Tajikistan, S. Arabia discuss steps to broaden investment, technical, cultural cooperation

DUSHANBE. Nov 11 (Interfax) - Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Saudi Arabian Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih discussed steps to broaden investment, technical, and cultural cooperation at a meeting on the sidelines of an extraordinary Arab and Muslim summit in Riyadh opening on Monday, the Tajik presidential press service said.

"The Tajik president emphasized that the development of trade and economic ties is among the key avenues of cooperation. Regular meetings of the Tajik-Saudi Arabian intergovernmental commission, business forums and exhibitions, and the establishment of a Tajik-Saudi Arabian joint fund to finance investment projects were mentioned as beneficial," it said.

Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia have major potential for pursuing joint investment projects in the light, food, metallurgical, pharmaceutical, energy, and agricultural industries, it said.

Rahmon and al-Falih also listed the launch of direct flights between Dushanbe and Jeddah in March 2023 as a good step toward expanding mutually beneficial ties. They expressed the hope that direct flights would also be launched between Dushanbe and Riyadh, which should increase the number of tourist trips from Saudi Arabia to Tajikistan.

Rahmon arrived in Riyadh on a working visit on Sunday to take part in the Arab and Muslim summit. He is accompanied by the foreign minister, a presidential aide on foreign relations, the head of the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management, and other officials.