DUSHANBE, November 27, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- On Thursday November 26, Chairman of Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Sharif Said met here with Mr. Jurgens Young, Charges d''Affaires, Embassy of South Africa in Kazakhstan, according to the CCI press service.

Said and Young discussed issues related to establishment and expansion of economic and trade ties between Tajik and South African countries.

The CCI head noted that Tajikistan attached significance to expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation with the South African Republic as perspective partner.  He briefed Mr. Young on the Tajik CCI activity that is aimed at promoting and supporting development of private sector in the country, creating favorable conditions for activity of foreign investors in the country.

He outlined sector like energy, mining, mechanical engineering, construction of roads, tunnels and bridges as areas of which could drive the bilateral trade between Tajikistan and South Africa.

Said also noted that Tajikistan, where some 70 percent of the population lived in rural areas, needed modern technologies and equipment for processing cotton fiber, cocoons, wool, leather, fruits and vegetables.  He proposed to organize conferences of representatives from business communities of the two countries and hold exhibitions of South African enterprises in Tajikistan.

For his part, Mr. Young confirmed his country’s intention to expand trade and economic cooperation with Tajikistan.  He proposed to organize a regional business forum with participation of representatives of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and South Africa, the CCI press service said.