_BIOGRAPHY A water engineer by training, he began his career at the Nurek Hydropower Plant before moving into regional water management and international cooperation. From 2005 to 2009, he chaired the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, later serving as First Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources. He also represented Tajikistan abroad as Ambassador to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, before returning to leadership roles in transboundary water management

“BY 2040, TAJIKISTAN AIMS TO BE NOT JUST AN INVESTMENT DESTINATION, BUT A STRATEGIC HUB FOR SUSTAINABLE, HIGH-YIELD PROJECTS ACROSS EURASIA.”

TAJIKISTAN IS IMPLEMENTING ITS INVESTMENT ATTRACTION STRATEGY THROUGH 2040, WITH A FOCUS ON GREEN GROWTH, PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPROVING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT. WHAT ARE THE MAIN PRIORITIES, AND HOW WILL THIS SHAPE THE COUNTRY’S ROLE AS A COMPETITIVE INVESTMENT DESTINATION?

The Investment Attraction Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan through 2040 is not merely a programmatic document — it is a roadmap for transforming our economy and positioning the country as a globally competitive investment destination. Its goal is to build a sustainable, open, and technology-driven economy fully integrated into global value chains.

The strategy rests on three priorities. The first is green investment, where we are leveraging Tajikistan’s hydropower and solar potential to expand renewable energy, promote sustainable agriculture, and foster clean production. This creates new export opportunities and strengthens Tajikistan’s reputation as a “green country” and reliable partner in the global energy transition. The second is private sector development, achieved by improving conditions for entrepreneurship — from reducing administrative barriers and digitizing services to enhancing investor protection and expanding public-private partnerships.

Together, these measures foster a predictable business environment in which foreign investors can operate with confidence. The third is global competitiveness, pursued through infrastructure modernization, the development of transport and logistics corridors, and the adoption of international standards of transparency and governance. At the crossroads of Central and South Asia, Tajikistan is uniquely positioned to serve as a gateway to major regional markets.

By 2040, our vision is for Tajikistan to stand not only as a reliable investment destination but also as a strategic hub for sustainable, high-yield projects across Eurasia. The strategy is anchored in a balance of economic openness, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability — the very qualities that define successful investments today.

WITH STRONG GUARANTEES, TAX INCENTIVES, AND PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL OF AGREEMENTS, HOW DOES TAJIKISTAN BUILD INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND WHAT MODELS OF COOPERATION WORK BEST?

The Government of Tajikistan has developed a modern system of incentives to create a predictable, stable, and secure environment for investors. This framework includes tax and customs exemptions, state support for infrastructure, and robust legal guarantees for long-term commitments.

In 2025, the new Law On Investments and the Promotion of Investment Activity came into force, providing a solid foundation for project implementation. Its key innovation is the principle of legislative stability: if new regulations worsen conditions, the previous legislation remains valid for 15 years from the time of the investment. This safeguard ensures predictability — a decisive factor for capital-intensive, long-term projects.

These measures build trust, reduce risk, and attract not only financial resources but also advanced technologies and management expertise. They are already translating into new production facilities, rising export potential, job creation, and the growth of an innovation ecosystem. Special emphasis is placed on public-private partnerships, joint ventures, and clusters that combine international capital, technology, and local expertise. These models generate synergies, balance risks, and maximize impact for both investors and the national economy. The results are visible: expanded industrial capacity, stronger exports of environmentally friendly goods, new employment centers, and greater competitiveness — all reinforcing Tajikistan’s image as a reliable, forward-looking investment destination.

HOW IS TAJIKISTAN TURNING ITS HYDROPOWER AND SOLAR POTENTIAL INTO REGIONAL ENERGY LEADERSHIP THROUGH PROJECTS LIKE ROGUN AND CASA-1000?

One of Tajikistan’s greatest assets is its water. With more than 14,000 glaciers, 947 rivers, and over 1,300 lakes, the country generates nearly 60 percent of Central Asia’s total water resources. This underpins a hydropower potential of more than 527 billion kWh annually — the eighth largest in the world and the largest in the region. Yet only about five percent of this capacity has been harnessed.

