#TajikistanTheWorldfolio Our World #TheWorldfolio Friday, March 20, 2015 Tajikistan This supplement to USA TODAY was produced by United World Ltd., Suite 179, 34 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0RH – Tel: +44 (0)20 7305 5678 – [email protected] – www.unitedworld-usa.com Stable and strategic at the crossroads of Asia Located at the heart of the Eurasian land mass, Tajikistan is ideally placed for promoting regional stability and economic growth

ollowing a civil war “Harnessing our and successful strug- substantial hydropower gle against terrorism potential will ensure the during the 1990s, the free flow of water and Republic of Tajikistan energy between the has emerged with a consistently countries of the region, growingF economy and an ever- and thus, thanks to improving standard of living. further sustainable Despite upsets in the global development of the economy, the country contin- ues to develop, and as it does so, region, solve a number play an important role in stabi- of important socio- lizing both Afghanistan and the economic issues” wider region. A crucial resource that the Emomali Rahmon, country is able to leverage on President of Tajikistan is water. It is in fact one of the most water-rich countries in the world and the source of more than half of the region’s fresh water supplies. As Tajiki- countries of the region, and stan develops its hydroelectric- thus, thanks to further sustain- able development of the re- gion, solve a number of impor- “We are working tant socio-economic issues. to strengthen In this context it is vital to security, continue consider the situation in the our path of positive region as a whole and in Tajiki- and progressive stan, particularly in the direct development, reform relationship between geopo- various sectors of litical influence and energy fac- tors. Today energy resources economy, raise the are of great importance and standard of living, ensuring efficient, reliable and and drive the gradual safe energy supply meets the transition leading to the realities of the present time. growth of Tajikistan’s Thus the rational and effec- middle class” tive use of water along with integrated water resources management in the region will Emomali Rahmon, lead to poverty reduction and President of Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon an increase in irrigated land, Photo: Press Service of the Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan as well as decrease security threats because of economic revival, develop the industrial ity generation and transmis- to-day, socio-economic factors “Implementing necessary measures (WTO). In this regard, we have base of the region, and pro- sion capacity, for both its own that affect our people. By doing to improve the investment climate and made maximum efforts to en- mote investment due to low benefit and that of neighboring this, the Republic of Tajikistan allow private sector development has sure the competitiveness of our electricity prices. countries, it also plays a leading has succeeded in raising the been a priority for our government. domestic economy, as well as to As far as generation is con- role on the global stage as a pro- living standards of the popula- Thus we have made reforms to promote improve the investment climate cerned, an important recent ponent of international water tion and significantly reducing the development of entrepreneurship and enter the global market. achievement was a positive as- cooperation. These issues con- poverty – something that we sessment from the World Bank and the growth of the private sector. tinue to become more impor- are proud of. What is Tajikistan’s ap- regarding the construction of The World Bank has acknowledged tant with the effects of climate Every year new jobs are proach to the overlapping the Rogun hydropower plant. change and the growth of the created, infrastructure is im- this and rated Tajikistan as the issues of water, energy and This hydroelectric facility is of world’s population. proved, and schools and hos- most-improved country when it comes security in Central Asia? great economic importance In an exclusive interview pitals upgraded in Tajikistan. to ease of doing business, for 2014” Central Asia, because of its because, in addition to produc- with United World, the Presi- Critically, our government is geographical location and the ing clean energy, it will allow us dent of Tajikistan, Emomali making every effort to improve Emomali Rahmon, influence of other countries, to begin the rehabilitation pro- Rahmon, discusses the coun- the population’s access to key President of Tajikistan is subject to various types of cess of the country’s industry. try’s economy and its develop- utilities, including clean drink- risks. The most dangerous As a matter of fact, Rogun will ment over recent years, as well ing water and uninterrupted risks are not extremism and be a factor for integration and as water, energy and security power supply. international terrorism, but economic development of the issues affecting both Tajikistan This has been done in ac- Despite global economic ment of settlements, located pre-existing factors that can whole region. and Central Asia as a whole. cordance with the national de- issues affecting both the inter- on both sides of the border, by cause conflict, including water In line with sharing electric- velopment strategy concluding national and domestic labor offering opportunities for trade. resources management, poor ity with our neighbors, we are How would you describe Ta- this year. Based on this, we are market, the country has created Implementing necessary socio-economic development, also working on a project to jikistan’s strategy for nation- at the present moment finaliz- 870,000 new jobs over the past measures to improve the in- and illegal drug trafficking. construct a power transmission al development and what are ing a new 15-year national de- five years. In the near future vestment climate and allow The rational, regional use of line. This initiative, known as the key economic achieve- velopment plan as a framework we aim to create an additional private sector development has water is fundamental based on the Central Asia-South Asia- ments of recent years? for advancement until the year 250,000 jobs. been a priority for our govern- the fact that the Central Asian 1000 project (CASA-1000) is a During the years follow- 2030. This will guide all aspects We also have to face tough, ment. Thus we have made re- states share common water major development in the elec- ing independence, Tajikistan of the development of the Re- competitive market conditions. forms to promote the develop- supplies. This affects the en- tricity market of Central and passed through a difficult public of Tajikistan at both na- To meet this challenge, we have ment of entrepreneurship and ergy situation directly because South Asia. CASA-1000 has transition. However, thanks to tional and local levels. attached great importance to the growth of the private sector. we have great untapped hydro- been approved by the World the persistence and hard work Our main focus for econom- the rehabilitation of a com- The World Bank has acknowl- power potential that can grow Bank, and when completed will of its people, the country has ic policy is to ensure the stable petitive and efficient national edged this and rated Tajikistan not only our economy, but also allow the export of electricity achieved significant results in development of the national industry. This has necessitated as the most-improved country those of nearby countries in- surplus during summer from establishing national security, economy, based on three main the renewal of industrial enter- when it comes to ease of doing cluding Afghanistan and Paki- Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to promoting social stability, en- strategic goals: breaking the prises in order to provide favor- business, for 2014. stan. Thus, achieving positive Afghanistan and Pakistan. couraging economic develop- communication deadlock, en- able conditions for manufactur- We have given priority to the results in terms of water use Due to such projects, in the ment, ensuring national unity, suring energy independence, ing and entrepreneurship. implementation of investment will support energy growth near future the Republic of and raising the population’s and guaranteeing food security. Today, the Republic of Ta- projects using modern tech- and economic security, and in Tajikistan may well become a standard of living. Thanks to the realization jikistan is making every effort nology that are export oriented turn allow countries of the re- regional energy center. Com- Today our main task is to of economic reforms in the to create a transport corridor and environmentally friendly. gion to develop other sectors bining significant hydropower build on these achievements in country, we have managed to in the region, which will grant Today, with the view to en- of vital importance. potential, competent manage- order to ensure their continuity. increase the production level us further access to South Asia suring sustainable economic Tajikistan itself does not ment, and effective foreign pol- We are working to strengthen of industrial and agricultural through Afghanistan. development, a number of have sufficient hydrocarbon icy will lead us to a new stage of security, continue our path of outputs, raise the volume of in- In this regard we are also free economic zones have energy reserves to grow its economic development. This positive and progressive devel- vestment, and achieve sustain- making a contribution to the been created in Tajikistan. economy. Harnessing our sub- will finally lead to a change of opment, reform various sectors able development of Tajikistan’s development of border areas They have been designed to stantial hydropower potential intra-regional relations and of economy, raise the standard economy. If we look at 2013 we with Afghanistan. During re- give a powerful impetus to will ensure the free flow of subsequent economic develop- of living, and drive the gradual can see the results. Our coun- cent years, five bridges con- further development. water and energy between the ment across Central Asia. transition leading to the growth try’s GDP growth was main- necting Tajikistan to Afghani- Realizing the necessity of of Tajikistan’s middle class. tained at 7.4%, the population’s stan have been built. On the international trade integration, A UNITED WORLD SUPPLEMENT PRODUCED BY: The key reforms carried out income increased by 16.5%, Tajik side of the border there on the March 2, 2013, Tajikistan Marko Rankovic, Loucky Spit, Olga Goldin and in the Republic of Tajikistan are and the average monthly salary are cross-border markets. officially became a member of Leandro Cabanillas focused on improving the day- grew by 20%. These promote the develop- the World Trade Organization

Our World Insert is produced by United World. USA Today did not participate in its preparation and is not responsible for its content 2 Friday, March 20, 2015 Distributed by USA TODAY TAJIKISTAN A history of effective cooperation

