International Entrepreneurship Forum, 14-15 October 2016, Dushanbe Tajikistan

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The annual International Entrepreneurship Forum was held in Dushanbe-Tajikistan during 14-15 October 2016, organized under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E Mr. Emomali Rahmon. Objective of the Forum was to introduce and explore new investment opportunities present in the Republic of Tajikistan. National production was the central theme of the Forum and represented the most important platform for dialogue between the government and the private sector and is the largest business and investment event in the country. Senior government officials and foreign official dignitaries, experts and company managers, representatives of the international financial institutions, global and regional enterprises were present there.  

The Forum was opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E Mr. Qohir Rasulzoda, who welcomed the participants and noted that Tajikistan is open for cooperation on the basis of respect and neighborly relations with all states of the region and the world. He highlighted the Government plans for Agenda 2030 and economic development with a particular focus on industrialization mining and tourism.

CEO of Glencore International Mr. Ivan Glasenberg, President of the China-Tajikistan Mining Company Mr. Jiang Rong Huang, Senior Vice President of Qatar Airways Mr. Ali Al Rais, and Vice-President of Airbus Mr. Allen Keith were among prominent dignitaries who spoke at the Forum. The prince of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulmajid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Regional Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Central Asia Mr. McCain Neil and Regional Leader for Telecommunications at the World Bank Mr. Rajendra Singh were also among the speakers. President ECO Science Foundation Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro was also invited and participated in Forum.

The Forums ‘main work was organized into six panel sessions. Investment based Economic Policy: Opportunities of Free Economic Zones in Economic Development (I), “Import Substitution: New Business and Investment Opportunities (II), Attaining Energy Independence : Foundation for Industrial Growth (III),  Strengthening Infrastructure: Turning Tajikistan into a Transit Country (IV), Tajikistan’s Comparative Advantage in Agriculture (V),  and Tajikistan - A Tourism Country: Opportunities for Development (VI).

Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro joined the Agriculture panel (V), Chaired by the Minister of Agriculture Mr. Izzatullo Sattori who presented progress on agrarian reform and production data, showcasing a wide range of opportunities in agriculture.  Dr. Soomro during the panel discussion highlighted the potential of Agriculture in Tajikistan especially in the Fruit production and livestock. The health of the farmers and soil as well as the livestock health is important and must be emphasized upon. “The Capacity building of farmers, livestock management has a key role to play to uplift the potential in Agriculture sector, he added.

Dr. Soomro also had a sideline meeting with the Minister of Agriculture of Tajikistan and introduced ECO Science Foundation, its aims and objectives and programmes in ECO region.

The Forum was closed by the Minister of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Shavkat Bobozoda. In the framework of the Forum a number of memoranda and agreements were signed and a resolution of the Forum was adopted with a focus on reforms in climate for investment, improvement in banking system, enhance the quality of export products and promote Public Private Partnership (PPP).