DUSHANBE, June 3, 2011, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmon yesterday received a delegation of Pakistani entrepreneurs, led by Mr. Tariq Iqbal Puri, Chief Executive, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), according to the presidential press service.

In the course of the talks, the sides reportedly discussed prospects of further expansion of bilateral economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan.

Mr. Tariq Iqbal Puri informed the Tajik head of state of the results of negotiations and meetings held by the Pakistani business delegation with Tajik officials and representatives of the business community of Tajikistan in Dushanbe over the past three days.

The sides reached an agreement on cooperation in fields of energy, fishery, agriculture (processing of cotton fiber, leather, fruits and vegetables), and cement production.  Besides, Tajik and Pakistani businesspeople reached an agreement on launching joint venture in Tajikistan for processing cotton fiber into manufactured goods, the source said.

We will recall that a large delegation of Pakistani entrepreneurs, numbering 118 people, arrived in Dushanbe on May 30 for a three-day visit.  The industrial and services sectors represented in the delegation included: textiles, rice, pharmaceuticals, engineering, financial sector, food and agriculture, information technology, minerals, construction, travel and tourism, leather and so forth.  Areas of interest in the Tajik economy for Pakistani investors include cotton, aluminum and hydropower sectors in which joint venture opportunities will be explored.  On May 31, a conference wit participation of representatives of the business communities of Tajikistan and Pakistan took place in Dushanbe.