Tajikistan and the U.S. have successfully worked ghanistan, which shares a ment agencies,” explains terrorism and established “The Republic of together to address development issues and promote 800-mile border with Ta- Ramazon Rakhimzoda, national unity during the Tajikistan is committed regional security for more than two decades jikistan. Partnership in this Minister of Internal Af- 1990s, Tajikistan has first- to pursuing a balanced area has increased steadily fairs, head of the govern- hand experience in the is- and pragmatic foreign following the September 11 ment body responsible for sues currently facing Af- policy, and it has to be ajikistan pur- diately embroiled in a civil terrorist attacks. overall domestic security. ghanistan. As its immediate free of any unilateral “This tragic event “The U.S. State Department neighbor, Tajikistan also sues a multi- war that lasted until 1997, approaches” vector foreign which included a difficult brought us closer, and we and the U.S. embassy in Du- has a strong stake in work- policy. It seeks struggle against radical Is- started to see opportunities shanbe constantly provide ing with the U.S. to ensure strong coop- lamist elements. for cooperation,” explains technical support which the development of a pros- Emomali Rahmon, eration not only within Despite the difficulties Farhod Salim, Tajikistan’s grants solid assistance in perous, peaceful society in President of Tajikistan Tthe Central Asia region, faced by the country at this Ambassador in Washington the fight against crime as Afghanistan. regardless of alliances or time, diplomatic engage- D.C. “The U.S. is doing a lot well as terrorism, religious According to Mr. Aslov, political ideology, but also ment between the U.S. and of work in different areas in extremism, the drug trade “Tajikistan cooperates with does so internationally. The Tajikistan moved at a rela- the country, such as aiding and human trafficking. The the United States in or- forms aimed at creating a government of Tajikistan tively fast pace. Relations us in the fight against ter- staff of our law-enforce- der to provide assistance favorable investment en- cooperates equally with were formally established rorism, assisting and train- ment bodies use equipment in solving the problems of vironment in top priority regional and global pow- on February 14, 1992, less ing border patrol as well as provided by the U.S., almost Afghanistan. In particular, areas of the economy have ers without providing dis- than half a year after in- local law enforcement and on a daily basis.” facilitating the transit of been instituted,” elaborates proportionately favorable dependence, and the U.S. fighting against drug and Approximately 30 agree- non-military ISAF cargo in Ambassador Salim. “The terms to one country to the embassy was opened in the human trafficking.” Due to ments related to military Afghanistan is not only fa- “open doors” foreign policy detriment of another. Tajik capital, Dushanbe, the the overlap between fight- cooperation, counter ter- vorable from an economic of Tajikistan expresses a following month. ing terrorism, transnational rorism, fighting narcotics point of view for our state, willingness to develop and As Sirodjiddin Aslov, crime and ensuring border trafficking and economic but also contributes to the improve commercial and Tajik-U.S. Relations Minister of Foreign Af- security, much of this col- development have been restoration of stability in political relations with the In accordance with this fairs recalls, “From the first laboration is focused on signed between Tajikistan Afghanistan and the cre- countries of both the East foreign affairs strategy, Ta- days of independence of supporting and working and the U.S. since inde- ation of a market in the di- and the West. Much legis- jikistan and the U.S. work Tajikistan, the U.S. has es- together with the domestic pendence. In accordance rection of North-South.” lation has been introduced closely together, with re- tablished friendly relations security services of Tajiki- with cooperation in mili- Economic development by the parliament of Tajiki- lations largely defined and has provided valuable stan. This includes the na- tary matters, Tajikistan has is seen as paramount to de- stan that allows for direct by close cooperation in a technical and humanitar- tional police force, border played an important logis- veloping a sustainable fu- foreign trade and invest- number of areas including: ian assistance in overcom- guards and drug enforce- tical role in supporting ture for Afghanistan. This ment. Everybody has equal military security, counter- ing difficulties experienced ment agencies. It is part of the International Security is something on which Ta- rights to do business in Ta- terrorism, anti-narcotics by our country at the initial a wider bilateral agreement Assistance Force’s (ISAF) jikistan and the U.S. have jikistan – there are no ob- activities and promot- stage of state sovereignty, on security issues that has operations in Afghani- worked together, includ- stacles for foreigners.” ing education and health. in particular in the years of been in place for more than stan, including those of ing the development of At the time of writing, The proximity of Afghani- civil war (1992-1997).” a decade. U.S. forces. This includes transport links to facilitate U.S. companies are yet to stan, Tajikistan’s immedi- In fact to date, the U.S. “This (security) coopera- the transit of non-military trade. These include sev- join other regional pow- ate neighbor, and the U.S. has provided Tajikistan tion is being implemented cargo as well as providing eral bridges spanning the ers including China, Russia policy to stabilize this part with a total of approximate- within the framework of a NATO with drinking water Panj River, which separates and the European Union, of the world, has led to ly $1 billion in development decree that was signed be- and other supplies. Tajikistan and Afghanistan. in utilizing the commer- much common ground be- aid. During the 1990s this tween the Government of During an official state “The largest of these bridg- cial potential of Tajikistan ing established between the was largely focused on hu- Tajikistan and the Govern- visit in 2011, former Sec- es was built by the U.S., who on a large scale. Currently two countries. Although manitarian support. Since ment of the U.S. on January retary of State, Hillary committed around $40 mil- there are less than 10 joint American companies and the end of the civil war 27, 2003, relating to drug Clinton described the sup- lion to the project. This has ventures between Tajik investors have not been as period, which has been trafficking and law enforce- port Tajikistan had given boosted our bilateral trade and American businesses commercially active in the marked by rapid economic to ISAF forces, stating, “I with Afghanistan as well as and only eight companies country as those of other growth, this assistance has thanked the president for with Pakistan,” says Ambas- established through direct global powers, there is great been focused strongly on “I thanked the President the critical role Tajikistan sador Salim. U.S. investment. This con- potential for collaboration promoting peace and secu- for the critical role has played in the interna- One recent development trasts with more than $3.2 as large-scale energy, in- rity, good governance, eco- Tajikistan has played tional community’s efforts that has improved interna- billion in Chinese invest- frastructure and transport nomic growth and develop- to bring security and peace tional trade opportunities ment made in one project in the international projects are implemented. ing human capacity. This to Afghanistan. Tajikistan with Tajikistan was acces- in 2014 alone, related to Tajik-U.S. relations have amounted to $36 million in community’s efforts has been a strong partner, sion to the World Trade energy transit. Tremendous seen significant progress 2014, with a strong empha- to bring security and not only to us but to the 48 Organization (WTO) in untapped potential exists in since the country emerged sis on countering terrorism, peace to Afghanistan. nations in the international 2013. This came on the the country, particularly in as a sovereign state. With a narcotics trafficking and Tajikistan has been forces. We have worked to back of a series of reforms this sector, as well as hydro- current population of 8 mil- bolstering military and bor- a strong partner, defeat al-Qaida, to increase to improve the business cli- power plant construction, lion located at crossroads der control capacity. not only to us but to pressure on the Taliban, and mate since the early 2000s. infrastructure develop- of China, Afghanistan and Indeed, Tajik-U.S. rela- the 48 nations in the to support an Afghan peace Last year, the World Bank ment, transportation and Central Asia, the Republic tions today are strongly international forces” process aimed at ending the recognized Tajikistan as other areas. of Tajikistan declared its defined by cooperation on conflict and bringing wider the most improved country Collaboration in educa- independence from the So- regional security, especially stability to this region.” in terms of ease of doing tion is one area where the viet Union on September 9, concerning the country’s Hillary Clinton, As a secular, stable state business for 2014. U.S. and Tajikistan work 1991. It was almost imme- southern neighbor, Af- Former U.S. Secretary of State that successfully fought “Since 2002, many re- together extensively. By co-

Government works to promote dialogue on the global water issues A high level conference in Dushanbe, planned for June, source of approximately 60% stan to the UN, was created to This weekend the Inter- Tajikistan has placed continues Tajikistan’s long-term policy to address water of Central Asia’s water supplies, encourage a sustainable, global national Decade for Action, water issues at use on the international stage the future of Tajikistan is intrin- approach to solving water is- “Water for Life” 2005-2015, the forefront of its sically bound in solving global sues. It officially commenced is drawing to a close. Imme- foreign policy since water crises. Through regional on the first ever World Water diately following this year’s independence. As a ne of the most that has repeatedly affected and international forums, in- Day on March 22, 2005, and World Water Day on Sunday, pressing global relations between countries, cluding working through the served as an international fo- sustainable development goals mountainous country issues that nei- due to the fact that more than United Nations, the Ministry of rum to discuss the global wa- (SDGs) and the post-2015 de- and the source of ther the world’s 170 rivers are shared between Foreign Affairs of the Republic ter agenda. Building on this, velopment agenda, including approximately 60% of population nor two or more countries. His- of Tajikistan has lobbied for a the nomination of 2013 as the water issues, will be discussed Central Asia’s water its governments can ignore is torically and until the present global approach to solving wa- International Year for Water at the UNGA in New York. supplies, the future of Owater. Scarcity of supply, en- time, management of trans- ter issues. Cooperation was another suc- To review the decade of ac- Tajikistan is intrinsically ergy, natural disasters, access to national water boundaries has One early initiative to at- cessfully adopted proposal put tion, boost dialogue, and dis- bound in solving drinking water, sanitation and been a cause of dispute, and tract a global approach to the forward by Tajikistan to the cuss global approaches to the global water crises the health implications of con- even conflict, as upstream and issue, led by Tajikistan through UNGA in 2010. world’s water issues, the Gov- taminated water are all issues downstream governments de- the United Nations General The Group of Friends of ernment of Tajikistan in coop- that can only be solved through bate access. Today more than Assembly (UNGA), was the Water, also established by Ta- eration with UN institutions is coordinated international solu- 40 countries face the challenge nomination of 2003 as the jikistan in 2010, is a voluntary hosting an international con- in the lead up to the event, tions. Additionally, the increas- of building consensus with International Year of Fresh association of more than 75 ference this June in its capital, touching on issues including ingly evident phenomenon their neighbors over fair use of Water. This was the precursor countries, which includes the Dushanbe. This event, the geography, gender and youth. of climate change has further shared rivers. This affects Afri- to the International Decade U.S. Chaired by Tajikistan, it High Level International Con- Approximately 1,000 dele- exacerbated the situation re- ca, the Middle East and Central for Action, “Water for Life” has been a medium for dis- ference on the implementation gates are expected to attend the garding water policy for many Asia in particular. 2005-2015, proclaimed by the course on issues including of the International Decade for conference, including represen- countries, as changing weather The Republic of Tajikistan UNGA in December of the human intervention on water, Action “Water for Life”, 2005- tatives from UN member states, patterns continue to cause has placed water issues at the same year. efficient use of the resource, 2015 is scheduled to take place international organizations, drought and floods. forefront of its foreign policy This initiative, introduced water and the green economy, in the capital of Tajikistan from non-government organizations, Fresh water also has a geo- since independence. As a by the Permanent Representa- and integrating water resource June 9-11, 2015. A number of the private sector, and gender political and security aspect mountainous country and the tion of the Republic of Tajiki- management. parallel events are also planned and youth organizations.

