Tajikistan sees transit of Azerbaijani goods to China as promising

Transit of goods from Azerbaijan to China through Tajikistan is one of the promising areas of cooperation.

The statement was made by Tajikistan’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Solehzoda Ashurboy Abdulvahid, according to Trend.

"We also see the potential for cooperation in the transit of goods from Tajikistan through Azerbaijan to European countries. Tajikistan is striving to become a transit country. Tajikistan is located on part of the Silk Road, and supports China's ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative. Tajikistan's location is favourable for the transit of goods to China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and other countries," the deputy minister said.

He also emphasised Tajikistan's growth opportunities in the textile, agricultural and food industries, mining and subsoil exploration, noting that these areas could be of particular interest to investors from Azerbaijan.

The deputy minister noted the thoroughness of the implementation of investments for the distribution of aluminium in Tajikistan, the export of aluminium from Tajikistan to Azerbaijan and the export of alumina (synthetically produced aluminium oxide).

An important aspect of cooperation is the support of benefits for the transit of goods, especially aluminum and concentrates from Tajikistan through the territory of Azerbaijan, Solehzoda said.

According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan from January through September 2023 amounted to $4,534 million, an increase of 15.01 per cent compared to the same period in 2022 ($3,942 million).