Financing of priority projects in Tajikistan was discussed last Wednesday in Dushanbe at a meeting between the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, Zavki Zavkizoda, and the director of the Silk Road Fund of China, Cai Xiuyun.
During the meeting, Zavkizoda presented investment opportunities in Tajikistan in connection with the allocation of 26 billion yuan ($3.6 billion) by the Chinese government for financing projects in Central Asian countries, as reported by the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development.
The Minister proposed to discuss the financing of projects that had previously been submitted for consideration by the Chinese side, which was positively received. The projects discussed include:
- Modernization of the Tajik Aluminum Plant (TALCO);
- Construction of a solar power plant in the Asht district;
- Establishment of a textile enterprise in Dushanbe based on the Tajik Textile Production Association LLC;
- Creation of a logistics center in the Dangara district;
- Construction of a joint industrial-technological park;
- Construction of greenhouses in the Khatlon region;
- Rehabilitation of the Guliston-Kulyab highway;
- Rehabilitation of the Rushan-Varzob road.
It is worth noting that the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, announced plans in May of last year to provide gratuitous assistance in the amount of 26 billion yuan to strengthen development potential, reduce poverty, and create jobs in Central Asian countries.
According to the Committee on Investments of Tajikistan, China is the main investor in Tajikistan. The total volume of Chinese investments in the economy of Tajikistan (from 2007 to 2023) amounted to about $3.9 billion, part of which is in the form of gratuitous assistance.
Additionally, China is the main creditor of Tajikistan. According to the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan, the country's debt to China at the beginning of 2024 amounted to $900 million, which represents 27.8% of the country's total external debt.
In Tajikistan's foreign trade, China ranks second, behind only Russia. The total volume of Tajik-Chinese trade turnover in 2023 exceeded $1.5 billion, which is 24.2% higher than in 2022. Specifically, exports to China amounted to $313.8 million, while imports from China were around $1.2 billion.
The share of trade with China in the total volume of Tajikistan's foreign trade turnover was 18%.