Our World Insert is produced by United World. USA Today did not participate in its preparation and is not responsible for its content Distributed by USA TODAY Friday, March 20, 2015 3 TAJIKISTAN operating through United pean Union, Russia, India, joint ventures established Approximately Karzai, Iranian President States Agency for Interna- Iran, the Gulf Cooperation between Russian and Tajik 30 agreements Hassan Rohani, President tional Development (US- Council member states and companies. These include related to military Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of AID) supported projects, China. telecommunications com- cooperation, counter Mongolia, and the Presi- teacher training, curricu- As the largest investor panies such as Beeline and terrorism, fighting dent of Turkmenistan, Gur- lum development and lan- in Tajikistan, bilateral rela- Megaphone, as well as the narcotics trafficking banguly Berdymuhamedov. guage skills have received a tions with China are largely Russian energy giant Gaz- and economic The resulting Dushan- boost in Tajikistan’s educa- characterized by econom- prom. Apart from the large be Declaration, signed by development have tion system. Participating ics and trade. The countries number of guest workers the SCO heads of state, in high school exchanges in share a 260-mile border, Tajikistan provides to the been signed between pledged: a joint commit- the U.S. is a popular activ- which has seen a substan- Russian economy, the coun- Tajikistan and the ment to respect human ity for Tajik students, espe- tial increase in the rate of try exports a large amount U.S. since the former rights and national sover- cially for improving English infrastructure development of agricultural produce in- Soviet state gained eignty; to extend coopera- language skills. as the two countries have cluding cotton, fruit and independence in 1991 tion in political and human- The U.S. is one of the pre- developed better overland vegetables to Russia. itarian efforts; to cooperate “From the first days ferred study destinations connections. The high el- Unlike Russia, the Eu- in countering terrorism, of independence of for Tajiks seeking a West- evation Kulma-Karasu ropean Union is a relative narcotics trafficking and Tajikistan, the USA ern university degree, how- checkpoint in the Pamirs newcomer to Tajikistan. Its extremism and separat- trans-national crime, and has established ever less than 300 are cur- accounts for the majority diplomatic representation ism, as well as fight trans- in providing secure, fair and friendly relations rently studying there. Most of trade. Improvements to in Dushanbe was opened national crime and foster open access to the internet; and has provided opt to study in Russia due roads here, as well as com- in 2004 following the Part- economic development. to use only peaceful means valuable technical to traditional ties, near-na- mercial interest have led nership and Cooperation Originally known as and dialogue to end the Syr- and humanitarian to an increase in annual Agreement (PCA), agreed tive Russian language skills the Shanghai Five, it was ian and Ukrainian conflicts; assistance” and favorable visa agree- bilateral trade, currently to in the same year and formed in 1996 and initially to make use of constructive ments. As a result, last year estimated at $2 billion and implemented in 2010. The consisted of China, Russia, means to resolve the Ira- more than 1,000 Tajik stu- expected to reach $3 billion EU works largely on a de- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan nian nuclear issue; and to Sirodjiddin Aslov, dents were admitted into in the next two years. velopment base in Tajiki- and Tajikistan. Following support peace-building in Minister of Foreign Affairs universities in Russia with China has invested over stan to improve political, the SCO annual summit in Afghanistan. approximately 5,000 Tajik $6 billion in Tajikistan over legislative, technical, social 2000, held in Dushanbe, it Photo: Ministry of Foreign citizens currently studying the last three years alone, and cultural cooperation, as expanded its membership The Tajik-Afghan link Affairs of Tajikistan there in total. and this tempo of approxi- well as sustainable econom- to include Uzbekistan and Much of Tajikistan’s stra- mately $2 billion per year is ic development. A large fo- was subsequently renamed. tegic significance, along expected to continue. Aside cus of this is on energy and Afghanistan, India, Iran, with Afghanistan, lies in “We share much from to developing Tajiki- water use. Annual bilateral Mongolia and Pakistan its location at the so-called the same language, stan’s domestic economy, trade amounts to approxi- have observer status, with “Heart of Asia”. Numer- China is seeking to create mately $400 million. Belarus, Sri Lanka and Tur- ous strategically impor- culture, history and an energy and transporta- key as dialogue partners. tant geographical zones religion. Without tion corridor through Tajik- The U.S., Turkmenistan, converge here including doubt, this long istan to markets in Central Multilateral the Commonwealth of In- China, Central Asia, South term relationship Asia, Afghanistan and the Cooperation dependent States (CIS), the Asia and the Middle East. has impacted the Middle East. Within the framework of its Association of South East This has led to much com- current state of affairs Largely due to a shared multi-vector foreign policy, Asian Nations (ASEAN), monality between Tajiki- between Afghanistan history and cultural ties, Tajikistan also actively en- the Eurasian Economic stan and Afghanistan. and Tajikistan” primarily developed dur- gages with a number of Community and the UN are “Now, if we want to speak ing Soviet times, Russia and multilateral, international specially invited to attend particularly of the relation- Tajikistan maintain strong and regional organizations. its annual events. ship between Afghanistan Dr. Abdulghafour Arezou, diplomatic relations and These include, but are not Last year in Septem- and Tajikistan, we can with Afghanistan’s Ambassador to work together for security, limited to, the United Na- ber, Dushanbe hosted the confidence say that we “The U.S. State Tajikistan th economic affairs and de- tions, the Central Asia 13 Annual Summit of the share much of the same lan- Department and fense cooperation. A high Regional Economic Coop- Heads of State of the SCO. guage, culture, history and the U.S. Embassy in flow of official visits has eration (CAREC) Program, This well-attended event religion. Without doubt, Dushanbe constantly been witnessed in recent the Asia Cooperation Dia- saw extensive participation this long-term relationship years as a result. logue (ACD), the Economic from member states and has impacted the current providing technical The multi-vector “For Russia, Tajikistan Cooperation Organization observers, with almost ev- state of affairs between Af- support which grants foreign policy is an important factor in (ECO), and the Organiza- ery head of state from the ghanistan and Tajikistan,” solid assistance in the Tajikistan’s non-preferen- restraining the flow of ter- tion of Islamic Cooperation surrounding region in at- remarks Afghanistan’s Am- fight against crime tial, multi-vector foreign rorism and drug trafficking. (OIC). tendance. Considering the bassador to Tajikistan, Dr. as well as terrorism, policy includes close col- Besides that, Tajikistan is In terms of military and global security issues affect- Abdulghafour Arezou. religious extremism, the laboration with multi-lat- one of the largest suppliers security cooperation, it is ing the world over the last The two countries are drug trade and human eral organizations as well as of labor in Russia; several a member of the Collec- year, this was hardly sur- currently working together trafficking” broad-based international studies suggest that at any tive Security Treaty Or- prising. The event included strongly on stability and cooperation. In this way, given time, there are more ganization (CSTO), the references to the ongoing security, particularly with Tajikistan works with both than 1.5 million Tajik citi- Organization for Security global threats including the framework of the aptly Ramazon Rakhimov, regional and global pow- zens living in Russia”, says and Co-operation in Eu- trans-national terrorism, named, Heart of Asia Istan- Minister of Internal Affairs ers to advance its foreign Igor Lyakin-Frolov, Ambas- rope (OSCE) and notably the widening of conflicts bul Process. This regional policy goals. sador of the Russian Fed- the Shanghai Coopera- in Syria and Ukraine (both diplomatic initiative seeks to Photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs “The multi-vector ap- eration to Tajikistan. tion Organization (SCO), taking place in neighboring build cooperation between of Tajikistan proach to the international Defense cooperation is which also has a strong regions), as well as the Ebo- Afghanistan and 14 neigh- system has been consid- also extensive. In addition economic dimension. Ta- la epidemic in Africa. boring countries to encour- ered as the core of this to providing training and jikistan has also cooper- As President Rahmon age cooperation on peace- policy and it, undoubtedly, equipment to the Tajik mil- ated extensively with the said during his address on building, law enforcement meets the national interests itary, Russia’s largest mili- North Atlantic Treaty September 12, “Exactly and security issues that af- of Tajikistan,” explains the tary base outside of its own Organization (NATO) re- one year has passed since fect the wider region. minister of foreign affairs. territory – located in the garding Afghanistan. our last summit. Dur- Since 2001, Afghanistan “Effective implementation south of Tajikistan – hosts Tajikistan has played ing this short period a lot and Tajikistan have estab- of strategic goals, ensur- approximately 7,000 sol- a significant role in the has changed in the world. lished strong trade relations ing economic and social diers. It plays an important expansion of the SCO, a Some of these changes af- and are involved in carrying prosperity of the country, role in supporting security particularly important fect the prevailing world out a number of bilateral strengthening peace and operations along the nearby organization for improv- order as a whole. This gives and regional economic de- stability, as well as gaining Tajik-Afghan border. ing security and economic rise to new problems, the velopment projects. These a worthy position in the in- This strategic presence collaboration between solution to which requires include transnational gas ternational arena depends has been extended, as Am- Central Asia and its neigh- collective efforts and pipelines, electricity lines, on such an approach.” bassador Lyakin-Frolov ex- boring states. It is not a searches, including those roads, rail and other trans- This policy was voiced plains. “An agreement on military organization such within the framework of portation links. “The ‘open doors’ very early in the history of the Conditions of Stay of as NATO, but primarily the Shanghai Cooperation As U.S. and international foreign policy of independent Tajikistan by the Russian Military Base works to counter terrorism, Organization.” forces continue being with- Tajikistan expresses President Emomali Rah- on the Territory of Tajiki- Attending the event were drawn from Afghanistan, it a willingness to mon, who stated during stan was signed during an the heads of state of the will be region-wide cooper- develop and improve the country’s 17th Session official visit of Russian SCO member states includ- ation, connectivity between commercial and of Supreme Council in President, Vladimir Putin, “For Russia, Tajikistan ing: Chinese Presdient Xi the states and economic political relations with 1993 that, “The Republic in October 2012,” he says. is an important factor Jinping, Russian President development that define the countries of both of Tajikistan is committed “That agreement en- in restraining the flow Vladimir Putin, Uzbek the future of the country. the East and the West” to pursue a balanced and sured the long-term mili- President Islam Karimov, Tajikistan is already playing pragmatic foreign policy, tary deployment (until of terrorism and drug Kyrgyz President Almazbek a significant role in work- and it has to be free of any 2042) in a region key to trafficking” Atambayev, and Tajik Presi- ing towards this by foster- Farhod Salim, unilateral approaches.” international security. It is dent Emomali Rahmon. Ad- ing regional harmony and Ambassador of Tajikistan to the U.S. The country works ex- of a great importance for Igor Lyakin-Frolov, ditionally, several leaders cooperating and working tensively with countries providing security and sta- Ambassador of the Russian of neighboring states were hand in hand with the gov- Photo: Embassy of the Republic of near and far, as well as the bility in Tajikistan.” Federation to Tajikistan also in attendance. Notable ernment of Afghanistan Tajikistan to the U.S. major powers in the re- On the business front, guests included the former to generate prosperity for gion, including the Euro- there are more than 25 Afghan President, Hamid both countries.

