DUSHANBE, November 26, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Chairman of Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Sharif Said, yesterday met here with Canadian Ambassador to Tajikistan, Stephen Millar, according to the CCI press service.

In the course of the talks, Said briefed Millar on the priorities of Tajikistan’s economy.  He, in particular, noted that a number of Canadian companies, including Canog Energy Inc, have already been cooperating with Tajikistan.

For his part, Ambassador Millar noted that Canadian business groups were interested in expanding business ties with Tajikistan in sectors like energy, mining, construction of roads and tunnels, and civil aviation, the press service said, noting that the sides reached an agreement on holding a Tajik-Canadian business forum in the future.    

We will recall that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has provided development assistance to Tajikistan since 1994.  As part of this assistance, CIDA has a C$3 million technical assistance program in Tajikistan in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF).  Canada was the first country to donate funds to the AKF for ongoing reconstruction and development in Tajikistan.  In addition, the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, managed by the Embassy of Canada in Kazakhstan, is available for local development projects.