DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, October 30. Tajikistan's geological potential could play a key role in the development of the country's economy and social welfare, Sherali Kabir, the Minister of Industry and New Technologies, said in an interview with local media, Trend reports.
"The country's geological potential can significantly impact economic growth and social security. Innovative development and the introduction of new technologies in the mining and processing sectors are priority tasks for our government," the minister stated.
He emphasized that the mining and metallurgy sector is one of the promising industries, contributing significantly to the gross domestic product and providing employment for a large portion of the workforce, including in remote regions of the country.
Kabir also pointed out that Tajikistan has established over 70 investment incentives through legislative and regulatory measures to create a favorable investment environment and attract investments, encouraging potential investors to participate in various government projects, including in the mining sector.
With the rapid advancement of digital technologies and the shift toward a "green" economy, the demand for rare metals and minerals is increasing, he noted.
"Central Asia holds about 38.6 percent of the world's manganese reserves (with Tajikistan accounting for approximately 270 million tons), 20 percent of lead, and 5.8 percent of aluminum. The natural resources and vast opportunities for mineral extraction in Tajikistan provide a solid material base, sufficient to support the industry's development on a global scale for centuries," the minister said.
Kabir emphasized that Tajikistan extracts over 50 types of mineral raw materials from developed deposits, including those for the production of gold, silver, lead, antimony, mercury, lithium, nickel, tungsten, rare and dispersed elements, gemstones, marble, and more.
On October 29, the first International Investment Forum and Exhibition for Tajikistan's mining and metallurgical industry commenced in Dushanbe and will continue until October 30. The forum is expected to lead to the signing of partnership memoranda for cooperation and project implementation, aimed at attracting direct investments into Tajikistan's mining sector.
As per the country’s Statistical Agency, Tajikistan's total industrial production volume from January through September 2024 reached 36.3 billion somoni ($3.4 billion), up 15 percent from the first nine months of 2023.