Tajikistan proposes Malaysian logistics, trading hub in FEZs
Published on: Saturday, March 12, 2022
By: Bernama
Tajikistan's Ambassador to Malaysia Ardasher Qodiri (Credit: Tajikistan Embassy in Malaysia) / Bernama
Kuala Lumpur: The Central Asian Republic of Tajikistan has proposed that Malaysian businessmen make use of the country’s Free Economic Zones (FEZs) to establish a Malaysia logistics and trading hub to distribute their products and goods to Tajikistan and other neighbouring countries.In making the call, Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Malaysia Ardasher Qodiri said that among the Malaysian products which could be distributed are palm oil, electric and electronics products and furniture which are currently being exported to Tajikistan from Malaysia.
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Tajikistan a former Soviet republic has a population of about 9.5 million and borders Afghanistan to the south, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and Uzbekistan to the west.
Qodiri said besides neighbouring countries such a logistics and trading hub could also be used to distribute Malaysian products to countries like Russia, Pakistan, Iran and Turkmenistan.
“We are ready to facilitate Malaysian companies interested in establishing logistics and trading hubs at our FEZs. We have even proposed that this can even be called as Malaysia logistics and trading hub for Central Asia”.
“By establishing and using this logistics and trading hub, Malaysia can increase its exports to Tajikistan and its neighbouring countries,” he told Bernama in an interview in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan-Malaysia diplomatic ties.
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Kuala Lumpur and Dushanbe established diplomatic relations on March 11, 1992. Tajikistan has an embassy here, while Malaysia’s embassy in Uzbekistan is also accredited to Tajikistan.
Qodiri who is also accredited to Indonesia and Thailand explained that Tajikistan’s FEZs are a testimony of the government’s support for private businesses, both local and international.
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He pointed out that the creation of FEZs were in line with the country’s industrial policy to create a more favourable business and investment climate in Tajikistan.
Currently there are five FEZs in Tajikistan - “Sughd”, “Panj”, “Dangara” , “Ishkashim” and “Kulob”.
According to Tajikistan’s FEZ website, in addition to an advantageous geographical location, tax and customs privileges granted to FEZ entities are also an attractive investment factor.
The FEZ website mentioned that the volume of direct investment in the free economic zones of the country in 2020 reached 43.3 million somoni (about US$4 million). In 2020, 72 domestic and foreign companies were registered as a subject of these free economic zones.
The ambassador said, Malaysian businessmen can also use the proposed logistics and trading hub to export Tajikistan products to Malaysia such as cotton, dried nuts, dried fruits as well as fresh fruits , besides other products from that region.
Qodiri pointed out that the trade volume between Tajikistan and Malaysia is very low and opening of a logistics and trading hub can help increase bilateral trade. Qodiri attributed low trade volume to lack of knowledge and awareness on both sides as well as the distance between the two countries.
He said in November last year, Tajikistan participated in an international expo here, where the country offered visitors to taste among others their home-grown nuts such as walnut, pistachios and raisin as well as natural honey and dried fruits.
“People in Tajikistan know Malaysia through our students here. We should have more exhibitions and exchange of cultural groups,” he said.
Qodiri said it should be noted that apart from Tajik students studying here, there are also some Tajik citizens working in Malaysia as lecturers, teachers and in other fields, who can play a role in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
“There are also hundreds of talented Tajik young people who have studied and currently studying in Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries who could work for Malaysian companies in Tajikistan,” the ambassador said.
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