Our World Insert is produced by United World. USA Today did not participate in its preparation and is not responsible for its content 4 Friday, March 20, 2015 Distributed by USA TODAY TAJIKISTAN

“The growth of the general balance of Banking and microfinance expansion lending institutions has increased by more than 17 times, reaching 3 billion Somoni ($558 drives economic development million), over the last 10 years” The Tajik banking sector has attracted investment and in October of 2000, the rate creased by 115, with 151 new Notably, microfinance has global partnership on the heels of solid economic growth was 2.2 Somoni to $1. In 14 branches opening up, provid- emerged as a major driver years, that has gone up to ing the population with bet- of both the banking sec- Jamolidin Nuraliev, 5.6 Somoni. Of course, for ter access to banking services tor and the larger economy. First Deputy Minister of Finance Tajikistan’s banking sector omy system, but completely Westerners this looks like and credit,” says Jamolidin Tajikistan’s 121 registered has witnessed rapid growth new legislation, monetary a serious depreciation, but Nuraleiv, First Deputy Minis- microfinance organizations and expansion over the past systems and institutions had maintaining a strong cur- ter of Finance. “The strongest mostly cater to micro and issued, marking a more than decade. Microfinance stands to be developed. rency is incredibly difficult players in the banking sector small and medium-sized en- 30% increase on 2013. out as the sub-sector that has Indeed, Tajikistan had to for economies like ours. The of the Republic of Tajikistan terprises (SMEs), often with “Our approach to micro- made a meaningful impact also create a new currency, Somoni is very stable now,” are the commercial banks a strong focus on agriculture financing is different to that on the country’s develop- one that could be kept stable says Abdujabbor Shirinov, with foreign capital, which and trade. seen in other parts of the ment, often undertaken with during crisis and transition, Chairman of the National have doubled. The growth of As Mr. Shirinov points out, world. Other countries, such the involvement of foreign following the collapse of the Bank and Tajikistan’s former the general balance of lending “Our microfinance organiza- as Kyrgyzstan or Bangladesh, partners and investors. De- Soviet Ruble. The Tajik Ruble ambassador in Washington. institutions has increased by tions have shown enormous have been using microfinanc- veloping financial literacy, was introduced in 1995, but Following the end of the more than 17 times, reaching success and the whole credit ing in very small amounts, introducing new technology was later replaced in 2000 1990s and the introduction 3 billion Somoni ($558 mil- portfolio for microfinancing $100, $200 or $500, but we and promoting sustainable by the introduction of the of this new currency, the lion) over the last 10 years.” is quite large. This is very believe that this kind of mi- development remain the Somoni (TJS). The currency banking sector of Tajikistan One of the important fac- important, especially in ru- crofinancing does not nec- core focus of the Ministry takes its name from Ismoil began to grow rapidly, both tors that accounts for this ral areas, where there are essarily work in economies of Finance and the banking Somoni, a ninth-century Ta- in terms of the number of or- period of robust growth was smaller enterprises which such as Tajikistan’s. So we regulator, the National Bank jik ruler and national hero ganizations active in the sec- the restoration of the popula- need the access to capital have developed microcredit of Tajikistan. of modern Tajikistan. Since tor, and the overall amount tion’s trust in the banking sys- that microfinance offers.” financing for amounts up to Following independence this time, this currency has of transactions. Today there tem. This led to an increasing The expansion of microfi- $50,000. For larger enterpris- from the USSR in 1991, Ta- remained strong when com- are 139 lending institutions number of deposits, the total nance has played an impor- es, we have seen microcredit jikistan’s banking sector pared to those of other coun- in the country. volume of which has risen tant role in reducing poverty institutions issuing loans of needed to adapt to tremen- tries in the region. Between 2004 and 2014, by 21 times since 2004. The in the country, especially in up to $70,000. In such cas- dous change. Not only did “When looking at the ex- the sector saw a particular country’s loan portfolio has often remote, mountainous es, enterprises can help the the country have to reorient change rate of the Somoni explosion of growth. “Com- reached approximately $1.5 parts of Tajikistan and in ru- economy by maintaining or itself away from a command to the U.S. dollar, we can see pared with 2004, the number billion, representing a nine- ral areas. In 2014 over $540 creating additional jobs,” ex- economy to a market econ- that when it was introduced of lending institutions has in- fold increase since 2004. million in micro loans were plains Mr. Shirinov.

The currency takes its name from Ismoil Somoni, a ninth- century Tajik ruler and national hero of modern Tajikistan

Tajprom Agroinvestbank The Tajik Commercial Agroinvestbank was Industrial Bank for established during Soviet Reconstruction and Amonatbank times, in 1988, largely Development (Tajprom) to support agricultural was established in October Established in 1885, enterprises. It underwent 1995 and employs over Amonatbank is Tajikistan’s a number of reforms 800 people. As the name oldest financial institution. during the 1990s, moving suggests, the bank is heavily It serves as the country’s away from its core focus focused on developing official state savings bank on providing services to the industrial sector of with a network of 75 clients connected to cotton Tajikistan. All of the large branches and 513 service production. Since 2012 the mining companies with centers. All of the country’s Republic of Tajikistan has foreign investors are pensioners, 630,000 clients, maintained a controlling being served by the bank, receive their payments via stake in Agroinvestbank, including the development Amonatbank. Additionally following the purchase of of the Zarafshan gold the bank carries out all 52% of the bank through mine. Additionally, the forms of commercial and recapitalization. The EBRD bank provides services to retail banking. Jamshed owns 12% (since 2009) and the state’s Talco aluminum Nurmahmadzoda, the remaining 36% is owned plant, textile factories, Chairman of Amonatbank by private shareholders. mineral water processing is bullish about the country’s It operates two subsidiaries: plants and Barki Tojik. future: “There are numerous Leasing Finance, which Much of its support for international business specializes in leasing industrial enterprises relates transactions priced in U.S. operations, and Bovary to supplying new equipment dollars that take place va Hamkori (Belief and and technology to improve every day in Tajikistan. Cooperation), focused efficiency. Tajprom has The unprecedented billions on lending to microcredit been at the forefront of dollars in investment, organizations. The bank of development of the aimed at energy, transport, has an extensive network sector, as one of the first to infrastructure and other of over 786 service centers implement private money sectors is evidence of this, across the country, including transfers in 2003 and and it necessitates the 62 branches, and employs entering the microfinance movement to and from 2,700 people. In addition to market in 2004. The bank the country of foreign corporate and retail banking cooperates with numerous currency, including U.S. services, Agroinvestbank foreign partners including dollars. We therefore invite has worked in partnership the World Bank, Eurasian executives from U.S. banks with the government to Development Bank and to work with us to establish ensure food security and Islamic Development correspondent accounts to help create employment, Bank, and maintains better serve the unmet need following the global financial strong relations with large that exists in this market.” crisis of 2008. European banks.