Tajikistan also offers exceptional opportunities in solar and wind, with over 300 sunny days a year opening the way for large-scale investment. Already, 98 percent of our electricity comes from renewables, and the target is to reach 100 percent by 2032, paving the path toward becoming a fully “green country” by 2037. This vision is not only a national priority but also a contribution to the global climate agenda. At the heart of this strategy is the Rogun Hydropower Plant, a flagship project designed to meet domestic demand while enabling the export of clean electricity. Complementing this, the CASA-1000 project demonstrates Tajikistan’s readiness to play a central role in regional energy security by linking Central Asia’s resources with South Asia’s growing demand.

Alongside these initiatives, the government is fostering conditions for private investment in solar plants, small-scale hydropower, and hybrid projects. Such ventures diversify generation, create jobs, and strengthen the domestic green energy market. Together, they position energy not only as Tajikistan’s competitive advantage but also as a cornerstone of long-term economic resilience.

HOW IS TAJIKISTAN LEVERAGING ITS CRITICAL MINERALS TO LEAD IN THE GREEN TRANSITION?

Tajikistan holds 10 of the 12 critical minerals most in demand for the global green transition, giving us a unique resource base. Our objective is to move beyond raw material exports and focus on deep processing and high value-added production. Building on a power system already 98 percent renewable, we are implementing a package of incentives, including tax and customs benefits, special economic zones, and modern infrastructure in energy, transport, and digitalization. These measures create a predictable, legally secure environment where investors can confidently launch high-tech, environmentally friendly projects.

We emphasize low-carbon technologies and export-oriented manufacturing, with priority sectors such as metallurgy, battery and energy storage, advanced building materials, and green components for machinery. This approach maximizes the value of our resources while anchoring Tajikistan’s integration into global green value chains — opening new avenues for diversification and reinforcing our role as a reliable partner in sustainable development.

HOW IS TAJIKISTAN EXTENDING ITS “GREEN ALUMINUM” SUCCESS TO OTHER INDUSTRIES?

The success of Tajikistan’s national aluminum company — ranked among the world’s top five producers of green aluminum — proves that renewable energy can drive global competitiveness. We view this achievement as a benchmark for sustainable production and are extending the model to other strategic sectors.

In agriculture, the priority is organic farming with certification to international ecological standards, opening access to premium export markets and reinforcing Tajikistan’s reputation as a supplier of clean, high-quality food. In light industry, we are adopting energy-efficient technologies to produce textiles and garments with a minimal carbon footprint, giving our products an edge in sustainability-driven markets. In high-tech, we are promoting digital solutions, automation, and green technologies that cut emissions while boosting productivity, laying the groundwork for innovation clusters in green technology and Industry 4.0.

The “green aluminum” model has thus become a cornerstone of our wider strategy to embed sustainability and resource efficiency across the economy — enhancing Tajikistan’s global competitiveness and strengthening its role as a responsible contributor to the international climate agenda.

How is Tajikistan engaging with European partners to expand sustainable investment, and which sectors offer the strongest alignment?

Tajikistan’s priorities align closely with those of the European Union and Western investors, particularly in sustainability, the green transition, digitalization, and socially responsible projects. For us, attracting capital is only part of the equation — we aim to build lasting partnerships grounded in transparency, trust, and shared responsibility.

Engagement is expanding through high-level dialogues, participation in EU climate and energy programs, and platforms that connect international and domestic stakeholders. We are also creating conditions for European financial institutions, development agencies, and private investors to participate in large-scale projects.

Key opportunities lie in renewable energy, critical mineral processing, organic agriculture, clean food production, digital technologies, and logistics corridors linking Central Asia with Europe and South Asia. These sectors not only support Tajikistan’s strategic objectives but also deliver the social and environmental impact that European partners increasingly value.