On August 27, 2026, in the city of Guliston, Sughd Region, the International Investment Forum under the title "Digitalization of Free Economic Zones in the Context of Eurasian Countries" was organized on the initiative of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, in cooperation with the executive bodies of state authority of Sughd Region and UNIDO. The forum was aimed at creating an international dialogue platform to discuss the role of digital technologies in enhancing the efficiency of FEZs, their integration into global value chains, and the formation of a sustainable investment environment.
The event opened with a welcoming speech by the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on economic affairs, Hikmatullozoda Nematullo Hikmatullo, and was attended by representatives of government bodies, free economic zones of Tajikistan and foreign countries, international and financial organizations, domestic and foreign investors, manufacturing, trading and logistics companies, as well as developers of digital platforms. The Minister of economic development and trade, Abdurahmonzoda Abdurahmon Safarali, delivered a speech during the forum.
In his speech, it was emphasized that the policy of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of free economic zones is aimed at attracting quality investments, introducing modern technologies, developing high-value-added production, creating new jobs, expanding exports, and strengthening regional economic ties.
In this regard, a number of significant reforms have been implemented in the area of legislative improvement to facilitate the transition of free economic zones to a new management model with the involvement of a service company for infrastructure development, reduction of annual land use fees, expansion of non-cash payments, transition to a comprehensive system and extension of the FEZ operation period, introduction of an online product catalog, and adoption of the Procedure for implementing the "Single Window" principle for providing electronic services. These measures contribute to reducing time and administrative costs, increasing transparency, and improving the investment climate.
At the same time, the contribution of free economic zones to attracting investment, industrial development, employment, and the country's exports was highlighted. It was noted that as of July 1, 2026, 123 domestic and foreign companies had been registered in the country's five FEZs. Since the beginning of their operations, 2,196 jobs have been created, nearly 2.7 billion somoni in investments have been attracted, and over 4 billion somoni worth of industrial products have been manufactured. The range of manufactured products has expanded from 18 types in 2015 to over 100 types in 2025, with products being exported to markets in Central Asian countries, Germany, Iraq, Turkey, the Russian Federation, and other nations.
Within the framework of the Forum, a ceremony was held for signing cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other partnership documents. A total of 12 cooperation documents were signed for an amount exceeding 966 million somoni. Additionally, the best manufacturers and active exporters of the republic's free economic zones were recognized, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs and investors.
