ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Tajikistan have agreed on a three-year roadmap aimed at increasing bilateral trade to $200 million, marking a significant step towards strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was reached during the 8th Session of the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, held in Dushanbe.
The meeting was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Minister for Energy, Power Division, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, and Tajikistan’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Jum’a Daler Shofaqir.
During the session, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across a range of sectors, including trade, agriculture, energy, tourism and regional connectivity.
They also agreed to facilitate greater business engagement through trade delegations, business-to-business (B2B) meetings and virtual networking platforms aimed at boosting bilateral commerce.
The two countries further welcomed the finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding between Tajikistan’s Agency for Export and Pakistan’s Trade Development Authority, a move expected to support trade promotion and enhance economic collaboration between the two nations.
Both sides also discussed a Preferential Trade Agreement to boost trade and commercial ties and agreed to continue discussions for its early finalisation.
The two countries agreed to enhance government-to-government procurement cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding between Tajikistan’s Agency for State Material Reserves and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the CASA-1000 project and confirmed their participation in the Joint Working Group meeting scheduled to take place in Istanbul later this month.
During the discussions, Tajikistan’s Minister for Energy and Water Resources expressed interest in exploring potential collaboration with Pakistan in the energy sector, including investment opportunities involving Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).
The two sides further agreed to finalise a comprehensive roadmap aimed at strengthening cooperation in agriculture, education, science and technology, reflecting their shared commitment to expanding bilateral ties across a broad range of sectors.
During the visit, the Minister for Power also called on Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda.
Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to the timely completion of the CASA-1000 project.
He further stressed operationalising direct flights between the two nations and making efforts for visa facilitation.
The two sides underscored the importance of developing sustainable trade and connectivity routes between the two countries.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining momentum through more frequent Joint Commission meetings and further deepening cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy, tourism, and connectivity.
