DUSHANBE, September 13, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- An international three-day economic forum entitled “Free Economic Zones of Tajikistan: Potential of Development” has opened in the northern city of Qairoqqum today.

Organized by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) in cooperation with the administration of the Sughd Free Economic Zone (FEZ), Sughd regional government, the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) and the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, the event is dedicated to make investors aware of priorities of Tajik FEZs.

The meeting has brought together representatives from Tajik ministries and departments, international and regional organizations, diplomatic missions and trade representative offices accredited in Tajikistan as well as companies and public foundations.

According to MEDT, four free economic zones have been established in Tajikistan – FEZ Sughd in Sughd province, FEZ Panj and FEZ Danghara in Khatlon province and FEZ Ishkashim in Gorno Badakhshan.

To-date, 14 economic entities have been registered with the FEZ Sughd and two economic entities have been registered with the FEZ Panj.  A total volume of investment projects at both FEZs is 48 million U.S. dollars.

The free economic zones Danghara and Ishkashim are still at the organizing stage of development, the source said.