To bolster Tajikistan's industrial prowess, officials from Tajikistan and China have inked an agreement aimed at revitalizing the nation's foremost industrial titan, the TALCO aluminum plant, Eurasianet reported.
The move comes as part of a broader cooperation program spanning 2025-26 between the two nations, announced at the conclusion of a high-profile visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
TALCO, often heralded as Tajikistan's economic linchpin, has been experiencing a steady uptick in production, registering a commendable 7 percent surge in aluminum output in 2023, totaling over 66,000 tons.
With projections indicating a further leap to 84,000 tons in 2024, the plant's economic director, Pavel Dyck, underscored the pressing need to address existing production bottlenecks, hinting at the imperative of securing an investor to augment growth.
The collaboration between China and Tajikistan extends beyond TALCO's modernization, encompassing ambitious infrastructural undertakings across the nation. Projects outlined in the pact include the enhancement of infrastructure in Dushanbe, the establishment of a logistics hub in Dangara - the hometown of President Emomali Rahmon - and the revamp of a crucial highway in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, pivotal for facilitating the transit of cargo bound for Europe originating from China.
Despite the optimistic rhetoric surrounding the agreement, details regarding construction timelines and the extent of financial aid remain sparse. While the protocol signifies a marked elevation in bilateral relations, the absence of specifics leaves room for speculation.
According to official Tajik data, bilateral trade between China and Tajikistan surged by 24% in 2023, reaching a total turnover of $1.5bn. However, the trade balance heavily favors Beijing.
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