Iran willing to expand ties with Tajikistan
Tehran Times Economic Desk

DUSHANBE – Hamid Chitchian, Senior Deputy of the Energy Ministry, expressed Iran’s readiness to expand economic cooperation with Tajikistan.

In a meeting with Tajik Minister of Finance Safarali Najmiddinov in Dushanbe on Friday, Chitchian said that Iran is willing to expand ties with Tajikistan in the field of energy, adding that the Islamic Republic is ready to make investments in this regard.

The Iranian official highlighted the capacity and capability of Tajikistan in generating electricity and pointed out that if conditions are met Iranian engineers could build more power plants for Tajikistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network reported.

Chitchian went on to describe projects undertaken by the Iranian specialists in Tajikistan and pointed out that it is necessary that the Tajik side pay its dues in this regard, adding that Iran is ready to help Tajikistan by offering discounts to that country.

Meanwhile, Tajik Minister of Finance Safarali Najmiddinov emphasized the need for an expansion of cooperation between the two countries and explained the global economic crisis has caused an increase in the countries financial problems in the past year and stated that his country will pay its debts to Iran as soon as possible.

He said that the export of cotton and aluminum had decreased significantly during this time and called on the Iranian official to aid the Tajik government and people.

In 2006, Iran’s Sabir Company contributed $39 million worth of goods and services to help Tajikistan construct the Anzab tunnel, through which runs a road that connects Dushanbe and Khujand, Tajikistan’s first and second largest cities, respectively.

Iran has helped Tajikistan with the construction of the Sangtudeh 2 power plant project, contributing $180 million for the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011.

The two countries have also cooperated in a number of development and industry projects; bilateral trade between the two has risen from $40 million in 2000 to $140 million in 2007, making Iran one of Tajikistan’s top five trade partners.

In February 2009, Iran and Tajikistan agreed on the construction of a rail line that would link the two countries via Afghanistan.

In March 2009, Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan discussed the establishment of joint bank that is intended to lessen the effects of global economic instability in the region

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