Day: May 17, 2023

The Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, met in Beijing with the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Mr. Jin Liqun.

During the meeting, issues of development of cooperation between Tajikistan and this international financial organization were discussed.

President Emomali Rahmon called the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank a reliable partner of Tajikistan and expressed confidence that the results of today’s meeting would give a new impetus to the process of expansion of our cooperation.

The parties exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in the direction of further financing of the development of «green infrastructure» in the fields of transport, energy, housing and communal services, and municipality.

It was considered necessary to enhance relations, attract more capital to priority projects for the development of infrastructure, industry, private sector, increase economic activity and business support.

In particular, during the meeting, the President of the Asian Bank for Infrastructure Investments, Jin Liqun, announced the allocation of preferential funds in the amount of 500 million US dollars for the implementation of the Rogun hydropower plant construction project.

Also, the parties named the issues of financing projects of final processing of agricultural products and minerals among other sectors of cooperation, at the same time emphasizing that Tajikistan has all the possibilities and resources for their implementation.

During the meeting, a useful discussion was also held on the global situation with climate change, lack of drinking water, the impact of these factors on the economy of countries, and Tajikistan’s global initiatives on water and climate and protection of glaciers.

Source: National information agency of Tajikistan

An article by political scientist Umedjon Ibrohimzoda, posted on CABAR.asia's website, says Tajikistan, as a country with little economic growth, remains dependent on foreign direct investment, humanitarian aid and grants from international organizations and partner countries. An analysis of data for 2010-2021 on foreign direct investment received by partner countries showed that the thesis that the country is attractive for foreign investment is not justified. The investment climate, administrative barriers, underdeveloped investment infrastructure and inadequate tax incentives are more of an issue here than the overall potential of the country. According to data from the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, the total inflow between 2007-2021, foreign investments totaled about US$11 billion, of which US$4.8 billion were direct investments, US$5.7 billion were other types of investments, and US$500 million were portfolio investments. Over the past fifteen years, investments have come in Tajikistan's economy from 65 countries, among which China, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Kazakhstan have a comparatively high share. Since 2010, China has been the largest investor in Tajikistan's economy. China's total share of investment in its neighbor's economy is almost US$2.7 billion, making it the most important investor in Tajikistan over the past eleven years. China builds roads and participates in joint projects and large industrial projects. Chinese investments have been channeled into communications, construction, financial services, mining and the installation of technological equipment. A significant increase in Chinese investment was seen in 2016 and a sharp fall occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, investment inflows are in the process of recovery. One of the interesting features of Chinese investors is that they prefer direct investment in the Tajik economy, i.e. setting up their own companies or acquiring shares in existing enterprises in the country. Another form of Chinese investment in Tajikistan's economy is concessional lending. These loans are granted at an annual interest rate of 2.0 to 3.0 per cent for a period of more than 20 years. But most commonly, the condition for obtaining them is that the projects must be implemented by Chinese companies. Russia is second behind China with a share of US$1.2 billion. Next on the list is the UK with US$671 million. Russia has been one of Tajikistan's key economic partners for many years, directing direct investments in various sectors of Tajikistan's economy. Russian investments are mainly directed to construction, communications, geological exploration, health care, the construction industry and the energy sector. Russia is implementing various projects in Tajikistan, mainly in the fields of energy and education. Russia's investment activities were reportedly intense in Tajikistan in the early 2000s, when major projects were being implemented, and it is notable that it was the leading investor in Tajikistan's economy until 2014, but since 2015 China has caught up and surpassed it by a great margin. The UK is also one of Tajikistan's main investors. Significant growth of British investment was in 2015 and 2017, but since the year 2017, there has been a decline in investment from the UK. The Tajik authorities hope that the first Tajik-UK investment forum, held in London on March 28-29, 2023, will give a new impetus to joint projects between the two countries. During the forum, 23 new documents were signed between the two countries, totaling more than US$370 million. According to data from Tajikistan's Agency for Statistics Agency, UK investment, among other areas, is going towards construction, mining and geological studies, as well as coal mining and manufacturing industry. Next is Kazakhstan, which reportedly invested heavily in Tajikistan's economy from 2012 to 2015, but has sharply reduced its infusions since 2016. Kazakhstan's investments are directed towards the manufacturing industry, geological and mining research, financial services and trade. The article notes that these three countries [Russia, UK and Kazakhstan] have reduced investment since the second half of the 2010s when investment in Tajikistan's private sector was hampered for a number of reasons. Overall, the reason for the decline in investment, is reportedly the lack of compliance with a number of conditions by Tajikistan. These conditions include the development of democratic institutions, the rule of law, the creation of a pluralistic society and freedom of expression. There are also other reasons that prevent Tajikistan from attracting foreign investment into its economy. For instance, the unfavorable investment climate, administrative barriers, and underdeveloped investment infrastructure, Inadequate tax system and tax incentives, monopolization of market segments, corruption and unhealthy competition, the article says.

