DUSHANBE, March 9, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Turkish companies are ready to participate in modernization of hydropower facilities in Tajikistan, Mr. Ahmet Ataker, Trade Attaché, Turkish Embassy in Dushanbe, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

“Our specialists could share their knowledge and experience with their Tajik colleagues through providing technical consultations,” Mr. Ataker said.

Besides, Turkish companies intend to increase volumes of investments in Tajikistan’s economy, he noted.  “First of all, we plan to invest in construction of hydropower facilities because we consider that development of Tajikistan’s economy depends on implementation of hydroelectricity projects,” Mr. Ataker stressed, adding that Turkish companies would actively participate in tenders for construction of such facilities.

According to him, some 33 Turkish companies now operate in Tajikistan.

In 2008, a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Turkey amounted to 500 million U.S. dollars, while last year, the Tajik-Turkish trade decreased by 200 million U.S. dollars due to the global financial crisis.