Dushanbe, September 5, 2026 – The Europe Today: President of Tajikistan and Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon on September 4 inaugurated the renovated and digitized Shamsiddin Shohin Public Library of Khatlon Region in Bokhtar city.
Established in 2011, the regional public library was completely renovated and modernized at a cost of 7 million somoni by the regional executive authorities as part of preparations for the 35th anniversary of Tajikistan’s state independence and within the framework of declaring 2026–2030 as the “Years of Reading Culture” in Khatlon Region.
The major educational and cultural center houses more than 400,000 books and other information resources in Tajik, Russian and English. The collection includes approximately 100,000 children’s books.
The library’s halls and departments have been equipped with modern technologies, including 100 computers and tablets connected to the internet. Its digital repository contains around 2 million works of fiction and literature covering various fields, providing users with extensive electronic access to educational and informational resources.
President Rahmon was informed that following its renovation and digital transformation, the library has been converted into a modern innovation center.
Using artificial intelligence technologies, visitors can now conduct information searches, receive literature recommendations based on their interests and preferences, analyze content and access other services through the national electronic library application “Kitobdor,” which was developed at the facility.
The innovative project is the first of its kind to be implemented in Tajikistan and is expected to serve as a model of best practice for the development of modern libraries in other cities and districts across the country.
A Presidential Media Library has also been established at the facility, containing more than 5,000 multimedia materials. Its primary purpose is to create a dedicated collection of official state documents and materials related to the activities of President Emomali Rahmon, the Government of Tajikistan and the Majlisi Oli, the country’s parliament.
Speaking with library staff, President Rahmon praised the modernization and digitization of the educational and cultural institution. He emphasized that throughout the 35 years of independence, the Government of Tajikistan has regarded the development of librarianship and reading culture as an important component of its cultural policy, stressing the enduring value of books as a treasure of human civilization.
A total of 35 employees currently work at the library, focusing on encouraging members of the public to read and contributing to the development of knowledge, wisdom and cultural awareness.
During his visit, President Rahmon also remotely inaugurated seven facilities of various purposes in Bokhtar city and the districts of Kushoniyon and Jaloliddin Balkhi.
The newly commissioned facilities include a building for the Khatlon Regional Department of the Agency for Social Insurance and Pensions, providing 65 jobs; a new building for the Khatlon Regional Department of the State Fire Service under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with a personnel capacity of 1,400; and the Anisa Hotel in the Tursunzoda neighborhood, featuring 50 beds and 20 jobs.
The administrative and educational-practical building of the Bokhtar Medical College was also commissioned, along with Secondary School No. 74 in Shurazamin village of the Navoi rural community in Jaloliddin Balkhi District. The school has capacity for 500 students studying in two shifts and is equipped with improved educational facilities, modern technologies and specialized classrooms.
As part of the implementation of Tajikistan’s fourth strategic national goal — rapid industrialization — President Rahmon remotely inaugurated an asphalt and concrete plant in the Bokhtarion settlement with a production capacity of 2,500 tons per day and 20 jobs.
He also commissioned a plant in Kushoniyon District producing specialized powder for asphalt, with a daily production capacity of 240 tons and 15 jobs.
President Rahmon described the constructive initiatives of entrepreneurs as patriotic and exemplary contributions to the country’s development. He stressed the importance of ensuring high product quality and called for further expansion of the enterprises’ activities and the creation of additional employment opportunities.