Our World Insert is produced by United World. USA Today did not participate in its preparation and is not responsible for its content Distributed by USA TODAY Friday, March 20, 2015 5 TAJIKISTAN

World Bank, the Interna- “Our microfinance tional Finance Corporation organizations have (IFC), and the Islamic De- shown enormous velopment Bank and Eur- success and the whole asian Development Bank. credit portfolio for The National Bank’s fo- microfinancing is quite cus on education includes large. This is very the promotion of financial important, especially literacy across the country. To encourage the utilization in rural areas, where of banking services it has there are smaller established a special study enterprises which need center close to northern the access to capital city of Khujand. Located on that microfinance the banks of the Kairakkum offers” reservoir and adjacent to the luxury Bahoriston resort, this center has been used for Abdujabbor Shirinov, training, seminars and high- Chairman of the National Bank level meetings. The National of Tajikistan Bank has also loaned the fa- cilities to other state institu- tions and non-government A number of foreign fi- organizations to host events. nancial institutions and in- Due to the mountainous ternational organizations terrain of Tajikistan and the have become involved in number of remote towns and the sector as partners, in- settlements, it is often diffi- vestors or advisors. These cult for customers in these ar- Fountains in Dushanbe’s central district. Photo: Press Service of the Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan include but are not limited eas to travel to bank branch- to the United States Agency es. As such, the development “Last summer we an- established a national bank- 96% of cards issued are very transferring and receiving for International Develop- and domestic promotion of nounced the establishment card processing center. The rarely used abroad” says Mr. money. It has been a great ment (USAID), the Aga banking technology has also of mobile and internet cards issued here – Korti Shirinov. “Our conclusion success. We started with a Khan Development Net- been a priority focus for the banking in Tajikistan. We Milli (national card) – are from analyzing this infor- small amount, and the now work (AKDN), the Europe- government. This includes hope that this technology now being used by 12 Tajik mation was that if we creat- the number of Korti Milli an Bank for Reconstruction mobile banking, which lever- will take root in the whole banks, as well as microfi- ed a national card we could cards issued is around half and Development (EBRD), ages off the coverage provid- banking sector of the coun- nance organizations. help support our people, a million. By the end of the the German state-led de- ed to the country by its four try,” says Mr. Shirinov. “Based on the results of including both employers year, we hope to hit another velopment bank KfW, the mobile operators. Tajikistan also recently a study, we realized that and employees, in need of million if not more.”

Kazkom The First MicroFinanceBank Barakat Kazkommertsbank, AccessBank Tajikistan’s leading private (FMFB) was established Barakat, a micro-deposit bank and one of the 10 in 2004 by the Aga Khan AccessBank Tajikistan is a organization, was largest banks in the CIS, Agency for Microfinance microfinance bank set up established six years ago established a representative (Geneva), Aga Khan by Access Microfinance in April 2009. Indicative of office in Tajikistan in 2006. Foundation (Tajikistan), IFC Holding, the IFC, EBRD, the rapidly growing sector In doing so it became the and KfW, with a common and KfW. This year the ADB and emerging microfinance first foreign bank to enter goal to increase financial will become a shareholder, operations in Tajikistan, the market and created a inclusion in Tajikistan. which marks the first time the its operations cater to subsidiary a year later – Overwhelmingly, FMFB has ADB has ever invested in a supporting small business Kazkommertsbank Tajikistan been focused on providing financial institution in Central growth. This includes (Kazkom). Kazkom has microfinance loans to micro- Asia. AccessBank Tajikistan providing loans to SMEs, positioned itself strongly businesses and SMEs. Over celebrates its five-year receiving deposits, opening in the cooperate banking the years it has expanded anniversary in April. It has and operating bank arena. It cooperates with its operations and today it is 10 branches spread across accounts, as well as cash the National Bank of a fully fledged commercial the country, with a loan management. An efficient Tajikistan in financing cotton bank offering lending portfolio of approximately operation, there are only 25 enterprises, petroleum- products, deposits, foreign $50 million to micro- people working in Barakat’s related activities, ICT exchange, remittances borrowers and SMEs. The headquarters. They have operations, hydropower services and cards. To reach bank focuses on serving branches in Khujand development, the health clients in the underserved the medium-sized customer and Tursonzoda with an sector, and consumer regions of Tajikistan, the with a broad range of high additional five and seven goods. Technology bank has an extensive quality financial solutions. staff members respectively, has defined the bank’s network with branches in It adheres to the principles who mainly work as loan presence in the country, Dushanbe, Rasht, Khujand, of the global SMART officers. Mitigating risk according to Kazkom Kurgan Tube and Kulyab, campaign to maintain client while at the same time Tajikistan’s Chairman, and banking service centers protection, and is at the providing competitive Ramesh Khodoiev: “Today in 28 locations.To grow forefront of financial literacy loans, fair interest rates and Kazkom is a bank based on financial literacy, FMFB training. The bank employs high quality services, has advanced technologies and launches workshops and a young workforce with seen Barakat’s portfolio with an excellent reputation. other types of education an average age of 27. It expand rapidly. “The Utilizing the experience and initiatives for its clients, has been lauded by the goal of our organization technology of the ‘parent including the Tajik diaspora National Bank of Tajikistan is to support small and bank’, we have reached in Russia. Quality of life for its strong focus on staff medium businesses, lower a new qualitative level, research is also being development, allocating the level of poverty and pioneering the arrival of conducted to gauge the more time and money to enhance the living standards innovative technologies contribution of FMFB’s training than any other population in the Republic to the banking system of products and services to the financial institution in the of Tajikistan,” says Dilshod Tajikistan.” lives of its clients. country. Aliboev, CEO of Barakat.

Our World Insert is produced by United World. USA Today did not participate in its preparation and is not responsible for its content 6 Friday, March 20, 2015 Distributed by USA TODAY TAJIKISTAN At the center of Central Asian energy The commissioning of a $3.2 billion gas pipeline and hydrocarbon exploration activities put Tajikistan at the center of greenfield energy projects in the region

ajikistan is quick- Sea, shared by Uzbekistan and However shortages still ly transforming Kazakhstan, originates here. exist throughout Tajikistan, into a hub for Harnessing these rapid especially during the winter KAZAKHSTAN international downstream water flows for months when hydropower electro-energy, hydro-electric power genera- generation diminishes, due gas transit and transporta- tion has been a focus of state to the reduced movement Ttion projects. This is largely a policy even before Tajikistan of frozen water, which in result to its unique Silk Road became independent. The turn leads to less production positioning between China, Nurek hydropower plant through the spin turbines. hydrocarbon-rich Central (HPP), completed during This unfortunately coincides Asia, the Middle East and Af- Soviet times in 1980, is a with an increase in demand uzbekistan ghanistan. By capitalizing on good example of what can be for heating and other applica- cooperation between region- achieved in combining water tions. To address this problem al players, as well as develop- and gravity in Tajikistan. It extensive funds have been al- ing its own energy potential, is the second largest man- located for the refurbishment Tajikistan could see a pletho- made dam in the world and of generation equipment and ra of mega projects transform the tallest dam in Central infrastructure in hydropower the country beyond recogni- Asia, currently generating plants to boost generation. tion over the next decade. 300MW of electricity every This process is taking place year. To this day, hydropower at the Nurek and Kairakkum Energy generation remains the dominant source HPPs as well as at other facili- and transmission of electricity for the country, ties to enhance efficiency. There is no doubt that Ta- due to the proliferation of Furthermore, a strategy of jikistan is a country with a HPP construction across its diversification has been im- wealth of water resources, rivers and valleys. plemented by turning to coal, owing to the approximately “Tajikistan has the ca- a resource the country has in 1,300 lakes located in the pacity to produce around significant quantities. In line mountainous country, ac- 5,400MW, and currently with this approach, a new cording to official statistics. around 95% of this electricity thermal coal power plant has Overall this amounts to over is produced by hydropower”, been built in Dushanbe, and 25 cubic miles of water, fed explains Usmonali Uzmon- plans are in place to build a by powerful river flows from zoda, Minister of Energy and similar plant in the country’s the mountains. Water Resources. This num- far north, near the city of Is- One of the reasons for this ber is set to increase as new fara. The northern part of the AFGHANISTAN abundance of water is that projects come to comple- country is particularly coal- the higher reaches of mostly tion, as well as rehabilitation rich, a factor that improves

