DUSHANBE, August 7, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- State and prospects of further expansion of economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan were a major topic of a meeting of Tajik Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sharif Rahimzoda with Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Abbasali Hasanov that took place here on August 6.

An official source at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT) says Tajik minister highly appraised expansion of mutually beneficial economic cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Azeri diplomat, for his part, noted that he would use all existing opportunities to promote further expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.

In the course of the talks, the two touched upon issues related to launching joint ventures, attracting investments from Azerbaijan for development of Tajikistan’s economy, as well as organization of business forums with participation of representatives of the private sector, the source added.       

According to data from the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, trade between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan over the first five months of this year has amounted to some 18 million U.S. dollars.  Tajikistan’s imports from Azerbaijan have reportedly accounted for 100 percent of trade between the two countries.  Tajikistan has imported mainly oil products from Azerbaijan.