KHUJAND, June 9, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- A delegation of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic yesterday visited the Sughd Free Economic Zone (FEZ) in northern Tajikistan.

The delegation, led by the Senate Deputy Chairman Premysl Sobotka, held talks with local entrepreneurs to discuss ways of establishing mutually beneficial cooperation.

During the meeting with the Sughd FEZ management, the Czech senators were interested in terms of getting land within the free economic zone for construction of enterprises.  They were also interested in the level of professionalism of local engineers if they are needed for working with joint ventures in the area.

The guests also asked to provide assistance with opening of direct air communication between Dushanbe and Prague.  Currently, people fly from Prague to Dushanbe via Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Yesterday, the Sughd FEZ head Anvar Yoqubov handed over certificates to two new entities of the free economic zone in Sughd province – Tajik-Turkish joint venture, Silokat Boya, dealing with production of building materials and closed joint-stock company, Adm-Air, engaged in repairing Russian type non-combat helicopters MI-8, MI-8MTB, and MI-172.  A hangar for four helicopters is expected to be built soon, the source said.

The Sughd FEZ has functioned since August 18, 2009, and 14 enterprises are now entities of this free economic zone.