“Private investment power Plant project. When ested parties already commit- from Russia and Iran completed, this would be the ting funds. has done much to highest dam in the world. Ac- As the energy minister told improve the conditions cording to the World Bank, United World, “A loan from of Tajikistan’s energy the construction of this dam the World Bank has been “is part of a lower cost solu- approved which will provide infrastructure. Over tion to meeting Tajik electric- $45 million to Tajikistan’s the past 10 years, due ity demand than any of the portion of the project with to the construction non-Rogun alternatives”. $15 million being provided of the 670MW “I think the continuation by the Tajikistan Govern- Sangtuda HPP-1 and of the construction of Rogun ment and another $7.5 mil- the 220MW Sangtuda HPP is very important in re- lion provided by USAID. HPP-2, the total solving this issue,” says Mr. We have had preliminary capacity in Tajikistan Uzmonzoda. “Its capacity will discussions with the Islamic has increased by more be 3,600MW and not only Development Bank for an ad- than 1,000MW” will it improve the situation ditional $70 million loan and during the winter period do- European Investment Bank mestically, but we will be able for €75 million ($84 million) Usmonali Uzmonzoda, to export the excess energy it as well. We have also talked Minister of Energy generates to South Asia, in- with the Kuwait Fund, and cluding Pakistan, Afghanistan they have also agreed to pro- and Iran during summer.” vide funding. Negotiations mountainous Tajikistan are is undertaken on existing as- A regional electricity access to domestic distribu- A tender announcement are underway with other packed full of glaciers, with sets to improve efficiency. export project is tion is revitalizing the ageing was made at the end of Feb- banks to secure around $320 6% of the country’s territory Over the last decade espe- being finalized, which distribution network. Barki ruary this year, with a view to million in total.” covered by some 347 miles cially, a number of new hy- will move the excess Tojik (Tajik Electricity), the launching final construction Combined with the real- of permanent ice, mostly dropower assets have been electricity produced national distribution com- by the second half of 2016. ization of the Rogun HPP, located in the Gorno-Bada- constructed to increase gen- in Tajikistan and pany, currently faces wide- The Rogun HPP is intended the CASA-1000 project khshan Autonomous Region eration capacity in light of Kyrgyzstan to power- spread evasion of payment to be completed by 2027. will lay the groundwork for (GBAO) in the Pamir Moun- growing consumer. Foreign hungry Afghanistan from customers. A feasibility It is interesting to note that Tajikistan to become a sig- tains. An example of the scale partners, international orga- and Pakistan. The study is currently underway Tajikistan currently produces nificant supplier of clean, an excess of electricity in dur- hydropower energy to its of this vast frozen wilderness nizations, non-government project has advanced to modernize the system and is the Fedchenko glacier, organizations and other install digitalized meters to ing summer due to strong southern neighbors. which at 48 miles long, is the stakeholders have become to the point of securing better monitor usage. Mr. Uz- water flows. Last year the largest in the country. It is one heavily involved in this pro- financing, with a monzoda describes the pro- country was able to export Line D and the search of an estimated 8,000 spread cess as partners or investors. number of interested cess as aimed at, “working to this excess capacity to north- for hydrocarbons across the sparsely populated As the minister of energy parties already increase the commercial ef- ern Afghanistan. Plans are in It is no secret that China’s eastern region of Tajikistan highlights, “From 2001 to committing funds ficiency and grow the future place to expand this practice interest for Central Asia’s once famously called “the 2005, with the support of the potential of Barki Tojik. To by capitalizing on extra sup- hydrocarbons, in particu- rooftop of the world” by Brit- World Bank, the Agha Khan do this we need to decrease ply and demand elsewhere in lar natural gas, has become ish explorers. Fund and the Swiss Govern- the economic feasibility of energy losses, improve com- the region. voracious. This interest has This high altitude, vast ice- ment, the reconstruction of this alternative source. mercial returns and upgrade Combined with excesses manifested itself most tangi- bound landscape contributes Pamir HPP was completed The establishment of the our infrastructure.” electricity supply produced bly during a series of energy tremendously to condensa- with an increased capacity north-south transmission Revenues gained from this in Kyrgyzstan, and demand mega projects, beginning tion of moisture and increased of 14MW…Private invest- line, a 165-mile power line process will be used to up- for power in Afghanistan and in 2009 with the commis- precipitation. Coupled with ment from Russia and Iran that links the two most popu- grade substations and trans- Pakistan, a regional electric- sioning of phase one of the the seasonal melting of snow has done much to improve lous regions of the country, formers, with an overall goal ity export project is being fi- Central Asia–China gas that collects in these frozen the conditions of Tajikistan’s has also done much to bal- of improving distribution effi- nalized. Negotiations for this pipeline (CACGP). At the highlands, which drains to the energy infrastructure. Over ance electricity supply by ciency and capacity by renew- endeavor, the CASA-1000 time of writing, a network lower elevations of the repub- the last 10 years, due to the moving voltage between ar- ing outdated infrastructure. project, began in 2009 and of three pipelines crisscross- lic, two of the great waterways construction of the 670MW eas in need. This was made One lasting solution for transit and tariff issues have ing Central Asia (originating of the region are born: the Panj Sangtuda HPP-1 and the necessary by Tajikistan’s dis- solving Tajikistan’s electric- been agreed on among the in Turkmenistan and passing and the Vakhsh rivers. These 220MW Sangtuda HPP-2, connection from the Central ity demand, that would also participating countries. Now through Uzbekistan and Ka- waters flow to neighboring the total capacity in Tajiki- Asia grid in 2009. produce the volume of power the project has advanced to zakhstan) deliver more than countries and over 50% of the stan has increased by more One issue also being ad- needed for industrial devel- the point of securing financ- 50% of China’s natural gas water that feeds into the Aral than 1,000MW.” dressed in terms of improving opment, is the Rogun Hydro- ing, with a number of inter- imports. An industrial revolution The industrial sector has seen a successful revival in machine-part manufactur- country from the late 1990s, million tons), fruit (330,000 The development recent years, driven by government policy, local ing, food processing, and industry has seen consistent tons), grapes (175,000 tons) of food processing entrepreneurs and international investors most notably textiles. This recovery and a revamp, as it and meat (173,000 tons). capacity remains part of the country is still orientated itself to the global Establishing factories for a priority for the uring Soviet Today it remains the largest well known for the latter, market economy. packaging, drying, process- times, the aluminum manufacturing with numerous textile facto- The development of food ing, canning and other value government. One state-planned plant in Central Asia and ries producing carpet, cloth- processing capacity remains addition, to allow for export, reason is the sheer economy of Ta- its management is currently ing, and to a lesser extent, silk a priority for the govern- is an area of activity that the volume produced by jikistan focused perfecting a strategy to mod- garments. In fact a modern ment. One reason is the government has highlighted the country’s robust largely on agriculture, such ernize facilities and diversify factory established under the sheer volume produced by to potential investors and agricultural sector, asD producing cotton, grains, its production base. auspices of a U.S. develop- the country’s robust agricul- showcased during inter- and the challenges in vegetables, fruit, meat, eggs, Beyond TALCO, Tajiki- ment project produces cot- tural sector, and the chal- national business forums. refrigerating, storing milk and wool. Notable in- stan’s northern region of ton garments sold in Europe lenges in refrigerating, stor- Besides Tajikistan itself, ad- and transporting this dustrial development includ- Sughd was especially nomi- for the Carrera brand. ing and transporting this jacent markets, including produce to export ed the establishment in 1975 nated by Soviet planners as Civil conflict during the produce to export markets. China and Afghanistan, offer markets of the world’s largest alumi- the center of industrial de- early to mid 1990s impacted Yearly crop yields reach im- lucrative potential based on num smelter. With a 500,000- velopment in the republic. dramatically on newly inde- pressive volumes for a mainly the growing demand in these ton annual smelting capacity, Its proximity to regional road pendent Tajikistan’s industri- mountainous country, with countries. this production facility re- and rail transport networks al base. Combined with dam- limited flat, arable land. Ac- Underpinning a strong mains one of the best-known connecting it to neighbor- age to infrastructure and the cording to official statistics, recovery in the textiles busi- cotton is generally exported examples of Tajik industrial ing republics made it bet- disruption of supply chains, annual production reaches ness is the huge volumes in a raw, unprocessed state, development. Located in ter suited than the country’s the brain drain caused by an the following for the agri- of raw cotton produced in however new factories are what is now the city of Tur- south for the movement of exodus of technical special- cultural commodities listed: the country, which annually opening up almost continu- sunzoda, the smelter became precursors and finished ma- ists caused a steep decline wheat (947,000 tons), rice reach 350,000–450,000 tons, ously to add value to the crop. the core of the Tajik Alumi- terials. This included exten- in production. However, fol- (78,000 tons), potatoes (1 according to Kasim Rohbar, Traditionally these have been num Company (TALCO). sive chemical production, lowing the stabilizing of the million tons), vegetables (1.5 Minister of Agriculture. The concentrated in the Sughd

Our World Insert is produced by United World. USA Today did not participate in its preparation and is not responsible for its content Distributed by USA TODAY Friday, March 20, 2015 7 TAJIKISTAN

