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The government is taking step-by-step actions to improve the investment climate and carry out reforms. — Davlatali Saidov, chairman of the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management
of our territory, these exist as integrated metals.” In fact, some new opportunities are already up for grabs — such as the Koni Mansuri Kalon deposit, containing an estimated 50,000 metric tons of silver. “We started doing business in Tajikistan in 1993, and we are in the midst of doubling production and setting up a state-of-the-art smelter so that we can produce antimony metal in Tajikistan,” said Michael Bollag, president of New Jersey-based Comsup Commodities Inc., which specializes in the mining, processing, and distribution of metals and minerals. The proximity of China and its insatiable appetite for natural resources makes it a prime customer and partner for such projects. According to Bollag, “most of our product goes to China, which we truck to Khujand and then by rail across Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.” Meanwhile, domestically the appetite for quality consumer goods is certainly present in Tajikistan, although official distribution networks to bring foreign commodities to local Tajiks remain spotty. While visiting stores, The Washington Diplomat did find Coca-Cola sodas produced in Afghanistan, Procter & Gamble shampoos from Pakistan, and various other brands from Russia, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere. The completion of roads and rail networks will allow the country to import an even greater variety of goods while lowering prices. Similarly, more hydroelectric plants will guarantee uninterrupted manufacturing capacity. With more than 70 percent of its population living in rural areas, Tajikistan depends heavily on agriculture and on its main export: cotton. Agriculture Minister Kosim Kosimov, noting that only 650,000 hectares of Tajik territory is irrigated, said the country must boost yields and acquire more farm equipment urgently. “We need 14,000 tractors but we have only 5,000,” he said, adding that his nation also needs fertilizers as well as seeds that produce higher yields. Despite its landlocked status, Tajikistan has many lakes, and assistance in developing fisheries and livestock breeding could be extremely beneficial for the country. Among the top consumers of Tajikistan’s cotton is Nassoji Tojik, the nation’s leading producer of garments, linens and medical supplies. “We provide premises, cheap labor, cotton and electricity, so it is very profitable to establish a joint venture in Tajikistan,” said Anvar Kurbanov, the company’s chairman. Nassoji Tojik already exports to more than 20 countries, but Kurbanov said he’d like to increase the quality of Nassoji Tojik’s fabrics and threads by installing new technology and equipment in now-idle factories. Finally, some words of investment advice from Bollag, the U.S. mining executive: “One needs to be patient, as things do not always move as quickly as one would like. If you’re not short-sighted and treat people fairly, Tajikistan can be a great place to do business, with plenty of opportunities and a very friendly business environment. It is also very useful to have a local office and management team.”
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ABOVE, EMPLOYEE OF TEXTILE COMPANY NASSOJI TOJIK; LEFT, ALUMINUM BARS AT THE TAJIK ALUMINUM COMPANY (TALCO). HYATT IS THE FIRST WORLDWIDE CHAIN SETTING FOOT IN TAJIKISTAN
Many opportunities can be developed within the framework of international initiatives to reduce poverty and to develop energy and transportation infrastructures. LIST OF NEEDS: Agriculture: tractors; water pumps possibly activated through solar panels and related spare parts, drop irrigation & water saving technology; raw cotton processing equipment; fertilizers, seeds and technology to increase yields Construction: construction materials (cement, etc) Consulting Services: business, management and capacity building development Education: online courses Energy: small and medium HPPs;
April 2011
transmission lines; low consumption electricity bulbs; electricity generators and meters Food Processing: food packaging processing lines and equipment Healthcare: drinking water filtration & purification equipment
ALISHER RUSTAMOV, GENERAL DIRECTOR OF SOMON AIR
Mining: mining equipment Security: border guards & customs control equipment Transportation: road maintenance equipment and airport rehabilitation Financing Services: financing for all of the above SPONSORED REPORT
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