The Turkmen-Tajik Business Council in Dushanbe Cements the Growth Trend of Mutual Trade
The second meeting of the Turkmen-Tajik Business Council was held in Dushanbe on July 7. Heads of ministries and agencies, as well as over 35 delegates from the private sector, including representatives of 20 leading Turkmen companies, attended the meeting. The meeting, co-chaired by heads of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries, Mergen Gurdov and Farkhodshhoh Rahmonalizoda, aimed to practically implement the agreements reached by the two countries' top leadership to elevate their economic partnership to a qualitatively new level.
Despite the strong growth trend, the current level of trade and economic ties does not yet fully reflect the countries' true potential. By the end of 2025, foreign trade between the two countries increased by 17%, and from January to April 2026, trade turnover demonstrated rapid growth, increasing 2.2-fold compared to the same period last year. Traditionally, high-quality petroleum products, plastics, and construction materials constitute the bulk of Turkmen imports to Tajikistan, while the Tajik side exports aluminum profiles. As Farkhodshhoh Rahmonalizoda noted in his speech, the key objective of the Business Council today is to promote further trade diversification and a manifold increase in mutual trade.
In turn, Mergen Gurdov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, emphasized the Turkmen business community's strong interest in effectively leveraging the Business Council's capabilities. Major industrial, chemical, and logistics companies in Turkmenistan are striving to strengthen direct contacts with their Tajik partners and are ready to implement joint investment projects in Tajikistan.
During industry presentations, the Turkmen delegation thoroughly acquainted participants with their country's transport, logistics, and investment potential. The Tajik side presented the opportunities offered by free economic zones (FEZs), where residents enjoy a simplified tax regime, as well as the benefits of the state's one-stop-shop system to support foreign investors.
Following the official session, members of the Business Council held a series of direct B2B negotiations, during which entrepreneurs from Turkmenistan and Tajikistan discussed specific parameters of future commercial agreements and joint production initiatives.
