Tajikistan ready to purchase alumina from Azerbaijan, ambassador says

Tajikistan is prepared to purchase alumina from Azerbaijan to support its aluminium production sector, Tajik Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ilkhom Abdurakhmon has stated.

The diplomat said the two countries’ industry companies — TALCO and Azeraluminium — signed a cooperation agreement some time ago, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

According to Abdurakhmon, the issue was discussed during a meeting of the Azerbaijan-Tajikistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, held in Baku about a month ago at the deputy prime minister level.

“During the meeting, certain agreements were reached. This issue was discussed, and both sides demonstrated mutual interest, especially given that aluminium prices have risen recently. Taking logistical opportunities into account, the possibility of supplying aluminium to Azerbaijan may be explored in the near future. As far as I know, the Azerbaijani side has its own aluminium plant and produces the metal domestically. Nevertheless, there is demand for imported aluminium in Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan is always ready to export it at mutually acceptable prices,” Abdurakhmon noted.

The ambassador stressed that final decisions would be made by the companies themselves, as they are commercial entities that must independently assess the profitability of supplies, taking transportation and logistics costs into account.

“As for strategic cooperation in the industrial sector, the possibility of resuming operations at the Ganja Alumina Plant is also being considered. If its launch or modernisation begins next year, Tajikistan will be ready to purchase alumina from Azerbaijani partners. From a logistical standpoint, this is highly advantageous for us. I believe it would be an excellent step for importing alumina into Tajikistan while simultaneously exporting aluminium to Azerbaijan,” the ambassador added.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov