DUSHANBE, April 19, 2013, Asia-Plus – Mr. Leigh Turner, Regional Director for Trade & Investment for Turkey, Central Asia and the South Caucasus, arrived in Dushanbe yesterday on a three-day visit.

Leigh Turner’s visit follows the visit of first ever UK trade mission to Tajikistan on 15-18 April.

According to the British Embassy in Dushanbe, Leigh Turner on April 18 met with the Head of State Committee on Investment and State-owned Property Management, Davlatali Saidov, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Sharif Rahimzoda, and State Advisor to the Tajik President for Economic Matters Farrukh Hamraliyev to discuss economic development in Tajikistan.

Leigh Turner also met with the Head of the Coordination Council of Business Associations of Tajikistan, Zayd Saidov.  Later that day the meeting with the CEO of Somon Air, Lloyd Paxton was held.

He also met with representatives of donor community to discuss donor progress on strengthening economic development.

Leigh Turner will visit Sughd province and during his visit, he will meet with regional governor, Qohir Rasoulzoda, visit Free Economic Zone in Sughd province and familiarize himself with VSO activities, and have a tour in training college.

It is also expected that Mr. Turner will visit the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) where he will be briefed about economic development of the region by AKDN representative.  He will meet with Pamir Energy representatives and also attend meeting on regional tourism.