I welcoming remarks

participate in the work of various regional and trans-regional
international organizations. Tajikistan, as an equal participant in
the international community, is member of such organizations as
the CIS, SCO, OSCE, OIC, ECO, CSTO, IFAS, etc., which
indicates a high degree of its integration into regional and
international institutions.
Tajikistan also pays special attention to the development
of bilateral relations with the countries of Central Asia.

---

39
Analyzing the achieved results in this direction, we can say that
in the absence of regional consensus and mutual understanding, it
is bilateral relations that remain the most optimal format for the
development of interstate relations in Central Asia.
When studying the issues of regional cooperation and
integration, an important issue is the recognition and real
appreciation of the role and contribution of each republic or the
potential capacities of each participant in regional institutions for
the development of the regional economy. As the analysis of
bilateral and multilateral relations in the region shows, the
Republic of Tajikistan in turn makes a significant contribution to
the development of the national economy of the countries of
Central Asia.
According to official data of the State Statistics Agency,
Tajikistan not only imports products, but also exports primary
aluminum, cotton fiber and goods, concentrates of intermediate
mining products, electricity (in summer), mineral nitrogen
fertilizers (carbamide), construction materials to the countries of
the region (cement, marble and granite slabs, decorative products
for construction, rubble stone), transformers, vegetable products
(tobacco leaf, dried vegetables, root-crops), wine materials, fruit
juice, fresh fruit and vegetables, industrial goods, and so forth.
In addition, Tajikistan is rich in hydropower reserves, the
rational use of which in the interests of the region can solve the
issue of affordable and environmentally safe energy for the entire
region and its adjacent geographic basins, such as Afghanistan
and South Asia. Thus, according to expert estimates, Tajikistan
owns about 60% of all hydroelectric resources in Central Asia, of
which only about 7% are realized today. Thus, Tajikistan will be
able not only to fully provide itself with electricity, but also
become a major supplier of cheap electricity to the countries of
Central and also South Asia. Realization of this potential within
the framework of the CASA - 1000 project will undoubtedly have
a great impact on the advancement of Central Asian economies.

---

40
The transport and transit potential of Tajikistan can play
special role in the economic development of the region. Having
modern road infrastructure, modern roads and tunnels, Tajikistan
can become a connecting node in the development of trade and
economic relations between Central and South Asia, Central Asia
and China, as well as provide access to international ports
(Pakistan, Iran) through its territory. The realization of a number
of regional and trans-regional railway projects connecting
Tajikistan with China, South Asia and the Middle East
undoubtedly enhances the transit potential of the republic, which
in turn leads to an increase in the role of Tajikistan in the system
of regional relations.
Another potential contribution of Tajikistan to the
development of the regional economy can be its rich natural
resources such as gold, silver, uranium, coal, lead, mercury,
marble, etc. According to experts, more than 4,000 deposits were
discovered in Tajikistan, including 400 gold mines with a reserve
of more than 600 tons. Silver reserves of the republic are
estimated at more than 100 thousand tons, and high-quality coal
at more than 5 billion tons. All this suggests that Tajikistan is one
of the most resource-rich countries in the region, and the
realization of its opportunities can serve as an essential factor in
the economic development of the region.
Assessing the role of the Republic of Tajikistan in the
integration processes of the region, it is necessary to note its