Source: Asia Plus

On May 17, the delegation of the Croatian-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendship group led by the Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Davorko Vidovic, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the special session of the Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis) dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, got acquainted with the traces of Armenian vandalism in Agdam, as well as the carried out restoration and construction works there, the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis told APA.

In Agdam, the guests first visited the Headquarters of the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories of the Karabakh Economic Region.

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During the visit, information was given about the buildings subjected to Armenian brutality. It was stated that Armenian vandalism did not bypass not only residential areas, but also historical monuments of Azerbaijan.

The members of the delegation were given detailed information about the construction works carried out within the framework of the Agdam City Master Plan. It was stated with certainty that Agdam, known as the "Hiroshima of the Caucasus", will become one of the most beautiful cities of the region at the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, and the safe return of people who have been separated from their homeland for 30 years will be ensured.

The participants of the trip got acquainted with the ruins of the city of Agdam, which was razed to the ground as a result of Armenian brutality, and looked at the intact wall of the Drama Theater.

During the visit to Agdam Juma Mosque it was emphasized that, like other historical monuments, this mosque, which is a relic of 1868, was looted and burned by the Armenian armed forces during the occupation. The historical monument was not completely destroyed because the Armenian invaders used the mosque's minarets for observation purposes. Nevertheless, Armenian vandals, used the prayer hall of this mosque to keep animals like all our holy places.

Then the guests were informed about the work done in Agdam Industrial Park. It was reported that about a thousand jobs will be created in the Industrial Park established by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated May 28, 2021. By stimulating the development of local production, the enterprises created here will make an important contribution to the involvement of the region's resources in the economic cycle, the revival of Karabakh and the development of the non-oil industry in our country as a whole.

Within the framework of the visit, the delegation was accompanied by the head of the working group of Croatian-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary relations MP Konul Nurullayeva.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have viewed the 16th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition "Caspian Agro" and the 28th Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition "InterFood Azerbaijan" at the Baku Expo Center, APA reports.

Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov informed the head of state and the First Lady about the exhibitions.

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This year, the exhibitions gathered 479 companies from 31 countries, with 9 countries represented by their national stands.

Apart from the host country Azerbaijan, the exhibition features stands of Germany, Italy, the US, the Netherlands, Georgia, Belarus, Sri-Lanka, regional groups of Russia, and for the first time Tunisia and Czechia.

The head of state and the First Lady familiarized themselves with the stands of such companies as "Grow Group Azerbaijan", "Maschio Gaspardo", "New Holland", "Rostselmash", "MySilo", "Rauch Landmashchinen", "SwissGrow", "AfiMilk", "Gowan", "Can-Pa" companies, as well as the national stands of the Czech Republic, Italy, Belarus, Georgia, the U.S. and the Netherlands.

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady also viewed the pavilion of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture, which also featured a special presentation dedicated to National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

The head of state and the First Lady also got acquainted with the equipment of "Azertekhnika" LLC, "Agritex" LLC, "AgroMotors" companies and the Ganja Automobile Plant.

The Agrarian Innovation Forum will be held as part of three-day exhibition.

