Tajikistan Ambassador to Al-Jarida: We Look Forward to Turning Our Relations with Kuwait into Concrete Partnerships

- Bilateral relations between the two countries have seen steady development since the establishment of diplomatic ties on March 31, 1995, grounded in friendship, mutual respect, and a shared desire to enhance cooperation. We view Kuwait as a key partner for Tajikistan in the Gulf region, and we appreciate its role in supporting development and promoting international dialogue and cooperation.

The official visit by President Emomali Rahmon to Kuwait in November 2024 marked a significant milestone, as the talks resulted in the signing of nine cooperation documents across various fields, opening new horizons for developing the partnership between the two countries.

We welcome the opening of the Kuwaiti embassy in Dushanbe and the appointment of Kuwait’s first resident ambassador to Tajikistan, as these steps are crucial for strengthening political and institutional communication and facilitating direct cooperation. We also appreciate the contributions of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in supporting development projects in Tajikistan, particularly in the sectors of infrastructure, energy, irrigation, and education.

Since assuming my duties as Ambassador to Kuwait and presenting my credentials to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on September 8, 2026, I have made it a priority to intensify meetings with ministers, senior officials, and representatives of Kuwaiti economic institutions to follow up on the implementation of existing understandings and explore new opportunities.

We believe that the priority lies in activating bilateral cooperation mechanisms, enhancing direct communication between businessmen and investors, and identifying viable projects. Our aspiration is that economic relations reflect the distinguished level of political ties, and that the friendship between the two countries translates into commercial and investment projects that deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.

• Tajikistan possesses abundant water resources, while Kuwait has extensive expertise in water desalination and supply management. How can these shared potentials be leveraged?

We view water security as a promising area for cooperation between the two countries. Tajikistan holds significant water resources and expertise in hydropower and reservoir management, whereas Kuwait possesses valuable experience in seawater desalination and developing supply technologies and consumption conservation techniques in arid climatic conditions. This complementarity can be utilized through the exchange of expertise and technologies, training specialized personnel, upgrading water infrastructure, improving resource use efficiency, and studying investment opportunities in priority projects. Tajikistan’s National Water Strategy up to 2040 provides a framework for developing sustainable water resource management, improving efficiency, and attracting investments.

Cooperation in this field is built on a practical foundation, as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development is financing the Raghun Hydropower Plant project, which is a strategic project for Tajikistan and the Central Asia region. We appreciate Kuwait’s contribution to developing energy infrastructure in our country.

These topics were discussed with the Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, Dr. Sabih Al-Makhzoum, last October, and we agreed on the importance of expanding communication between relevant authorities and exploring areas of practical cooperation.

Mineral and natural waters produced in Tajikistan are characterized by their diversity and the high quality of several of their products. However, the success of any project requires verifying compliance with Kuwaiti standards, studying prices, transportation and storage costs, and actual market demand.

Food security represents an important priority for our country, and we recognize its strategic importance for Kuwait. We believe that agricultural and food cooperation can serve as a practical pathway to diversify trade between the two countries.

The scope extends beyond exports; we welcome investments by Kuwaiti companies in joint agricultural projects and food industries, including orchards, greenhouses, cold storage and warehousing centers, sorting, packaging, and food processing facilities.

Last September, I discussed with Emad Al-Zaid, Deputy General Manager of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ways to strengthen ties between business communities and promote Tajik products in the Kuwaiti market. The idea of organizing a joint business forum and an exhibition of Tajik products in Kuwait was also proposed, aiming to establish direct links between companies and investors.

Hydropower is one of the fundamental pillars of Tajikistan’s energy sector, thanks to the country’s abundant water resources. We place special emphasis on developing this sector and upgrading its infrastructure, alongside enhancing energy efficiency and expanding the use of renewable energy sources.

We see opportunities for complementing Tajik and Kuwaiti expertise in this field; Tajikistan possesses vast potential for electricity generation from water, while Kuwait holds significant experience in modern energy projects, including solar energy.

