DUSHANBE (TCA) — Chinese investors are taking an active part in the development of free economic zones (FEZ) in Tajikistan, mainly investing in building production and logistics facilities, Avesta news agency reported with reference to the Tajik government.
Chinese companies are particularly active in the Danghara and Panj FEZs, where they are implementing projects to build industrial enterprises for production of oil products and building materials and processing of cotton, skins, and wool. They are using local raw materials.
It was earlier reported that Chinese investors planned to invest $150 million in three projects in the Panj FEZ in the Khatlon province in southern Tajikistan. These are the construction of two industrial enterprises and one logistics center. The Chinese will build a plant to produce glass (including construction glass) and a cotton-processing factory. Both enterprises are to be commissioned by the end of 2019.
Currently, there are four free economic zones in Tajikistan — Sughd in the Sughd province, Panj and Danghara in the Khatlon province, and Ishkoshim in the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region.
The Tajik FEZs provide preferential terms for economic, financial, trade, information, and other activities of their participants and offer incentives to investors, including preferences on taxation and customs procedures.
The Tajik FEZs have also attracted investors from Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Europe.