Visit boosts Tajik-Saudi cooperation

A Tajik-Saudi inter-governmental committee met in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe this week to discuss economic and investment issues between Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan.
The Saudi and Tajik delegations were headed by Abdullatif Bin Ahmed Al-Othman, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Saidov Davlattali, president of Governmental Investments, and Naser Al-Tuwayan, director general of Media and Communications, SAGIA officials announced Friday.
Al-Othman also highlighted the importance of investing in such visits and meetings given the benefits that both countries may realize as a result of enhancing cooperation and increasing coordination between each other.
Al-Othman said the contribution by the large government delegation, composed of representatives from more than 21 government entities, to the work of this committee reflects the attention of the Kingdom’s leadership toward building bridges of cooperation and friendship with Tajikistan.
The delegations discussed methods to enhance trade and Investment exchange between the two countries, Al-Tuwayan said.
They also discussed signing a $25 million loan agreement between the Tajikistan Ministry of Finance and the Saudi Development Fund to finance a government project focused on constructing and equipping secondary schools in Tajikistan.
The project aims to expand the Tajikistan public education system in order to meet its growing demand. This project is part of the Tajikistan government’s initiative for developing its human resources.
The talks also focused on developing the required mechanisms to achieve significant goals, such as increasing mutual visits between businessmen from both countries and allowing them the opportunity to review trade and investment possibilities available in the Kingdom and Tajikistan.
Private sector companies will also participate in exhibitions and forums taking place in both countries, work on opening new markets and stimulate trade movement, establish joint investment projects between businessmen and investors in the Kingdom and Tajikistan and develop an adequate investment environment capable of promoting the role of the private sector.
The session also stressed the significance of sharing know-how in mining, energy, water and health, in addition to methods for training and developing human resources, developing the professional standards of technical specializations, and the role the Saudi Development Fund can assume in supporting economic and social development in Tajikistan.
The session also considered the mutual cultural and social aspects of both countries, including achieving a common form of cooperation in media and the fine arts. The parties discussed organizing various events and cultural activities to promote the relationship between the Kingdom and Central Asia countries such as the Republic of Tajikistan.