Kazakhstan, Tajikistan sign agreements worth over $1 billion

Kazakhstan, Tajikistan sign agreements worth over $1 billion

Kazakhstan and Tajikistan signed agreements and contracts worth over $1 billion at the investment forum in Dushanbe. Both sides are interested in increasing their trade turnover. Last year, trade between the two countries exceeded $1 billion, and in the first half of 2024, it reached $464 million. One of the promising areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan is agriculture. The countries are ready to continue their cooperation in implementing joint export projects in the production, processing, and storage of agricultural and fruit and vegetable products.

«We will sign an agreement with the committee for food security on veterinary matters, as we annually supply live cattle and meat products here. In the first six months of 2024, we delivered 1,630 head of live cattle under the quota. The half-year quota is set at 60,000 head, and we are now increasing this figure to 85,000 head. In 20 days, following the complete digitization of the quota system, we will send the livestock here,» said Kazakh Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov.    

Another area for fruitful cooperation is the information technology sphere. Tajikistan has expressed interest in learning from Kazakhstan’s experience in creating a digital government.

«We are establishing an IT hub at Freedom Bank with several focus areas. One of our primary goals is to act as a bridge between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, enabling our developers to come and share their expertise on implementing the eGov platform in the Tajik market. Additionally, we plan to develop infrastructure for startups and fintech companies at the IT hub,» said Aidos Zhumagulov, a member of the Board of Directors at Freedom Bank.

Partnership in the field of water resources is a top priority for the two countries, experts say. Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are committed to cooperation in this area.

«Tajikistan has vast reserves of fresh water and glaciers, which also serve as water reservoirs. I believe that cooperation between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in glacier preservation could benefit all of Central Asia. Additionally, completing the construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant is strategically important for us, given our integration into the Unified Energy System of Central Asia. This project will also benefit Kazakhstan,» said Guzel Maitdinova, the Director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies in Tajikistan.