IFEZT

Investment in Tajikistan: New web page from Karachi, Pakistan, promoting Ischkoschim Free Economic Zone. Please have a look!

Thank you very much!

http://www.19pakasia.com/tajikistan/

Investment in Tajikistan

Meeting of representatives of Agha Khan Foundation with FEZ “Ishkoshim”

On the 11th of January 2014 AKF organized a meeting in Khorog between representatives of AKF, Alim Merali - Executive Assistant of the AKF General Manager (Geneva), Yodgor Faizov - Executive Manager of AKF Tajikistan, Kishwar Abdulalishoev – Executive Manager of MSDSP, the Administration of FEZ “Ishkoshim” and the Chairman, entrepreneurs and members of “Milal Inter” Association.

The purpose of the meeting was to exchange of opinions and view in regard to economic development in GBAO and defining the challenges and priority directions for business development in the region. Head of Administration of FEZ “Ishkoshim” Mr. Aidibek Bekmurodi presented the IFEZT, and explained about the strategy and its development. He pointed out that to establish production within the IFEZT, first of all infrastructure on the site needs to be established.

“In 2013, we received a budget of 1 million Somoni and implemented the first infrastructural works. In 2014 we will receive 1.3 million Somoni, but this is not enough yet to accelerate the work in FEZ and attract local and foreign businesses. We therefore take the opportunity of this meeting to inquire if AKF can contribute to the infrastructure of IFEZT, as was discussed previously by AKDN and AKF Representatives.”

“In addition, at present time IFEZT is having good opportunities for tourism development, e.g. infrastructure for hotels and restaurants, the production of handicrafts, and even location for tourism agencies. This does not require large investments but does provide the expectation of near-term growth and economic development.”

At the end of the meeting, the the main priority priorities for in business development in GBAO include:

1. Establishing investment funds and attracting direct investments to create better conditions for financing the most real business and investment projects in GBAO:

Infrastructure for tourism (hotels, food, handicraft, logistics etc);

Processing of agricultural products (vegetables, fruits, milk, wool, leather);

Processing of marble and semi-precious stones;

Production of medicinal drugs based on local herbs;

Development of sanatoriums, resorts, clinics on base of thermal and medicinal resources;

Assistance in development of bee-keeping, fish-breeding, chicken-breeding;

Development of cattle breeding, first of all, yak breeding in remote areas of Eastern Pamir in pastures of Javshangoz valley.

2. To provide assistance for the development of the Free Economic Zone “Ishkoshim, especially in establishing infrastructure and attracting investors.

Ishkoshim Free Economic Zone
on-the-spot mission
28.04. - 01.05.

Representation of IFEZT in Afghanistan for attracting foreign investment (Kabul & Faizabad) 4 - 12 February 2014

At the start of February a delegation of the Free Economic Zone Ishkoshim (IFEZT) travelled to Kabul and Faizabad, Afghanistan. In both cities IFEZT met with business representatives to discuss business and investment opportunities. In general the Afghan businessmen demonstrated interest in leather and wool processing, milk production, honey and dried fruits processing and processing of natural resources from Gorno Badakshan. They suggested also that IFEZT can play an important role in the support of Afghani business representatives in future with the visa procedure.

Government authorities from the Ministry of Economy and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce in Kabul mentioned that there exists a good relationship between the two countries but further promotion of the Free Economic Zone in Ishkoshim is necessary. The Chamber of Commerce can help with matchmaking / relationship building between Afghans and IFEZT. The best way to attract Afghan investor to IFEZT is to invite them to Ishkoshim.

For further introduction to the zone and explore it’s business opportunities IFEZT organizes a promotion event at the end of April and invites interested business representatives from neighboring countries Afghanistan, China and Pakistan.

On Monday the 23rd of December IFEZT organized a meeting at Khorog Serena Hotel with entrepreneurs of GBAO to discuss the business opportunity of Ishkoshim Free Economic Zone for the coming year.

Head of the Infrastructure Department of IFEZT, Suraj Gulomamadov explained during a presentation about the progress made in the IFEZT since 2011 with regard to infrastructure development and attraction of investment. Mr Gulomamadov mentioned that in cooperation with our partners like OSCE, VSO, AKF and of course the Government of R.T the administration of IFEZT could realize events such as the first International economic Forum in GBAO and visits abroad of IFEZT staff to promote IFEZT. In 2013 with financial support of VSO two delegations have visited Pakistan and China. These two business trips were very useful, because the administration of IFEZT could establish new contacts with business associations and entrepreneurs in Pakistan and China. Regarding infrastructure of IFEZT was mentioned that from 2012 with government financial support IFEZT started to build fans, internal road, water supply, electricity and reconstruction of administration building. The discussion after the presentation dealt mainly about the possibilities and challenges of infrastructure improvement.

