Stable and Strategic at the Crossroads of Asia
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#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, Fgrowing 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.