Azerbaijan intends to boost economic ties with Tajikistan
By Aynur Jafarova
Azerbaijan is interested in expanding and deepening multilateral economic relations with Tajikistan, including in the hydropower industry.
The news was announced by Azerbaijani ambassador in Dushanbe Abbasali Hasanov on January 6.
Speaking at a meeting with Tajik Energy and Water Resources Minister Usmonali Usmonov, the ambassador noted the importance of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon's visit to Azerbaijan in 2012, and informed the minister on measures conducted by the Azerbaijani embassy in Tajikistan.
Hasanov also noted the importance of the second meeting of Azerbaijani-Tajik intergovernmental commission on trade-economic and scientific-cultural cooperation in 2013 in Baku that resulted in signing a protocol.
He also spoke about Azerbaijan's economic development in the last decade, including in the field of using water resources and producing electric power.
Hasanov said some $150 billion was invested in Azerbaijan's economy in last 10 years, half of which fall to domestic investment.
Usmonov, in turn, informed the Azerbaijani ambassador of Tajikistan's experience and potential in the field of using the country's water resources.
He siad 60 percent of the water resources of Central Asia belong to Tajikistan, adding that Tajikistan fully ensures its own energy demand in summer, but faces power shortage in winter.
Usmonov went on to say that Tajikistan also exports part of its electric power to the neighboring Afghanistan.
The Tajik minister noted that each year Tajikistan constructs new small and medium-sized hydropower plants which meet the demand of the population and enterprises on electricity. The tenders for the construction of small and medium hydropower plants are attended by Chinese, Turkish, and European companies through the Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank.
"Azerbaijan can join these tenders as a member of these banks," Usmonov said.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on May 29, 1992. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan increased by 2.8 times and amounted to $44 million in 2012. The two countries have so far signed nearly 40 agreements, including free trade, promotion of mutual investments, and double taxation avoidance.