During our meeting last October, I discussed with Dr. Sabah Al-Mukhaima, Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, opportunities to develop cooperation in hydropower and renewable energy, as well as infrastructure modernization.

We welcome the participation of Kuwaiti companies in studying, financing, and implementing energy projects in Tajikistan, whether through direct investment or partnerships with local institutions and companies, in accordance with economic feasibility, national priorities, and prevailing legislation.

We also consider it important to exchange technical expertise and modern technologies, and to train specialized personnel, enabling both countries to benefit from each other’s experiences in developing energy systems and improving their efficiency. This cooperation could form part of a broader partnership for sustainable development and the green economy.

• What are the main challenges hindering increased trade between the two countries? How can air connectivity and logistics services be developed?

The primary challenges lie in geographical distance, transportation costs, and the need to develop more efficient logistics channels that enable products to reach markets promptly at competitive prices, particularly agricultural and food products that require special care in transport and storage.

The launch of direct flights between Kuwait and Dushanbe by Jazeera Airways on December 29, 2022, represented an important step toward enhancing connectivity, facilitating the movement of travelers and businessmen, and supporting tourism and trade.

On August 24, 2026, I discussed with the company’s CEO, Bharathan Basupathy, prospects for developing cooperation in the aviation sector and the role of direct links in strengthening bilateral relations.

We believe that increasing the number of flights or expanding their year-round operations, subject to demand considerations, operational and commercial viability, and regional conditions, would create better conditions for tourism, business, and investment.

We are working to enhance direct communication between exporters, importers, and economic institutions in both countries. We believe that improving logistics services, providing trade information, and facilitating communication between companies will open wider opportunities for expanding trade exchanges.

• What are the main sectors that could attract Kuwaiti investments to Tajikistan? What guarantees and facilitations are available for investors?

- We see promising opportunities for Kuwaiti investors in agriculture, food industries, tourism, renewable energy, mining, manufacturing, transport, and infrastructure. These sectors offer diverse opportunities, ranging from production and manufacturing to services and tourism development, depending on the feasibility study for each project.

Cooperation with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development serves as an important model of developmental partnership between the two countries. Since 2001, cooperation with the Fund has contributed to supporting developmental projects in Tajikistan through loans and grants across various sectors.

In June 2026, a loan agreement worth 6 million dinars was signed to finance the development of 10 schools in several regions of Tajikistan, reflecting the direct impact of Kuwaiti cooperation in supporting human development and improving educational services.

We also look forward to continuing dialogue with the Fund regarding opportunities to finance new developmental projects. Last September, I discussed with the Acting Director General of the Fund, Rashid Al-Bader, the potential for cooperation in economic development, infrastructure, energy, and transport projects.

Regarding the private sector, we encourage Kuwaiti investors to explore available opportunities, emphasizing the importance of providing clear information on the needs and economic viability of investment projects, and linking project owners with financial institutions and investors.

Tajikistan is working to improve the investment climate and develop its legal framework, including the Investment Law and the Law on Stimulating Investment Activity, which were adopted in May 2025. Incentives, facilitations, and guarantees are discussed in accordance with existing legislation and the nature of each project.

- Tajikistan attaches great importance to strengthening its relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly Kuwait, which we consider a key partner in supporting regional stability and enhancing international cooperation.

Our foreign policy is based on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, settling disputes through peaceful means, and adherence to international law. We believe that dialogue, diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation are the most effective means of addressing common challenges.

Relations between Central Asia and the Gulf countries are gaining increasing importance, not only economically but also in the fields of security, counter-terrorism, combating extremism, transnational organized crime, and illicit drug trafficking.

Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive international cooperation, exchange of information and expertise, and strengthening the capacities of relevant institutions, while leveraging the pivotal role of the United Nations in coordinating international efforts.

