DUSHANBE, October 28, 2011, Asia-Plus -- The second session of the Tajik-Polish intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation that was held in Dushanbe on October 27 resulted in signing of a protocol, according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT).

Co-chaired by Mr. Umed Davlatzod, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan, and Mr. Rafal Baniak, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Economy of Poland, the session considered issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Poland.

The meeting participants pointed out an instable level of trade between the two countries.  Thus, a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Poland increased from 8.6 million U.S. dollars in 2009 to 18.9 million U.S. dollars in 2010.  In the meantime, trade between Tajikistan and Poland in 2008 amounted to 23 million U.S. dollars.  Over the first nine months of this year trade between the two countries has sharply decreased and has been only 37 percent of the January-September 2010 level.   

The sides outlined sectors like construction, agriculture, light industry, pharmaceutics, and tourism, as areas of which could drive the bilateral trade between Tajikistan and Poland, the MEDT source said.

According to him, the delegations also discussed issues related to getting a preferential loan form the Government of Poland for implementation of projects in Tajikistan.

A roundtable and business seminar with participation of representatives of Tajik and Polish business communities were held on sidelines of the meeting.