Co-chaired by Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma and Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian, the 14th session of the Tajikistan-Iran Joint Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation was held in Dushanbe on June 7, according to IRNA. 

Opening the session, Tajik energy minister reportedly noted that development of economic ties promotes further expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

“Our peoples share common history, language, culture and religion that creates a favorable basis for the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation,” Tajik energy minister said.

At the same time, he noted that there is still considerable room for expansion of Tajik-Iranian economic ties. 

Reza Ardakanian, for his part, noted that Iran was one of the first countries to officially recognize Tajikistan’s independence in 1991.  

He reportedly welcomed Tajikistan’s request for expanding Iran’s investment in Tajikistan’s industry. 

“Solving banking problems is a prerequisite for the development of Iranian investments.  One of important directions of expansion of trade cooperation between the two countries is the presence of banking relations between them and both sides need to take concrete steps in this direction,” Iranian minister noted.   

It was noted during the meeting that Tajikistan is interested in expanding bilateral cooperation with Iran in the fields of energy, road building, transportation, communications, education, science, culture, healthcare, industry and so forth.     

The meeting participants noted that a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Iran last year valued at US$57.7 million.  This consisted of Tajikistan’s exports to Iran estimated at US$9.4 million and Tajikistan’s imports from Iran worth US$48.4 million.

The share of Iran in an overall volume of Tajikistan’s foreign trade turnover is 1.3 percent.   

While in Ardakanian is also scheduled to meet with other Tajik officials to expand economic cooperation between the two countries, according to Iranian media reports.    

Prior to Tajikistan, Ardakanian reportedly visited Moscow and participated in the 24th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Co-chaired by the then Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources Usmonali Usmonzoda and Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian, the previous 13th meeting of Tajikistan-Iran Joint Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation took place in Tehran on December 2-6, 2019.  The meeting resulted in signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).  Both sides reportedly agreed to boost bilateral economic cooperation.  

Recall, Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda, who was on a working visit to Iran on June 1-3, said that Dushanbe seeks expansion of ties with Tehran.

While visiting the archeological site of Persepolis in Fars Province, south Iran, Rahimzoda reportedly highlighted Iranian and Tajik nations’ proximity and cooperation between the two countries, saying that this would make ties closer and broader.  He also said that the more the people of Iran and Tajikistan communicate with each other and limitations are decreased, the broader the ties among the two countries will be.