Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank stated that they have reached a trade volume of $362 million with Tajikistan, “Tajikistan is our important trade partner in Central Asia. We have already left the previous year behind by reaching a trade volume of $362 million in the first 10 months of 2021,” and pointed out that the $1 billion trade volume target can be achieved.
Industry and Technology Minister Varank attended the ‘Tajik-Turkish Investment Business Forum’ held at the Selcuklu Congress Center in Konya. Speaking at the meeting accompanied by Tajikistan’s Minister of Industry and New Technologies Sherali Kabir, Minister Varank stated that the business volume with Tajikistan is increasing day by day and said, “Tajikistan is an important trade partner in Central Asia. We have already left the previous year behind by reaching a trade volume of $362 million in the first 10 months of 2021. The fact that our trade volume has increased even during the pandemic period shows us that we can easily reach the $1 billion trade volume target set by our esteemed presidents. However, for this, we need to tighten the ranks and increase our mutual investments. Our country’s investments in Tajikistan are $26 million, and the investment from Tajikistan to our country is $10 million. These numbers are far behind our expectations. Therefore, we have to cooperate in more fields and contribute more to our economies and the welfare of our peoples. With whom will we achieve this? Here are our brave entrepreneurs like you. Today, there is almost no continent without Turkish entrepreneurs, no market where Turkish products do not enter. All of our 81 provinces are exporters.”
‘WE HAVE SERIOUS TRADING POTENTIAL’
Mentioning that cooperation steps will be taken with Tajikistan within the scope of the meeting, Minister Varank said, “We will soon sign a memorandum of understanding to promote cooperation in the textile, ready-made clothing and fashion industries. Our chamber of industry and chamber of commerce will also sign various agreements with their Tajikistan counterparts today. Companies from the private sectors of the two countries will establish new collaborations in a wide range from construction to food, from biotechnology to pharmaceuticals. I would like to open a separate parenthesis for cooperation in the field of health. As you know, the global epidemic has shown us the importance of the health sector and our companies operating in this sector. In this period, Turkey proved once again that it is one of the strongest actors in the global health ecosystem with its capabilities in the field of pharmaceuticals and medical technologies. We have a serious trade potential with Tajikistan in this area. Hopefully, we will hold talks this month to evaluate possible collaborations in the fields of pharmaceuticals and health technologies.”
VISA RESTRICTION TO TAJIKISTAN RELEASED
Minister Varank also stated that the visa restriction between Turkey and Tajikistan will be lifted and said, “As of January, the visa restriction for Tajikistan will be lifted. Hopefully, with the positive steps to be taken mutually in terms of tax and logistics, your way will be opened even more. We will increase our trade volume to the level of $1 billion with such steps. We will achieve this by sharing our experiences, identifying new areas of cooperation, and opening up to new markets. I believe that we will easily reach this goal with the devoted work, new investments and projects of our valuable business people.”
After the speech of Tajikistan Minister of Industry and New Technologies Kabir, the textile and fashion industries agreement was signed.
Source: Sabah / Translated by Irem Yildiz