DUSHANBE, June 13, Asia-Plus - Chinese investors are currently considering the possibility of participation in modernization of airports in Tajikistan.  

Nematullo Sohibov, the head of main civil aviation directorate of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), told Asia-Plus that China’s Main Civil Aviation Directorate deputy director general Yan Gotsin (phonetically spelled), heading a high-ranking delegation, will arrive in Dushanbe on June 18 for a four-day visit.

According to Sohibov, the main purpose of the visit is for the delegation to discuss the possibility of investing in modernization of airports in Tajikistan. 

During their stay in Tajikistan, the Chinese specialists are scheduled to hold talks with Transport and Communications Minister Abdurahim Ashurov and Tajik State Air Company TajikAir Director General Hokimsho Tilloyev.  The talks are expected to focus bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and China in the field of civil aviation and a progress of implementation of the Tajik-Chinese government-to-government agreement on aerial communication between the two countries that was signed during President Rahmon’s visit to Beijing in January 2007.  

“At present two air routes link Tajikistan to China: Dushanbe-Urumqi and Khujand-Urumqi” said Sohibov, “Our main goal is to increase number flights between our countries.”

Chinese specialists are also expected to discuss with Tajik national carrier of leasing China’s plane MA-60.  “The main problem impeding the issue is the fact that the Chinese aircraft does not have international certificate,” Sohibov said.  

We will recall that China’s State Aircraft Industry Company has offered Tajikistan’s State Air Company TajikAir two MA-60s for leasing.  Tajik specialists say MA-60s could replace Russian type An-24s on the domestic flights and air routes from Dushanbe to Kabul and Bishkek.

According to information posted on CHINAdaily site, MA-60, a regional aircraft, is newly developed and manufactured by China''s Xi''an Aircraft Industry Company.  The company fully owns the Intellectual Property Right of the aircraft.  With 60 seats, the regional plane has been proved to be safe, economical and comfortable.  China hopes the new type of aircraft can find its place in the international market.  The price of the MA-60 stands only about two thirds of the aircraft of the same kind made by foreign manufactures.  And the direct operation cost is 10 to 20 % lower.