‘Tajikistan can cooperate with Pakistan to export electricity’
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi has said that the trade volume between Pakistan and Tajikistan is extremely low, which is around 3 million dollars, that needs to be increased.
Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry expressed these views on the visit of Saidov Saidbeg, Boykhonovich, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan. He said that the Tajikistan is the nearest Central Asian Estate to Pakistan but the trade between the two countries is not up to the mark. President said that both the government has exchanged high level official visits and signed various agreements to boost the trade between the two countries and emphasized on regular exchange of business delegation from both sides to gear up trade and economic activity.
He said that there must be increased interaction between the Private Sectors of both countries, which will give opportunities to understand each other’s markets. Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi said that since Tajikistan is a landlocked country, and it should take advantage of Pakistan being located in the closed vicinity and Gawadar Port to increasing its exports.
He said that Pakistan is exporting textile yarn and fabrics, articles of apparel and cloth accessories, pharmaceutical products, leather etc but both countries should get more benefits from each other and should look new avenue for cooperation.
President said that Pakistan is short of electricity and Tajikistan should help Pakistan in energy sector to overcome the energy crises. President stressed on the interaction of chambers of both countries, so as to work on enhancing trade between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
He invited Tajikistan business delegation to visit Pakistan for meetings with Pakistani businessmen. He said that there is lack of information on both sides on existing trade and investment opportunity and emphasized for regular exchange of information. Saidov Saidbeg Boykhonovich, Ambassador said that Tajikistan can help Pakistan to overcome energy crises.
He said that organizations like IMB, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, European Commission and UNDP are working on energy transmission line project via Phule-Khumri and Kabul areas to Pakistan.
He said that the electricity price in Tajikistan is very cheap and it is about 3 cents per kilowatts. Ambassador informed that 21 hydl-projects are under construction in Tajikistan including 3 big high power stations, which shall generate great amount of electricity, and Tajikistan would export electricity to neighbouring countries.
He said that Tajikistan has potential to export 1000 MW of electricity to Pakistan. Saidov Saidbeg said that Pakistan was given proposal for cooperation in high power station projects, but Pakistan did not response well on these proposals.
He said that Tajikistan is also working on liking Tajikistan with Central Asian states and Pakistan for more economic activity. Ambassador said that 5-star hotels are under construction and Tajikistan requires cement from Pakistan but right now there are illegal exports from Pakistan which needs to be checked and should come through regular channels.
He said that Tajikistan has the potential to export Alluminium to Pakistan because Tajikistan has good production of it. Ambassador said that both countries can also cooperate in agriculture sector as well. His Excellency said that there is difficulty in getting business visas for Tajik businessmen and Pakistan should relax visa policy.
He said that there should be direct flight between Tajikistan and Pakistan which will help facilitate in boosting trade.