ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Embassy of Tajikistan in Pakistan in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan would organize a four-day Pak-Tajik Trade and Cultural Festival 2016 starting from April 7 to 10 in Dushanbe.
“It is a good opportunity for Pakistani businessmen to participate in the festival to show potential of their products to Tajik customers and promote trade and exports with Tajikistan,” Jononov Sherali, Ambassador of Tajikistan said while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) here Thursday.
He said the festival would encompass exhibition of Pakistani products, briefings and seminars on opportunities by ministries, business networking gatherings, meetings, cultural programs, Pak-Tajik fashion shows.
He said Pakistani businessmen could exhibit many products in the trade festival including textiles, clothing, construction, building material, home appliance, furniture, general machinery, equipment, agricultural products and machinery, healthcare products, food products and processing machinery, IT products and services, sports items, leather goods, fashion and beauty products, printing, packaging besides tourism and culture.
He said Tajikistan had established four Free Economic Zones and Pakistani investors have good potential to promote their exports to Central Asia and Europe by setting up production plants in Tajikistan.
He assured that his Embassy would facilitate the businessmen in participating in the Trade and Cultural Festival 2016.
Speaking at the occasion, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, ICCI said that Pakistan and Tajikistan could complement each other in many areas as Tajikistan could export hydro power to Pakistan.
He said Pakistan could export many products to Tajikistan including pharmaceuticals, food, agriculture, textiles and others.
However, the bilateral trade of US$ 2.1128 in 2011-12 between the two countries was negligible, he added.
He said the major hurdle in promoting bilateral trade was the non-availability of cost effective transportation system for Pakistani exporters to send their cargo to Tajikistan.
He said both countries should focus on establishing direct air, roads and railways links.
He said Tajikistan should make visa policy easier for Pakistani businessmen and bring down high tariffs to improve bilateral trade relations.
He said both countries should accelerate efforts for timely completion of CASA 1000 transmission line and early finalization of PTA to create conducive conditions for trade promotion.
He hoped that the Festival would help in exploring new avenues of mutual cooperation between the two countries.
