The International Economic Forum of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states took place in Moscow on March 29.  The motto of the event was “From Dialogue to Joint Projects in the CIS, EAEU, SCO”.

The forum was held with the support of the CIS Executive Committee, with the attendance of members of the CIS Economic Council.

Tajikistan was represented at the event by Ms. Shahnoza Nodiri, Deputy Minister of labor Migration and Employment of the Population.  

During the forum, which featured 21 sections, the participants discussed the cooperation among the CIS countries in logistics, customs, construction, manufacturing, migration policy, healthcare, tourism, sustainable development and other areas.

The forum organizers emphasized that the main goal of the forum is to move from discussions to closer cooperation in such areas as economy, industry, education, culture, security, infrastructure development and others.  According to them, effective interaction between the countries of the CIS, EAEU and SCO integration associations requires not only political will and strategic vision, but also active participation of business communities, scientific and educational institutions, as well as civil society. 

In a statement delivered at the forum, Ms. Nodiri, in particular, noted that number of requests from Russian companies for workforce from Tajikistan has not decreased and “the work with state-run and business structures is proceeding as normal.”

“However, the calm pace of cooperation is hampered by publications on the Internet, which are inciting interethnic enmity, creating panic among Tajik migrant workers in Russia,” the Tajik deputy minister said.      

Touching upon the concert hall massacre in Krasnogorsk, Ms. Nodiri expressed confidence that masterminds and perpetrators of the deadly concert hall attack will be held accountable and punished.

She further noted that “the government and business structures of Russia are actively working with Tajikistan’s government bodies.” 

“However, on social networks and in the media there is an attempt to fan ethnic hatred,” said Ms. Nodiri.  “It should be noted that such publications intimidate people, create panic among them.  We need to dispel these sentiments, showing that all citizens who work legally, continue working in Russia and are not in danger.”  

“Yes, there are problems with those who work illegally – an action will be taken against them in accordance with the law,” Nodiri noted. 

Tajik official urged not to let hostility to each other grow. 

“In the current situation, it is very important not to follow the scenario of those who organized and masterminded the terrorist attack,” she said.  

“It is now extremely important for us to act as our parents and grandparents acted -- live in peace, harmony and friendship.  And do not give in to provocations of the terror attack masterminds,” Ms. Nodiri noted.  

According to her, it is incorrect to  close the entrance to everyone with “one click”, this area needs to be carefully regulated: for example, to make decisions related to illegal migration; to introduce strict liability for employers who accept them; to comply with language proficiency laws; to establish one center responsible for migrants; and so forth.   

The International Economic Forum of the CIS member nations was held in accordance with the Decision of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS dated December 18, 2020, paragraph 4.37 of the Plan of Main Actions for the Implementation of the Concept for the Further Development of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The forum was organized in 2009, and annually confirms its status as a discussion platform aimed at discussing key issues of interaction between business and government, taking into account current trends in the development of the global and regional economy.