and south of the country. The completion of these tunnels, made possible through for- eign partnership, thus played a huge role in expanding in- ternal connectivity. Railway has played an im- portant role in Tajikistan’s transportation system since 1929, when the first national railway was established here by Soviet officials. Today, Ta- jikistan has some 600 miles KYRGYZSTAN of railway, managed and op- erated by Rohi Ohani Tojik- iston (Tajikistan Railways). The last quarter of 2014 saw The new Line D of the extension of the Amu Darya routes available to the coun- the beginning of construc- Central Asia-China gas Basin, which has generated try. However, this situation tion to join the Central Line pipeline will take a substantial finds including has dramatically changed to the Southern Line through direct route by crossing Galkynysh in Turkmenistan, since independence, follow- the connection of the cities briefly into Uzbekistan the origin point of Line D. ing the establishment by Ta- of Vahdat and Yavan. The There are currently several jikistan’s government of eight distance of just 25 miles may and cutting through the significant operations under- international highways to seem insignificant, but the mountainous territory way to access these basins. neighboring countries. These topography presents chal- CHINA of Tajikistan and These include those of the include roads to the Kyrgyz lenges for project specialists. MOST LIKELY Kyrgyzstan. Around Russian energy giant Gaz- Republic, Uzbekistan, Af- In fact the difficult terrain ne- EXPORT ROUTE FOR 255 miles of the total prom, which has drilled the ghanistan and China. cessitates the construction of TAJIK GAS 620-mile line will deepest prospecting well in The mountainous, high al- three tunnels and 11 bridges. be lie in Tajikistan’s Central Asia, some four miles titude conditions of much of This link in rail connec- RAILWAY territory, thus offering deep, just 30 miles from the the country present a num- tions allows for greater the country the biggest country’s capital. ber of challenges in road con- projects of international sig- INTERNATIONAL investment seen since In addition, a number of struction. A symbol of this nificance to become viable. RAILWAY independence, as well multinational operators have is the M41 Highway, popu- Foremost amongst them is undertaken oil and gas explo- as job creation and larly known as The Pamir the Turkmenistan–Afghani- ration or development activi- Highway. This scenic route, stan–Tajikistan railway proj- substantial revenues ties in Tajikistan, focused on now popular with tourists, ect. Through the connection both the southern and north- connects Afghanistan, Uz- of the Southern and Central ern basins. These include bekistan, Tajikistan and the Lines, Dushanbe will be con- CNPC, Total, MNP Petro- Kyrgyz Republic. It stretches nected to the southern city of PAKISTAN leum Corporation (through the breadth of Tajikistan and Panj, close to the Afghan bor- its majority stake in Somon straddles the Chinese border. der. From here a line can be Oil), Energy Partners Austria, It is in this high, remote area constructed to the northern and Tethys Petroleum. of Tajikistan’s east that new Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif Most of this supply origi- gas, but instead will receive nels, because more than 47 roads and international bor- and northwards to Turkmen- nates from gas-rich Turk- transit fees and tax revenues.” miles of the pipeline will Better international der crossings link the coun- istan. The actual distance is menistan and is carried over Annually some 30 bil- literally go through moun- transportation con- try to China. not far, less than 100 miles. thousands of miles of pipe- lion cubic meters will be tains. It is a very challeng- nections To the south, bridges have The successful comple- lines, bypassing the moun- exported from this pipeline. ing project from a technical Establishing better transpor- been built spanning the tion of this ambitious proj- tains of Tajikistan and Kyr- This amount equals the pro- perspective.” tation links, both domesti- Panj River that makes up ect would greatly reduce gyzstan, to Western China. duction capacity of the first During the groundbreak- cally and internationally, has most of the 800-mile bor- the cost of import/export However this situation has phase of the Galkynysh field, ing event in Rudaki District, been one of the government’s der between Tajikistan and for landlocked Tajikistan. By changed following the devel- meaning that the completion President Rahmon himself priority focuses for Tajiki- Afghanistan. During Soviet connecting Tajikistan’s rail- opment of the Galkynysh gas of the project should increase highlighted the unique engi- stan’s development. times, no border crossings way network to Turkmeni- field (also known as South Central Asian gas supplies to neering feats that will have One major improvement or bridges existed between stan’s, Tajikistan would be Yolotan field) in Eastern China by around 50%, a dra- to be carried out to complete to the country’s international the two territories. able to freight goods by rail Turkmenistan. Thought to be matic leap forward for the the project, including that transportation infrastructure Not surprisingly given Ta- from ports on the Persian one of the largest gas fields in region’s economy. “In 24 (out of a total of 47) of was the opening of the new jikistan’s role in stabilizing Gulf. Such a move would the world, production from Work began on Tajikistan’s these cases, the tunnels will terminal of Dushanbe Inter- Afghanistan, the U.S. govern- greatly reduce the very ex- Galkynysh has prompted section of Line D on Sep- be underwater”. national Airport in Septem- ment has supported efforts pensive logistics costs cur- the beginning of construc- tember 13, 2014. During a The effect of the construc- ber 2014, built with the finan- to integrate the economies of rently afflicting the country tion of a new, fourth pipeline. ceremony in Rudaki District, tion phase on the local econ- cial and technical support the two countries. The bridge and also greatly improve the Importantly for the future of south of Dushanbe, President omy cannot be understated. of the French government. at the Panji Poyon (Lower speed of delivery. Tajikistan, this line will take a Emomali Rahmon, and Xi Jin- It is estimated that around The commissioning of this Panj) border checkpoint, lo- Planners have also long far less circuitous course than ping, President of the People’s 3,000 jobs will be created as a modern facility has greatly cated approximately 60 miles considered the idea of con- its predecessors. Republic of China, signed the result, with a further flow on increased the capacity to re- south of Dushanbe, was fi- necting Tajikistan’s railway Rather than spanning the final agreements and hosted to subcontractors and suppli- ceive passengers as well as nanced by the U.S. Army network to China via Kyrgyz- deserts and relatively flat the official groundbreaking. ers. The project is forecast to improving comfort. This ter- Corps of Engineers. This im- stan. If the Turkmenistan–Af- lands of Central Asia, the It is there, close to the Uzbek be completed by late 2017. minal has extended the size pressive, 2,200-foot concrete ghanistan–Tajikistan Railway significantly shorter Line border, that the Tajik section Looking beyond the sig- of the airport’s facility by over bridge provides an important becomes a reality it would D of CACGP, will take a of the line begins as its neigh- nificance of Line D as an 118,000 square feet, catering commercial link for trade provide tremendous incen- more direct route by cross- bor’s ends. energy transit project, no to an additional 1.5 million between the two countries tive to complete the link with ing briefly into Uzbekistan The Chinese National significant hydrocarbon dis- passengers per year. Similar since its completion in 2007. China. Such a connection and cutting through the Petroleum Corporation coveries in Tajikistan have renovations are taking place The Tajikistan–Afghani- would then allow rail freight mountainous territory of (CNPC) is working in coop- been made public to confirm in the country’s other inter- stan Friendship Bridge is to be transported overland Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. eration with Tojiktransgaz to that the country has its own national airports located in also a case in point. Com- from China, through Tajiki- Consequently its estimated carry out the project. In part- sizeable oil and gas reserves. the cities of Khujand, Kulyab pleted in 2004, it links stan to the Middle East, and length is 620 miles, half the nership with Tojiktransgaz, The country is currently and Kurgan Tyube. Khorog, the capital of the vice versa, offering lucrative length of the most direct of the newly established CNPC heavily dependent on im- Somon Air, Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Auton- commercial opportunities for the previous pipelines. The subsidiary, the Trans-Asia ports, with 90% of its oil and first private airline, has seen omous Region, to the Bada- the entire region. longest stretch of the line Gas Pipeline Company, will gas supplied from abroad. consistent growth in recent khshan Province of Afghani- Projects to boost power will be constructed in Ta- guide both the construction The geology is positive how- years, as well as an improve- stan. This suspension bridge generation, the CASA-1000 jikistan, offering the country and operational phases of the ever, as the wider region has ment of service. Its fleet is was built by the Aga Khan electricity export project, the the biggest investment seen project. For the time being, borne witness to, and opti- made up of Boeing aircraft Development Network, commissioning of Line D of since independence, as well the challenges of construc- mism abounds in industry with internationally expe- supported by the Norwe- CACGP, energy exploration as job creation and substan- tion remain at the forefront, circles. However, a lack of rienced staff ensuring and gian and U.S. governments. and trans-national transpor- tial revenues. due to the mountainous to- investment in exploration maintaining international The upgrading and con- tation linkages present a pos- “This length of the section pography of the country that since the collapse of the So- safety standards. It currently struction of domestic over- itive future for Tajikistan. Not of this pipeline on the territo- poses an array of challenges viet Union, until very recent- flies to over 20 destinations land transport infrastructure only would the successful ry of Tajikistan will be around to project planners. ly, has delayed development. internationally and is the of- has had an equal, if not great- realization of these projects 255 miles,” explains Mr. Uz- According to the energy Tajikistan has two estab- ficial carrier of the Office of er impact on the economy make Tajikistan a central hub monzoda. “Approximately minister, “The detailed de- lished oil and gas basins on the President. of Tajikistan. Such connec- for the transit of commodi- $300 million will be provided sign-survey works are ongo- its territory. The Fergana Soviet planners developed tions, including tunnels, have ties and goods, but it would from Chinese banks to Tojik- ing at this time, and we had Basin, in the north, has been overland transport access played an important role in better integrate the country tranzgas (a state-owned gas solved all questions con- producing oil since 1900 and to Tajikistan via neighbor- maintaining national unity. into the regional economy. company), and a total of $3.2 cerning land acquisition. extends over Uzbekistan, ing Uzbekistan, as the latter Prior to the completion to the Such a move would promote billion will be invested in re- CNPC and Tojiktransgaz Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. formed a central hub during Anzob and Shakhristan tun- stability in neighboring coun- alizing the project. According have already started work The Tajik-Afghan Basin this period. As a result, prior nels, it was necessary to drive tries including Afghanistan to the standing agreements in Rudaki district. Now they stretches over the southwest- to independence, there were overland through Uzbekistan and create the basis for large- Tajikistan will not utilize the are creating designs for tun- ern part of Tajikistan. It is an only limited international to travel between the north scale regional cooperation.

Region and its capital Khu- years with the involvement Underpinning a jand, but new enterprises of foreign partners. An ex- strong recovery in have been established in the ample of this is the Zaraf- the textiles business is southern parts of Tajikistan, shon gold mine near Panjik- the huge volumes of especially in Khatlon Region. ent, north of Dushanbe. In In fact in December 2014 fact the ancient name of the raw cotton produced construction began there mine site is derived from the in the country, which on the largest textile facility Persian for “spreader of gold”, annually reach in Central Asia. This com- indicative of the long history between 350,000 plex, currently being built in of gold finds and the richness and 450,000 tons Dangara District, will be able of the deposit. Significant to process approximately quantities of silver also exist 52,000 tons of cotton annu- in the north, most notably ally. Once the spinning mill is based on recent discoveries surprising that local indus- in operation, which is expect- at the Bolshoy Kanimansur try has reacted to this area ed to take place in the third site. Antimony, used in a va- as well. The proliferation of quarter of this year, it will riety of applications, has also enterprises specializing in produce approximately 500 been found in large quanti- construction materials to million square feet of fabric ties in Tajikistan. Altogether meet demand has resulted in annually. These first stages of some 70 different minerals record levels of production. development will create jobs have been discovered dur- The announcement in Octo- for around 600 people. Over ing the modern period of ber 2014 of 1 million metric the years to come, the com- Tajikistan’s history, offering tons of cement production plete development of the full potential for future develop- being recorded in Tajikistan four stages of the complex is ment of the extractive sector for the first time ever is an predicted to require a total of based on commodity price example of this trend. With 6,000 workers. fluctuations. the heavy tempo of mega- Mining, a reoccurring In response to the num- projects continuing, it is industry throughout Tajiki- ber of infrastructure and likely this figure will increase stan’s history, has been suc- construction projects taking in response to the market’s cessfully revamped in recent place in the country, it is not increasing appetite.

