‘Tajikistan keen to improve trade ties with Pakistan’

LAHORE: Tajikistan is keen to further strengthen trade and economic ties with Pakistan, a statement said on Saturday.
Private sectors of both the countries should work hand-in-hand to tap the huge potential exist in Tajikistan and Pakistan, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan Sherali S Jononov said.
Talking to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ijaz A Mumtaz at the LCCI office, the ambassador said a number of Pakistani companies belonging to pharmaceutical, agriculture and livestock sectors are doing good business.
Bilateral trade between the two countries could be flourished through exchange of trade delegations and holding of single country exhibitions, he said, adding, China and Iran are used to hold single country exhibitions in Tajikistan; therefore, the LCCI should take lead in this regard.
He said he is ready to arrange B2B meetings of Pakistani businessmen in Tajikistan provided the LCCI arranges a delegation.
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president said Pakistan and Tajikistan have good diplomatic relations and enjoy historical bonds of brotherhood, but these ties are hardly reflected in the two-way trade.
He expressed the hope that with the implementation of CASA 1000, which is an important project of the World Bank, a new era of economic cooperation will take place.
This will also lead to lay foundation for greater trade between the two countries, he said.
Mumtaz said the Trilateral Transit Trade Agreement among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, which is presently at the initial stage, has the potential to bring these countries much close to each other.