Excellency President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea,
Excellencies, Heads of State,
Distinguished representatives of the business community,
Dear friends,
Today’s Summit provides a favourable platform for identifying ways to implement the objectives of the first Summit of Heads of State in the “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” format.
The theme of our Summit, “Cooperation and Partnership between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea for Promoting Innovation, Prosperity and Connectivity,” demonstrates that a sustainable future can only be ensured through mutually beneficial cooperation and the creation of an environment based on respect and trust.
It is gratifying to note that the “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” format has now developed into an important platform for cooperation, and that its objectives are aligned with the national development programmes and interests of the peoples of our countries.
Distinguished Summit participants,
The Government of Tajikistan is currently taking the necessary measures to develop strategic sectors, particularly energy, transport and communications, industry, digitalisation, agriculture and tourism.
Over the past twenty years, our country has maintained an average annual economic growth rate of 7.8 percent.
In recent years, we have implemented comprehensive reforms aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability, developing the private sector, supporting entrepreneurship, advancing digitalisation and implementing innovative projects.
Last year alone, more than US$5 billion in foreign investment and US$2.5 billion in domestic investment were attracted to the national economy.
Currently, more than 100 state investment projects, with a total value exceeding US$7 billion, are being implemented across various sectors of the national economy.
Our legislation provides investors with more than 240 types of guarantees and incentives, including over 110 tax and customs concessions.
Tajikistan’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) demonstrates the conformity of our legislation in this area with international standards.
Tajikistan possesses enormous hydropower potential and significant natural resources, including rare and critical minerals, as well as considerable tourism potential and a young workforce.
Taking into account our country’s potential and opportunities, I would like to propose several important areas for further cooperation:
1. Green energy
Our country is currently prioritising the development of renewable energy, particularly hydropower, solar and wind energy.
Tajikistan’s hydropower potential is estimated at approximately 527 billion kilowatt-hours per year, of which only about six percent is currently being utilised.
2. Extraction and processing of strategic minerals
Tajikistan possesses reserves of 10 types of critical and rare minerals. More than 800 mineral deposits and 70 types of mineral resources have been identified across the country.
Our country has significant reserves of antimony, silver, tungsten, lead, zinc, mercury, copper and fluorite. Deposits of lithium, niobium and tantalum have also been discovered within its territory.
3. Agro-industrial and agricultural sectors
These sectors are of key importance in all countries for ensuring food security.
In this regard, we are interested in establishing agricultural processing enterprises and export-oriented logistics centres.
4. Textile industry
The establishment of textile complexes for the production of finished goods represents another important area for investment.
5. Transport and interregional connectivity
As a landlocked country, Tajikistan is interested in ensuring reliable access to international transport corridors and seaports.
In this context, we consistently attach importance to the implementation of road and railway construction projects.
6. Tourism
Thanks to its natural resources and historical and cultural heritage, our country has considerable potential for developing tourism, including mountaineering, ecotourism, health and wellness tourism, and other forms of tourism.
At the present stage, our efforts in this area are primarily focused on developing tourism infrastructure.
7. Banking and finance
With a view to promoting economic development, we express our interest in expanding cooperation in the financial and banking sectors.
In this regard, we consider it important to expand cooperation in microfinance to support the private sector.
8. Artificial intelligence and digitalisation
We attach particular importance to the development of artificial intelligence as an important tool for accelerating digitalisation, enhancing economic competitiveness and achieving sustainable development.
It is precisely for this reason that, in recent years, at the initiative of Tajikistan, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted three resolutions on artificial intelligence (in 2024–2026).
With the aim of establishing a “Regional Centre for Artificial Intelligence” in Dushanbe, as envisaged under one of these resolutions, our country has created all the necessary favourable conditions.
Recently, at the initiative of Tajikistan, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed August 31 as the “International Day of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence.”
Dear friends,
We welcome the active participation of our friendly country in the implementation of relevant projects in all the areas mentioned above.
I am confident that these areas of cooperation will attract the interest of the business community and investors of the Republic of Korea.
In conclusion, I would like to express the readiness of the Tajik side to implement the agreements reached within the framework of today’s Summit, which will be adopted in the form of a Joint Declaration.
Once again, we sincerely express our gratitude to the Government and the friendly people of the Republic of Korea for organising our historic high-level summits in the beautiful city of Seoul and for the warm hospitality extended to us.
Thank you for your attention.
