The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe supports economic connectivity in Central Asia

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe contributed to the development of regional economic connectivity by supporting the annual International Economic Forum “Sughd-2018” which took place on 11 October 2018 in Khujand, northern Tajikistan. This year, the forum was dedicated to the achievements and tenth anniversary of the Free Economic Zones (FEZs) in Tajikistan.

At the International Economic Forum, the Government of Tajikistan hosted 500 entrepreneurs and foreign business entities from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan to discuss co-operation and perspective projects.

A special session was dedicated to maximising the potential of FEZs, with best practices shared by neighbouring countries, as well as visit to three local companies operating in the Sughd FEZ. The Forum concluded with the signing of a memorandum of collaboration between Sughd FEZ and its counterpart in Ontustik, Kazakhstan.  

Edward Safaryan, Economic Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, said in his opening remarks: “Tajikistan’s FEZs host leading local companies that are capable to move the country’s international economic growth forward. The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe is proud to support the country’s FEZs to expand their potential.”

The annual International Economic Forum was organized and co-ordinated by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan. It was supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, UNDP Tajikistan and the mobile phone operator Megafon Tajikistan.