DUSHANBE, January 7, 2015, Asia-Plus -- In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the head of Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Sharif Said, noted on January 7 that Tajikistan may become a developed country in the near future if it uses existing potential reasonably.        

“Tajikistan is rich in natural resources which have not been used so far,” said CCI top manager.  “Thus, only five percent of the country’s estimated technical potential for hydropower has been developed so far while there is a huge hydropower trade area (Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan) near us.”

Construction of new hydropower plants will allow Tajikistan to sell surplus electricity to neighboring countries.  “Moreover, new power facilities will promote development of the industrial sector of the country,” Sharif Said noted.

According to him, Tajikistan also has good potentials for development of its light and mining industries.

CCI head pointed to the necessity of gradually giving up the export of raw materials and attracting foreign investments for establishment of modern enterprises for processing the cotton and primary aluminum Tajikistan produces into manufactured goods inside the country.