"InterFood Azerbaijan" exhibition will feature such expositions as "Food as a Masterpiece" (featuring decorative compositions made from food) and the 3rd National Culinary Championship "The Golden Leader, a Golden Jubilee" dedicated to the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have viewed the 16th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition "Caspian Agro" and the 28th Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition "InterFood Azerbaijan" at the Baku Expo Center, APA reports.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency

Prince Harry, Meghan and her mother were involved in a "near catastrophic car chase" involving paparazzi, a spokesperson for the couple has claimed, APA reports citing BBC.

The incident happened after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended an awards ceremony in New York on Tuesday.

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In a statement, their spokesperson said the "relentless pursuit" lasted for over two hours.

They added it resulted in near collisions.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify the details.

In a statement, the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed an incident took place and said that numerous photographers "made their [Harry and Meghan's] transport challenging".

No injuries or arrests were reported. Buckingham Palace has not yet commented.

There are claims the chase involved half a dozen cars, with reckless driving including going through red lights, driving on the pavement, carrying out blocking moves, and reversing down a one way-way street - as well as taking photographs while driving.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency

At least eight people have died and 12,000 were forced to flee their homes on Tuesday and Wednesday after torrential rainfall caused flash floods in and around Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, APA reports citing Xinhua.

Stefano Bonaccini, president of the region, said he feared the death toll would rise as reports of missing persons were pouring in amid rescue efforts aimed at removing residents stuck on the high floors of buildings or isolated on rooftops.

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According to local media reports, the region was hit by more than 50 cm of rain in 48 hours -- around half its normal total for a full year.

Bonaccini said the rainfall and flooding were "a catastrophic event that had never been seen before." Nello Musumeci, Italy's minister for civil protection and marine policies, vowed to rush aid workers and equipment to the beleaguered region.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a statement, making emergency funds available immediately and expressing her thanks to rescue workers "who risk their own lives to save those of others."

Meloni said on Wednesday that she would convene a special cabinet meeting to approve additional emergency measures for the region.

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Formula One car race scheduled for Sunday has been canceled amid safety concerns and to free up resources for rescue efforts.

Italy has suffered under the impact of severe weather waves for a year and a half, with a dry period during the winter of 2021-2022 causing a record-setting drought and high temperatures last summer resulting in dozens of deaths and slashing agricultural production by as much as a third.

Water levels in many parts of the nation's network of rivers dropped to all-time lows and a lack of snowfall last winter gave rise to concerns that the coming summer could be another difficult one for Italian farmers and travelers in the country.

Recent weeks, however, have seen intense rainfall across much of the country, overwhelming infrastructure and sending rivers through their banks, causing school and business closures and rerouting transportation networks.

News reports in Italy this week have been filled with images of submerged buildings and vehicles, and helicopters rescuing residents stranded on rooftops. But the sudden rash of deaths was unexpected.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency

The President of Kyrgyzstan has left for China. Presidential press service reported.

Bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping are planned during the visit, which will last from May 18 to May 20. The leaders of the two countries will discuss expansion of cooperation.

Sadyr Japarov is scheduled to meet with Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang, Chairman of the National Committee of the People’s Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning and other officials and business circles of the PRC.

Official delegation of Kyrgyzstan includes:

President’s wife Aigul Japarova;

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeenbek Kulubaev;

Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Executive Office Muratbek Azymbakiev;

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kyrgyzstan to China Aktilek Musaeva;

Head of the Department for Preparation of Decisions of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Presidential Executive Office Aibek Dzhunushaliev;

Head of the Department for Controlling the Execution of Decisions of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Presidential Executive Office Azamat Osmonov;

Minister of Agriculture Askarbek Dzhanybekov;

Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy Altynbek Maksutov;

Minister of Digital Development Talantbek Imanov;

Minister of Transport and Communications Tilek Tekebaev;

Minister of Economy and Commerce Daniyar Amangeldiev;

Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev;

Director of the National Investment Agency Umbriel Temiraliev;

Chairman of the State Customs Service Samat Isabekov;

Mayor of Bishkek Emilbek Abdykadyrov;

Mayor of Osh Bakytbek Zhetigenov.

Source: 24.kg News Agency