As part of his official visit to Egypt, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon yesterday met in Cairo with representatives of business and investment circles of Egypt.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Executive Director, General Authority for Investment and Free Zones of Egypt (GAFI), Saadi Qodirzoda, Chairman of the State Committee on Investment and State-owned Property Management of Tajikistan (GosKomInvest), and the Prime Minister of Egypt Mostafa Madbouly spoke at the beginning of the event.

Emomali Rahmon reportedly addressed the Forum of Entrepreneurs of Tajikistan and Egypt, which was held with the participation of the Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mostafa Madbouly.

President Rahmon called this meeting an important step towards the development and strengthening of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Egypt, and presented wide opportunities for cooperation and investment in Tajikistan to a broad range of Egyptian business and financial representatives.

Tajik leader stressed that the Government of Tajikistan is constantly taking necessary measures to improve the investment climate in the country.  At present, more than 90 investment projects worth more than US$4 billion are being implemented in the country.

“Our current legislation provides for more than 240 types of guarantees and benefits for investors, including more than 110 benefits and tax and customs exemptions,” said Rahmon.  “Our country's membership in the World Trade Organization and a number of international conventions on the protection of investors' rights also testify to the compliance of its legislation with international standards.”

It was also noted that to date, Tajikistan has established fruitful cooperation with all international financial institutions and has economic ties with 110 countries.  At present, our country has a developing multi-sectoral economy, which has all the necessary conditions and a favorable environment for doing business and investing.

Development and implementation of projects in the light and food industries, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemistry, construction materials and pharmaceuticals with the introduction of modern technologies and through the full processing of the country's raw materials, including minerals, agricultural products and medicinal plants, were named among priority areas.

Rahmon invited Egyptian investments in Tajikistan’s free economic zones.  

Speaking at the Forum, Tajik leader also expounded about the huge hydropower resources of Tajikistan, rich mineral resources, deposits of minerals, metals, precious stones, beautiful nature, favorable climate for growing vegetables, cultivating fresh and delicious fruits, and called on entrepreneurs to take advantage of investment opportunities in these areas.

Tajikistan has one of the largest reserves of drinking water and salt in the world.  The Government of Tajikistan is ready to support well-founded proposals of Egyptian investors to establish cooperation in these areas, Rahmon noted.   

11 cooperation agreements were reportedly signed as a result of the work of the Tajik-Egyptian Business Council.