10-13 December 2013
Travel to China to establish links with Chinese business sector and attract investment to the “Ishkoshim” FEZ

Half of December a delegation of the Free Economic Zone Ishkoshim (IFEZT) travelled to Urumchi, the capital of Central Asian China. With the purpose to establish links with the Chinese business sector and to attract investment to IFEZT met with representatives from the private and public sector. Just across the border, for many of the Chinese partners we met, IFEZT is a good location to enter the Tajik markets and the markets of Afghanistan and Pakistan. In particular they demonstrated interest to establish factories to produce and process raw materials and to be involved in logistics. In May this year a delegation of Chinese businessmen is planning to travel to GBAO to for further meetings.
It has to be mentioned that Ministry of Economy of China is willing to input in to their official website information regarding the Free Economic Zone.

Meeting with Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries

The Delegation of IFEZT, Suraj Gulomamadov, Gulyaman Anoyatshoeva and Matthias Bastian met the Secretary General Faiza Nasir of Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PAJCCI) on 5th December in Karachi.

During the meeting with Faiza Nasir and Syed Mairaj Ahmad (Business Development Manager PAJCCI) we had the possibility to enlarge our knowledge about the commercial, commerce and industrial relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and to change our experience of cross border trade between Afghanistan and Tajikistan and we like to thank Faiza Nasir and her team for our meeting.

The mission of PAJCCI is “PEACE & PROSPERITY THROUGH PROMOTION OF BI-LATERAL TRADE BETWEEN AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN”.

More information about the work of PAJCCI you will find here:

http://www.pajcci.com/

Visit of Pakistan German Business Forum, PGBF

IFEZT met the Pakistan German Business Forum, PGBF, COO Ines Chabbi, and BASF Managing Director Qazi Sajid Ali on 6th December in Karachi.

PGBF is fostering economic cooperation through promotion of bilateral trade, investment and industry between Pakistan and the Federal Republic of Germany. Provide a platform for best networking and services for Pakistani and German Companies. Increase awareness of German companies about business opportunities in Pakistan, and to facilitate the establishment of their business in Pakistan. http://www.pgbf.com.pk/

With personal and warm greetings we like to express our thanks for the meeting.

Meeting with our Consul General of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Irshad Ali S. Kassim, in Karachi

We, Suraj Gulomamadov, Gulyaman Anoyatshoeva and Matthias Bastian met our Consul General of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Irshad Ali S. Kassim on 4th and 5th of December in Karachi.

We would like to thank for the time Mr. Irshad Ali S. Kassim had divided for the meetings. The meetings have been one of the most helpful meetings for our project as we could discuss with him the challenges of our volatile markets and the underused potential within the IFEZT and a strong cross border trade. As we look forward to work together in the future, these meetings have been a bridge to that cooperation.

We, once more, we thank you for your time and all the attention you spend wholeheartedly.

Visit of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Delegation of IFEZT, Suraj Gulomamadov, Gulyaman Anoyatshoeva and Matthias Bastian met the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on 4rd December in Karachi.

The Karachi Chember of Commerce and Trade have more than 18,000 members! In one of the biggest citys of the world. http://kcci.com.pk/

Our leader of the mission Ms. Gul-e-Inam thanks to all of your members!

We trust!

It's our business to know your business!

Visit of Lafarge Pakistan Cement Ltd., Islamabad

The Delegation of IFEZT, Suraj Gulomamadov, Gulyaman Anoyatshoeva and Matthias Bastian visited LAFARGE PAKISTAN CEMENT Ltd. on 3rd December in Islamabad.

In a very interesting meeting with the Country CEO of Lafarge Pakistan, Mr. Amr Reda, we got interesting insights about the current activities of Lafarge in Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Lafarge Pakistan Cement (LP) is a part of Lafarge, world leader of construction materials. The state-of-the-art plant commenced Commercial Operations in December 2006 with an annual cement production capacity of 2.5m tons, thus becoming the largest production line in Pakistan. http://www.lafargepakistan.com.pk/

We would like to thank Mr. Amr Reda for the invitation and the conversation we had.