A delegation from the Belgian region of Flanders is currently visiting Dushanbe for official meetings aimed at expanding cooperation with Tajikistan. The visit, which began on August 11 at the invitation of the Dushanbe city authorities, will continue through August 16. The Flemish delegation is led by Jill Willems Suetens, head of the Protocol and Administrative Department.
Focus Areas: Industry, Innovation, and Investment
Talks are centered around collaboration in the light and textile industries, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, food production, and artificial intelligence. Tourism and trade, meanwhile, have been highlighted as key priorities.
The Belgian side has been invited to take part in upcoming events organized by the Ministry of Industry and the Dushanbe Invest 2025 International Investment Forum, scheduled for October.
During their visit, the Flemish representatives have held meetings with senior officials from the Dushanbe city administration, the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, the State Committee for Investment, the National Academy of Sciences, the Committee for Tourism Development, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Smart City State Unitary Enterprise, and the International University of Tourism and Entrepreneurship.
The State Committee for Investment presented Tajikistan’s potential to foreign investors, emphasizing tourism and trade as sectors with high growth prospects.
To gain a deeper understanding of the country’s history and culture, the delegation is also visiting prominent sites such as the National Museum, the Kohi Navruz palace complex, the Central Mosque, the Plov culinary center, the Mehrgon market, the Gissar Fortress, and the Varzob region. The cultural itinerary aims to promote Tajikistan’s tourism offerings and foster deeper exchange.
Flanders: An Economic Powerhouse
Flanders is one of Belgium’s primary industrial and commercial hubs and is home to the country’s largest ports, Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, and Ostend. The region has a population of 6.8 million, comprising 58% of Belgium’s total population.
In 2024, Flanders ranked 15th globally by export volume. Its main export commodities include chemical products, pharmaceuticals, transport vehicles, textiles, machinery, fruit, plastics, and precious stones.
Trade between Tajikistan and Flanders surpassed €108 million in 2024. Tajikistan accounted for €102.36 million in exports, while Flanders exported €5.73 million worth of goods to Tajikistan.
