10 Nov 2022 14:45

Tajikistan, Turkey agree to raise mutual trade to $1 bln

DUSHANBE. Nov 10 (Interfax) - Tajik Economic Development and Trade Minister Zavki Zavkizoda and Turkish Trade Minister Mehmet Mus have signed a roadmap intended to help bring trade between the two countries to $1 billion, the press service for Tajikistan's Economic Development and Trade Ministry said.

"A Tajikistan-Turkey trade forum took place during the visit. Two important documents were signed, a 2023-2025 roadmap to increase mutual trade between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Turkey and a memorandum between the Economic Development and Trade Ministry of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Turkey on free economic areas," the press service said.

These documents will help raise bilateral trade to $1 billion and to draw Turkish capital, it said.

"Even though bilateral trade grew by 21%, or to $391 million, in 2021, its volume cannot satisfy us given the extensive resources and capabilities of both sides," the press service quoted Zavkizoda as saying.

"Therefore, in order to develop trade and economic cooperation and bilateral investment, a proposal was put forth to establish joint industrial enterprises to produce textile products, aluminum, to process wool and leather, fruits and vegetables, to manufacture food products, detergents and construction materials by using the existing bilateral capacity in Tajikistan and by drawing investment from Turkey," he said.