Dubai encourages food exports from Tajikistan

Representatives from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry were in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe last week for a conference aimed at increasing food exports from Tajikistan to the Emirati city.

Dubai is keen to bring in high-quality agricultural produce from Tajikistan, and much of the meeting focused on the most important aspects of doing business in Dubai, including food packaging and certification guidelines for hopeful Tajik food exporters.

Omar Khan, International Offices director for the Dubai Chamber, said the agricultural partnership would see large benefits for both sides.

“[The] Dubai Chamber attaches great importance to the issue of food security and is well aware of the … market’s huge potential in meeting the food requirements of the Emirate and the region due to the abundance of high-quality agricultural produce in these marketplaces,” Khan said.

Tajik food producers were invited to attend Gulfood, the premier food product showcase in the United Arab Emirates, in an attempt to form new business relationships between the two nations.

The move is part of the United Arab Emirate's strategy of exploring emerging economies and markets to expand the country’s international reach.

Dubai Chamber leaders said Tajikistan’s markets present a great opportunity to reach that goal considering the significant agribusiness potential coupled with its large crops of organic fruits and vegetables, long-standing agricultural traditions, and climate that supports year-round farming.

The Dubai Chamber hopes Emirati investors will put capital into Tajikistan’s agriculture and food industry to bolster transport, logistics and warehousing there.