Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province of Tajikistan hosts its first International Economic Forum with OSCE support

The first International Economic Forum in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO) of Tajikistan brought together international and local business representatives, as well as national policy makers from 30 to 31 August 2013 to discuss and promote economic opportunities of the region.

More than 200 participants from Switzerland, Austria, USA, Canada, China, Pakistan, Italy, Russia, the Netherlands, Iran, Afghanistan and Australia took part in the Forum that was the first of its kind ever held in the region. It took place in the cities of Khorog and Ishkashim, and focused on tourism, cross-border trade, business development and investment opportunities in the region.

"We are proud to co-chair and co-organize this important event in one of the most picturesque parts of the country,” said George Sand, Economic Officer at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. “The region has a great potential for economic growth through facilitation of trade, development of tourism and attraction of investors and entrepreneurs, and we trust the Forum will have a positive impact in these fields.”