Republic of Tajikistan is keen to cooperate with India in the energy sector for modernisation and rehabilitation of power stations.
Speaking on the sidelines of an interactive session organised by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce (MCC), Saidbeg Saidov, ambassador of Tajikistan in India stated that with the energy crisis last year, the country was targeting to be power efficient.
Around 95 small power stations were currently operating in the country, 21 more power stations were under construction and further 20 more power stations were planned, for which Indian power companies would be invited.
Companies like Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and NHPC (formerly National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited) were already working in Tajikistan.
It would also like to cooperate with India in agriculture and mining, added Saidov.
In 2008, bilateral trade between both countries was about $60 million.
Tajikistan mainly imported medicine, wheat, rice, tea, coffee, textiles and spices from India, while exports were mainly aluminium, cotton and dry fruits. Tourism would be a potential area of cooperation, since the sector was highly untapped. Around 1,000 Indians visited Tajikistan on an average, further informed Saidov. The country was also seeking cooperation with India for starting air services between both countries, added Saidov. Vladimir V Lazarev, Consul General of Russian Federation informed that bilateral trade between India and Russia was around $5.3 million and would be doubled to $10 million by 2010.
