KHUJAND, September 15, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Four new economic entities have been registered with the Free Economic Zone (FEZ) Sughd.

This was announced at an international economic forum entitled “Free Economic Zones of Tajikistan: Potential of Development” that was held in the northern city of Qairoqqum on September 13-14.

Certificates were given to them on sidelines of the forum.  Besides, two Tajik-Chinese joint ventures will be launched in the FEZ Sughd, bringing the total number of companies operating in the FEZ Sughd to 16.

Besides, the first entities were registered with the free economic zones Ishkashim in Gorno Badakhshan and Danghara in Khatlon province.

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 was dedicated to make investors aware of priorities of Tajik FEZs.  The meeting 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.

Today, the fourth meeting of the Coordination Council on Free Economic Zones is being held in Qairoqqum.

We will recall that MEDT and the OSCE office in Tajikistan on March 29, 2010 signed a memorandum of understanding on the OSCE''s involvement in enhancing the Ministry''s capacity to coordinate the involvement and activities of international and national organizations for the development of free economic zones in the country.  The Coordination Council on Free Economic Zones was created under this agreement.  The Council held its first meeting on April 27, 2010 to discuss coordination activities for the 2010-2011 periods.