Our World Insert is produced by United World. USA Today did not participate in its preparation and is not responsible for its content 8 Friday, March 20, 2015 Distributed by USA TODAY TAJIKISTAN Unique nature and culture irresistible to tourists

The country is a barely discovered gem of hospitality, dramatic landscapes, and ancient culture and history

From the modern, green and prosperous capital city of Dushanbe to remote villages, vast plateaus and the pristine “rooftop of the world” Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan’s stunning landscapes and protected natural wonders offer visitors a spectacular mix of experiences n ancient, fast growing and wel- coming country, Tajikistan com- bines stunning nature with a fascinating cul- Ature. From luxury accommoda- tion in the capital to charming villages, historical cities, moun- tain lakes, and even glaciers, it offers a unique experience for the discerning tourist. One aspect that continues to intrigue visitors is Tajiki- stan’s ancient culture and tra- ditions. This year, March 21 is the first day of Navruz, a pre- Islamic celebration thought to be more than 3,000 years old and an important national holiday in modern Tajikistan. The name itself translates as “New Day”, marking the start of the ancient Persian New Year, which is also the first day of spring. The Navruz tradi- tion is widely celebrated by people living in South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Numerous festivals are held to honor the occasion, which have a strong emphasis on nature, renewal and pros- perity for the coming year. delegations from neighboring Navruz is just one cultural countries which also celebrate aspect of Tajikistan that points the holiday. to its ancient and rich civiliza- Far and away the most tion. Historical records place it popular destination for inter- as part of the First Persian Em- cities, ruins and fortresses, Silk The only Persian- national tourism is the Pamirs pire during the fourth century Road sites, and even a medieval speaking republic in the country’s east. This vast, BC, with it later becoming part Buddhist monastery complex among the former sparsely inhabited, high moun- of the territory conquered by unearthed some 60 miles from Soviet states of Central tainous region was nicknamed Alexander the Great. Tajikistan the capital, Dushanbe. Asia has a rich cultural “the rooftop of the world” by became part of the Silk Road This city is itself modern, and linguistic heritage British explorers. It is home and remained within subse- prosperous and green, with less that is reflected in the to vast swathes of ice and can only be comfortably explored quent Persian-speaking em- than 1 million inhabitants. It diverse mix of people pires, including that founded was established as the capital of during summer months. Over by Ismoil Somoni, its national Tajik Socialist Soviet Republic who offer a warm recent years ecotourism has hero. It was later annexed by the during the 1920s and conse- welcome to visitors prospered as more and more Russian Empire in the 1870s. quently became the capital of looking to experience Westerners seek to access the The country’s time under the independent Tajikistan follow- a unique nation remote wilderness. Soviet Union saw it heavily ing the dissolution of the USSR. From the capital city of Kho- influenced by Russia’s cultural Last year the city celebrated rog, visitors can access glaciers, traditions, as well as undergo- its 90th anniversary. The name azure lakes and mountain ing a period of intense modern- “Dushanbe” actually means streams juxtaposed against an- ization and education. Monday in Persian. cient ruins and friendly locals Tajikistan is the only Persian- Increasingly the city is seeing in traditional dress. It is home speaking republic among the more infrastructure develop to international restaurants, cafes, to the highest mountains in the former Soviet states of Central receive international visitors. bars and fitness facilities on par former USSR and is regularly Asia. It traces its literary tradi- A new terminal was opened at with any luxury hotel in the visited by hikers and alpinists tion to writers such as Rudaki, Dushanbe International Air- wider region. from Russia, Europe and Asia. seen as the founder of Persian port last September to allow The Serena Hotel is an- Many cyclists and travel- classical literature, and Fer- for greater volumes of visitors other popular luxury hotel in ers take advantage of the dowsi, author of the epic poem and improve traveler comfort. Dushanbe. It was built by the culture and diversity. Its various important historical and eco- Pamir Highway, which curves The Shahnameh (The Book Flights from regional hubs Aga Khan Fund for Economy event halls are incredible to be- nomic role in Tajikistan’s devel- through spectacular scenery, of Kings). Other figures that including Moscow, Istanbul and Development (AKFED) in hold. Some have been painted opment. Famous sites include mountain passes, remote vil- are part of the cultural and lin- and Dubai offer regular flight 2011 as a uniquely Tajik expe- in the ancient Persian manner the Panjshanbe Market (one of lages and vast plateaus. Many guistic heritage include Omar connections to the city. Tour- rience, with local designs and with murals. Others are hand Central Asia’s largest markets), rare and endangered fauna and Khayyam, known for writing ist visas can now be issued on symbols used in the décor and carved out of wood to reflect the Khujand fortress, and an flora can be seen along the way, the Rubaiyat, as well as the phi- arrival, a government initiative architecture. Established in national symbols, while an- impressive city museum. The including snow leopards, bears, losopher and scientist Ibn Sina, aimed at improving the coun- 2009, the Hyatt Regency Du- other is set with precious stones city is also famous for its unique Marco Polo sheep and wild whose work strongly influenced try’s tourism potential by mak- shanbe was the first major in- found across the republic. Mu- and delicious cuisine. mountain goats. the development of medicine. ing it easier for travelers to visit. ternational hotel chain to open rals of the nation’s heroes and Khujand is largely powered With everything to offer visi- Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, the Asian Express, a transport in the city. Nearby, a new lux- poets have been set in a serious by a nearby hydropower plant tors from luxury accommoda- Sufi scholar, traveler and poet, company, offers interna- ury mixed-use development, of domes around the outside on the Kairakkum reservoir. tion in the capital, to a plethora is buried in the Khatlon Region tional visitors modern, highly Diar Dushanbe, is currently of the building amongst gar- This vast body of water is a ma- of ancient sites and stunning of Tajikistan and appears on the trained taxi services with a being built to cater to local and dens and fountains. The facility jor tourist attraction, especially nature, Tajikistan is a unique 10 Somoni note. fleet of brand new vehicles. international demand for up- has been opened to the gen- during the summer months, and welcoming country for The works of such thinkers It also provides luxury coach market housing. eral public and even includes a and is nicknamed “The Tajik tourism. It is certainly one of are strongly promoted in mod- services for inter-city trans- There is no shortage of high- bowling alley. Sea” by locals. the region’s best-kept secrets for ern Tajikistan, despite their port. In addition, the compa- level meetings and conferences A series of resorts and cabins Its most well-known resort is the intrepid adventurer. vastly different philosophies on ny is seeking to open interna- taking place in Dushanbe. Dur- have been established in the ad- the brand new Bahoriston San- morality, religion and humanity. tional overland bus routes as ing 2014 it was nicknamed “The jacent Varzob Valley. Less than atorium, meaning “Kingdom of It is indicative of the rich diver- tourist demand increases. Diplomatic Capital of Central a 30-minute drive from the city Spring”. This amazing complex sity that makes up the country. A number of five-star hotels Asia” based on the high tempo center, this picturesque area can host thousands of guests Although the Tajik dialect of have opened in Dushanbe over of such events. The spectacular offers nature, rivers and hot and offers not only crystal-clear Persian is the national language, the past six years as demand for Kohi Navruz (Navruz Palace) springs to Dushanbe residents waters for swimming or fishing, it is just one of dozens spoken luxury accommodation, driven hosted the 2014 Shanghai Co- looking for a relaxing getaway. but also a full range of luxury across an ethnically diverse by economic development, for- operation Organization Heads Tajikistan’s second largest facilities for sports, recreation, country. These include Russian, eign investment and high level of State Summit, which was city and northern business cosmetic treatments, and sce- Uzbek and Kyrgyz, as well as an conferences, continues to grow. attended by the presidents of center is Khujand. Established nic hikes. Visitors can easily array of Pamiri languages in the With 148 rooms and suites, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, more than 2,500 years ago, it is access Khujand itself, as well as country’s mountainous east. the newest and largest is the Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turk- one of the oldest cities in Cen- mountainous nature and his- A number of unique, World Sheraton, managed by Star- menistan, Afghanistan, Mon- tral Asia. A Greek settlement torical sites from this beautiful Heritage sites are located in wood Hotels. This brand new golia and Iran. was even established here by location. This year it is being Tajikistan as a result of its rich hotel, located in a rapidly devel- The incredible building has Alexander the Great. Over used to host national Navruz history. These include ancient oping business district, offers been designed to reflect Tajik the centuries it has played an events that include visiting

United World would Daniel Zaretsky Shamsiya Rakhimshoeva Sazovor Murodov Shermahmad Niyozov Jamshed Yusufiyon like to thank the Ilkhom Makhkambaev Kseniya Mironova Vafo Niyatbekov Ahmad Saidmurodov Navruz Valiev following people for Ari Neumann Firuza Saifidinova Abdulfayiz Atoev Daler Gufronov Ismoil Ismoilov their kind support: Zamira Safarova Faridun Saidov Farangis Bekova Abdukarim Negmatov Almaz Saifutdinov

Our World Insert is produced by United World. USA Today did not participate in its preparation and is not responsible for its content