DUSHANBE, November 26, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Dushanbe and St. Petersburg, which is Dushanbe’s sister city in Russia, have stated their intention to sign an agreement on trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation.  

Russia’s Business News Agency reported that, referring to a statement made by the St. Petersburg Mayor Valentina Matviyenko and the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev during a meeting in St. Petersburg on November 25.  

Ms. Matviyenko outlined organization of the supply of machine-building and energy equipment manufactured by St. Petersburg enterprises to Dushanbe, professional training for Tajik migrant workers, as well as sectors like construction, urban infrastructure development, education, health care, and tourism as areas of which could drive the bilateral cooperation between the two cities.

Mr. Ubaidulloyev, for his part, noted that St. Petersburg’s experience in development of economic and humanitarian spheres would be useful for Tajikistan.  He, in particular, noted that enhancement of the energy sector and organization of training of personnel for that sector were among the priorities of the country’s policy.  

The agency noted that in 2007, St. Petersburg topped Russia’s regions in terms of trade with Tajikistan.