Discusses key economic indicators and trade statistics, which countries are dominant in the market, the U.S. market share, the political situation if relevant, the top reasons why U.S. companies should consider exporting to this country, and other issues that affect trade, e.g., terrorism, currency devaluations, trade agreements.
Last Published: 2/15/2019
Tajikistan’s small economy provides risky opportunities for exporters and investors.  At the same time, Tajikistan, with a population of 9 million and number of potentially sizeable energy infrastructure, mining, and tourism projects, and regional access to Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, has the potential to become a notable transit hub and market for U.S. exporters.
 
Tajikistan’s GDP per capita in 2017 stands at USD 818.  Tajikistan’s economy is heavily dependent on remittances sent by labor migrants working in Russia.  According to data from the Central Bank of Russia and various estimates, remittances sent from Russia are equivalent to 30 per cent of Tajikistan’s GDP.  Tajikistan’s economy is still facing major economic issues left from the 1992-1997 Civil War, despite official GDP growth of 7.1 per cent in 2017.
 
The U.S. exports to Tajikistan in 2017 totaled USD 17.9 million, down from USD 21.3  million in 2016.  The U.S. exports a number of items to Tajikistan, including U.S. Government sponsored aid.  Major U.S. exports in 2016-2017 included  meat, poultry, other foods, nuclear fuel materials, iron and steel products, chemicals,  finished textiles supplies, mineral supplies manufactured, other industrial supplies, electric apparatuses, drilling and oil field equipment, specialized mining equipment, excavating machinery, measuring testing instruments, laboratory testing instruments, medicinal equipment, civilian aircrafts, engines and parts, apparel household goods and textile, toiletries and cosmetics, automotive parts and tires, military apparel and footwear, telecommunications equipment and computers.
 
Tajikistan’s leading export partners are Kazakhstan (27.1%), Turkey (19.5%), Luxembourg (10.4%), Afghanistan (8.32%) and Switzerland (7.46%).  Tajikistan’s leading import partners are Russia (32.6%), China (20%), Kazakhstan (18.5%), Germany (3.83%), and Turkey (3.79%).  Tajikistan recognizes the United States as a provider of high quality equipment, and is interested in obtaining U.S. components for major infrastructure projects.  U.S. EXIM Bank, IFC, EBRD, MIGA funds, OPIC funds could provide financial back up for such projects.  Tajikistan’s growing links to trading partners in Southern Asia could drive significant economic growth, driving up demand.  Tajikistan’s economy is heavily dependent on imports, and most U.S. manufacturers would not face competition from local producers, but would face strong competition from China, and to a lesser extent CIS countries. 
 
Tajikistan has significant hydro energy generation potential, and could experience significant demand growth once that potential is developed. Tajikistan’s geographical location could enable it to become a regional transit hub, once its airports are expanded to accommodate bulk air freight and passenger transfer.
 
According to the Secretariat on Investment Council under the President of Tajikistan (www.investmentcouncil.tj)  there are 73 tax and investment incentives which could be applied to selected business projects.
 
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.


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Tajikistan Trade Development and Promotion