Tajikistan - The Times Of Central Asia

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USAID Launches $18 Million Program to Boost Economic Growth in Tajikistan

On 18 April, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a new initiative to support long-term economic opportunities in Tajikistan. Running for five years at a cost of $18 million, Employment and Enterprise Development Activity (EEDA) will partner local firms to improve productivity in the fields of textiles, food processing and IT through the adoption of innovative, green technologies, increased investment, and market linkages. According to a report from the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan, the project will create 5,000 permanent jobs, assist 200 business start-ups in accessing finance, and leverage $10 million in private sector investment. In his address at the launch, USAID Tajikistan Mission Director Peter Riley stated, “It is crucial to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and create sustainable employment opportunities within the public and private entities. These partnerships underscore the shared goal of advancing Tajikistan’s economic landscape and ensuring prosperity for all stakeholders.”

Tajikistan Uzbekistan business

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Sign Allied Relations Treaty

On April 18, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan met Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan in Dushanbe, where the two leaders signed a Treaty on Allied Relations between their countries. Referring to Tajikistan as Uzbekistan’s closest, most reliable, and time-tested strategic partner, Mirziyoyev announced, “The fraternal Uzbek and Tajik peoples are inextricably linked by strong bonds of centuries-old friendship. We are brought together by common history, cultural and spiritual values, traditions, and customs.” He went on to emphasize the enormous significance of the Treaty on Allied Relations saying, “With this step, we confirmed our strong mutual commitment to an irreversible course towards deepening the multifaceted Uzbek-Tajik strategic partnership and alliance. Without any exaggeration, this important document will mark a new historical milestone in bilateral relations.” Adding that the Treaty takes Tajik-Uzbek relations to a qualitatively new level, President Rahmon stated, “This document will also become an important factor in strengthening peace and stability in our region – Central Asia” On the eve of Mirziyoyev’s visit, a Tajik-Uzbek business forum resulted in a solid portfolio of new cooperation projects and trade contracts in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, energy, mining, agricultural, textile and pharmaceuticals industries. During the Tajik-Uzbek talks it was reported that in recent years, bilateral trade turnover has increased 40-fold and the number of joint ventures has grown 15-fold. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have now raised the bar by setting a target to increase trade turnover to $2 billion by expanding the exchange of supplies and launching cross-border trade zones.

Central Asia Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Security

CSTO Says It’s Satisfied With Negotiations on Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Demarcation

The Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CTSO), Imangali Tasmagambetov, said in an interview with Tajik media that Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are managing to peacefully resolve their border conflict. "The will of the political leadership of the two countries made it possible not only to start and successfully carry out the delimitation of the state border, but also to reach a political solution to the problem," said Tasmagambetov. The problem of a common border between the two countries arose after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The two countries both laid claim to lands rich in water resources. Because of this, there are periodic conflicts between citizens of border villages and residents of enclaves. In some cases, domestic clashes have turned into armed clashes with the use of heavy weapons. One of the bloodiest episodes occurred in September 2022. Military and civilian infrastructure on both sides of the border was destroyed and hundreds of people were injured. The situation in the disputed territories is also monitored by the CSTO, of which Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are both members. Representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan meet once or twice a month to agree on the demarcation of the disputed section of the border. The heads of the national security services were also involved in negotiations. To date, the sides have agreed on about 800 kilometers of the common border from the previously disputed 975 kilometers. Kyrgyz authorities are making every effort to finally resolve the border issue. The head of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS), Kamchibek Tashiyev, commented: "In order not to repeat all this [fighting on the border] we need to resolve the border issue. We are working on it. God willing, we hope it will be resolved. We have found a common language, the work is going on in a good way. As soon as everything is resolved, we will open the border and live in good neighborly relations. Neighbors are not chosen. God gave us a neighbor, and we must live with him in peace and harmony."

Tajikistan Transport Central Asia Migration

Air Travel Between Tajikistan and Russia Rebounding After Terrorist Attack

Passenger traffic on flights between Tajikistan and Russia decreased after the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow on March 22, which Tajik members of the Islamic State (IS) are suspected of perpetrating. But the news site Avesta reports that the flow of passengers between the two countries is increasing again. Tajikistan's national airline Somon Air has commented: “Currently, we are observing an increase in the flow of passengers to and from the Russian Federation compared to two weeks ago. We hope that by the end of the month, the flow of passengers will be fully restored to the previous level.” Representatives of Somon Air mentioned that they didn't reduce the number of flights to Russian cities in the wake of the terrorist attack and subsequent political friction, and that the frequency of flights on some routes actually increased. The airline operates approximately 130–140 flights between Tajikistan and Russian cities per month.

Terrorism Migration Tourism Central Asia Tajikistan Transport

Tajik Citizens Now Banned From Entering Georgia

Citizens of Tajikistan have been banned from entering Georgia since the end of March, according to a report from Tajikistan's Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty affiliate Radio Ozodi. The reason for this ban has not been announced. There is a visa-free travel regime between the two countries. On April 14, Radio Ozodi's editors received a video of more than 10 Tajik citizens complaining about not being allowed into Georgia. “I came to Georgia to submit documents to the embassy, I showed all the documents, but they didn’t let me in,” one person said in the video. When asked about the reasons denying entry to citizens of Tajikistan, a Georgian border guard replied: “no explanation.” After the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall near Moscow on March 22, which several citizens of Tajikistan are accused of perpetrating, the attitude towards Tajik citizens has changed in many countries of Eurasia. Turkey recently canceled its visa-free regime with Tajikistan. In response, the Tajik government canceled the visa-free regime for Turkish citizens.

Russia Uzbekistan Migration Security Terrorism Tajikistan

Migrant Laborers in Russia Deprived of Free Medical Care

Citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan working in Russia will not be able to count on free medical care until 2026 within the framework of compulsory medical insurance (CMI), according to a report by the Ministry of Health of Russia. Based on agreements with the republics, citizens can be employed only if they acquire voluntary medical insurance (VMI) policies or with the employer's guarantee to pay for medical care at his or her own expense. Migrants can only receive free emergency medical care. The Crocus City Hall terrorist attack prompted the Russian Interior Ministry to take a number of restrictive measures relating to migrants. Among the planned changes are a reduction in the term of temporary stays by foreigners to 90 days per calendar year, introduction of mandatory biometric identification at entry, and the creation of digital profiles for foreigners. There are also more radical proposals. For example, Sergei Mironov, chairman of the Just Russia - For Truth political party, said that he believes it's necessary to introduce a visa regime between Russia and Central Asian countries. Labor migrants remain one of the most vulnerable parts of the population, and Uzbekistan has in recent years taken a number of measures to protect their interests both inside and outside the country. A recent decree by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev provides for reimbursement of expenses for taking qualification exams in foreign languages and professional trades of up to $80, for applying for a work visa of up to $134, and for buying travel tickets of up to $53. In addition, migrants are provided with subsidies for insurance for the migrant laborer and his or her family members, as well as guaranteed free medical examinations for them. Workers abroad whose rights may have been violated can count on free legal counsel. They can also contact 24-hour migrant support call centers in case of difficult situations. The Ministry of Employment of Uzbekistan is currently negotiating the opening of representative offices or centers in Great Britain (London), Germany (Berlin), Turkey (Istanbul) and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) to provide legal assistance to migrant workers. The state employs workers returning from labor migration or provides subsidies to start their own businesses.