Tajik-Kuwaiti cooperation in this area is exemplified by the high-level international conference on enhancing international cooperation in counter-terrorism and building effective border security mechanisms, hosted by Kuwait on November 4–5, 2024, as part of the Kuwaiti phase of the "Dushanbe Process."

The conference highlighted the importance of the partnership between the two countries in confronting shared security threats and contributed to the adoption of the "Kuwait Declaration on Border Security and Management," underscoring the necessity of enhancing international cooperation in this field.

• What are the key files the embassy is currently pushing forward, and what results do you hope to achieve next year?

- The embassy’s priorities involve building on the momentum achieved by President Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Kuwait in November 2024, and following up on the implementation of the understandings and agreements signed during that visit. The visit contributed to strengthening the institutional framework of bilateral relations through the signing of nine cooperation documents, accompanied by economic and cultural events, including the Tajik-Kuwaiti Industrial, Investment, and Economic Forum on November 4, 2024, and Tajik Cultural Days in Kuwait from November 11 to 14 of the same year.

The embassy pays special attention to files related to trade, investment, food security, water, energy, tourism, and transport. It works on following up preparations for the next session of the Joint Governmental Commission in Dushanbe, enhancing political consultations between the two foreign ministries, and encouraging the establishment of business forums and events that bring together the business communities of both countries. Furthermore, we aspire to expand cultural and tourism exchanges, including exploring the organization of Kuwaiti Cultural Days in Tajikistan, and developing cooperation between media and tourism institutions.

As for the results we aim to achieve next year, they include reflecting the distinguished level of political relations more clearly in tangible economic and investment projects, increasing direct communication between businessmen, expanding trade exchanges, and strengthening tourism and cultural cooperation.

He stated: “Tajikistan is located in the heart of Central Asia, distinguished by its towering mountains, clear lakes, rivers, and unique natural landscapes, as well as its rich cultural heritage and connection to the history of the Silk Road and ancient civilizations. It is a suitable destination for nature lovers, relaxation enthusiasts, eco-tourists, and adventurers, as well as for families seeking diverse travel experiences.”

The capital, Dushanbe, offers beautiful parks, museums, and cultural landmarks, while Lake Iskanderkul and the Fan Mountains, along with historical cities such as Khujand, Panjakent, and the Sarazm archaeological site, provide opportunities to discover the country’s natural and civilizational diversity. Khujand also appears in Arab literary memory, as verses describing the city’s beauty were mentioned in the book “Al-Buldan” by Ibn al-Faqih al-Hamadani from the 9th century AD.

He added: “One of the main advantages of travel is that Kuwaitis can visit Tajikistan and stay there for up to 30 days without a visa. Direct flights operated by Jazeera Airways between Kuwait and Dushanbe provide an important means to facilitate travel, although it is necessary to verify flight schedules and availability according to travel dates.”

He noted: “Accommodation options vary between hotels in the capital and major cities, small hotels, and guesthouses in natural areas. We advise visitors to plan in advance, especially for mountain and family trips, and to rely on experienced tourism companies.”

Assistant General Manager of the Islamic Organization for Food Security in Astana, Kazakhstan, from September 2024 to May 2026.

During the same period, he served as Non-Resident Ambassador of Tajikistan to South Africa, Ethiopia, Algeria, Morocco, and as Permanent Representative of his country to the Arab League.

Head of the Department of Asian and African Countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, from August 2013 to May 2014.

Counselor of the Permanent Mission of Tajikistan to the United Nations Organization, from October 2009 to January 2013.

First Secretary at the Embassy of Tajikistan in the People’s Republic of China, from August 2001 to January 2007.

Second Secretary in the Department of Bilateral and Multilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, from September 1995 to July 1998.

Third Secretary at the State Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, from April 1994 to September 1995.

Senior Staff Member at the International Relations Department of the Executive Committee of Dushanbe City, from November 1993 to April 1994.

In 2022, he was awarded the “30th Anniversary Medal of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia” in recognition of his valuable contributions to the conference’s progress.