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A new jewelry factory operated by China-Tajikistan Mining Industry Company LLC officially opened in Dushanbe on April 10. The inauguration ceremony was attended by President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan. Construction of the facility began in 2023. The complex now includes modern production facilities and a two-story gold sales center. Utilizing the latest Chinese technology, the factory is capable of processing up to one ton of gold and 30 tons of silver annually. It will also produce a variety of goods, including jewelry, home decorations, and household items. On the same day, President Rahmon laid the foundation stones for two additional jewelry factories, also backed by Chinese investment. One will be operated by TBEA Dushanbe Mining Industry Company LLC, and the other by Pakrut Company LLC. Both are slated for completion within a year and will be located in Dushanbe. China currently controls over 75% of Tajikistan’s gold production. While Chinese investment has helped develop Tajikistan’s mining infrastructure, it has also raised concerns. Critics point to potential environmental risks and labor rights issues associated with the expanding influence of Chinese firms in the sector.
At a government meeting on June 19, plans to further develop Uzbekistan’s jewellery industry, support production and increase exports were presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Noting the country’s huge potential for increasing the production and export of jewellery, the president said that just 6 percent of the gold mined in Uzbekistan is processed, and exports of finished products from gold amount to only $78 million. He thus emphasized the importance of creating jewellery zones equipped to attract entrepreneurs, a review of supplies of raw materials to the industry, and training specialists in the field. With reference to the above, the head of state issued instructions for a program to be developed to enhance the domestic jewellery industry until 2027. The meeting also discussed piloting special jewellery centres with production, exhibition and trading areas in Tashkent and the Namangan region. The government is considering establishing, until October 1, 2026, a zero rate of customs duty and value added tax on equipment, packaging and labelling materials used, but not produced, in Uzbekistan in the jewellery industry. An additional proposal was mooted to establish a zero-customs duty rate for the export of Uzbek jewellery to the USA. In January-March 2024, Uzbekistan exported gold worth $2.66 billion. In the first quarter of the year, revenues from gold exports comprised 41.7% of the country’s total exports. In 2023, gold exports accounted for 33.4%, or $8.1 billion, of Uzbekistan’s total export volume.