DUSHANBE, April 24, 2015, Asia-Plus – Three large enterprises will be constructed in Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s home district.

On Friday April 24, President Rahmon visited the Danghara Free Economic Zone (FEZ Danghara), which is located in the Lohour Jamoat of Khatlon’s Danghara district.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, Emomali Rahmon performed the foundation-stone ceremonies for three large industrial enterprises.

He reportedly planted time capsules in the foundation blocks for a cement plant, a glass work and a ceramic tile making plant.

A total cost of construction of these enterprises is more than 1.6 billion somoni.  Tajik and Chinese entrepreneurs will jointly invest in construction of these enterprises, the source said.

We will recall that an oil refinery is being constructed in FEZ Danghara.  President Emomali Rahmon and China’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Fan Xianrong attended a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of Tajik-Chinese joint oil refinery on March 23, 2014.  The enterprise with refining capacity of 1.2 million tons per year is expected to be introduced into operation at the end of 2015.

In the early 2000s, foreign direct investment has remained low because of political and economic instability, the poor domestic financial system, and Tajikistan’s geographic isolation.  To attract foreign investment and technology, Tajikistan has offered to establish free economic zones in which firms receive advantages on taxes, fees, and customs. In 2004, the parliament passed a law on free economic zones.  The zones reportedly offer customs and tax incentives to qualified investors that invest at least 500,000 USD and import at least 90% of the technology and equipment.  FEZ Danghara was established in 2009.