Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 30 May this year, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov arrived in Dushanbe to attend a regular meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on trade and economic cooperation.

At the Dushanbe International Airport, the high-ranking guest was met by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan and other officials, Khovar reports.

Within the framework of the meeting, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov.

The sides discussed the situation and prospects for intergovernmental cooperation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in areas of interest to the parties, and issues on the agenda of the next meeting of the commission.

Then, under the chairmanship of Kokhir Rasulzoda and Abdulla Aripov, with the participation of delegations from the two sides, the ninth meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan on trade and economic cooperation was held. 

After considering the issue of the implementation of the decisions of the eighth meeting of the Commission, during the ninth meeting, issues of further development of intergovernmental cooperation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the areas of economy, trade, industry, investment and banking, transport, energy, agriculture, customs, education and science, culture, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, tourism, youth and sports, migration and employment, ecology and environmental protection.

The delegations also exchanged views on the most important issues of regional cooperation.

As was emphasized, based on the constant attention and support of the heads of state, respected Emomali Rahmon and respected Shavkat Mirziyoyev, interstate relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have received steady development in all areas, and the results are significant in all areas of cooperation.

In 2021, the trade turnover between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan amounted to US$447.8 million, which is 34.2 percent more than in 2020. This figure was the highest in recent years and 37 times more than in 2015.

At the meeting, the parties showed interest in further increasing the indicators of trade between the two states and developing relations in all areas of interest.

At the end of the meeting, the final act was signed.

It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Commission in 2023 in Tashkent.

At the ninth meeting, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan got acquainted with the activities of the Siyoma enterprise for the production of soft drinks and alcoholic products.

It was noted that the enterprise produces about 20 types of non-carbonated and carbonated water, as well as alcoholic beverages.

The production of delicious cola juices, "Siyoma orange" and "Siyoma pear" is carried out in plastic containers, and their appearance and quality meet the requirements of international standards.

The delegation got acquainted with the working conditions, new production lines and packaging of soft drinks, and also expressed interest in further trade cooperation.

In addition, the delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the Tennis Palace and the Water Sports Complex in Dushanbe.

It should be noted that the Tennis Palace and the Water Sports Complex is the largest sports facility in the Republic of Tajikistan, built according to a modern project. 

The sports complex was built with the direct support of the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and has two swimming pools - semi-indoor and indoor. Along with this, it consists of a universal tennis hall, which is designed to host national, regional and international tournaments.

During their acquaintance with the Tennis Palace and the Water Sports Complex, the guests noted the priority and usefulness of a new stage in the development of cooperation in the field of sports