Issues on trade development and economic cooperation of Tajikistan with the countries of Central Asia and the USA were discussed in Washington D. C.

On October 21-22, 2019 in WashingtonD. C., USA,session of the Council on Trade andInvestment FrameworkAgreement (TIFA) andmeeting with the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and American investors with participation of the delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan headed by the First Deputy Ministerof Economic Development and Trade ZavqizodaZavqi Aminwere held.

Zavqizoda Z.A. highly ranked the mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States and Central Asian countries and provided information in the framework of the goals and priorities of the country's strategic documents, in particular on Tajikistan’s participation in TIFA, accelerating export development, facilitation of trade procedures, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and cooperation with TIFA member countries.

The parties also discussed issues on improving trade and economic relations between Tajikistan and the United States, including completed work on implementation of the WTOTrade FacilitationAgreement, prevention of the country’s re-inclusion in the “Special301 Report” checklist, Tajikistan’s exclusion from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, usage of the Generalized System of Preferences GSP and increasing technical assistance from US.

On October 22, the country's delegation took part in the high-level panel “Economic Cooperation between the USA and Central Asian Countries” of the Uzbekistan and USA Annual Forum, during which the delegationprovided answers to questions from US investors about investment opportunities in Tajikistan, digital economy and ways to develop trade and investment with the USA.

It was notedthat the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan considers the improvement of economic and trade cooperation with Central Asian countries as a priority issue of the country's foreign policy, which proceeds from friendly relations and kind initiatives of the heads of states.

A meeting of the TIFA Council is held annually and within the framework of this meeting, issues of the current situation and forecasts of economic cooperation are discussed, including trade facilitation, regional trade development, the “Special 301Report” checklist, intellectual property rights, standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and digital commerce.