Azerbaijan, Tajikistan discussing export-oriented production in Alat Free Economic Zone

Azerbaijan and Tajikistan are considering engaging companies from both countries to manufacture export-oriented products in the Alat Free Economic Zone (FEZ) and five other free economic zones in Tajikistan, Tajikistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ilhom Abdurahmon, said in an interview with Report.

He said that the intergovernmental commission (at its meeting on May 21, 2026 – ed.) issued the corresponding order as part of efforts to expand investment cooperation between the two countries.

He noted that the parties will develop a roadmap that will define the mechanisms for implementing joint projects.

"Currently, the interaction between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan on creating joint ventures and developing industrial cooperation is developing in stages and is acquiring an increasingly applied character. In this context, on July 9, 2025, on the sidelines of the 1st International Textile Forum in the city of Dushanbe, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Textile Industry Association of Azerbaijan and the Cotton and Textile Association of Tajikistan, providing for joint activities in developing the textile industry, including sustainable agriculture, sericulture, and trade. This confirms that cooperation in the textile industry has already reached a practical level and has a solid institutional foundation for further development.

As for textiles, cotton processing, and aluminum, there are already concrete results and clear prospects here. The Intergovernmental Commission welcomed the development of cooperation in the field of cotton products, including the conclusion of contracts between Azerpambig LLC and a number of Tajik companies for the supply of technical cotton raw materials. In addition, negotiations continue on studying joint investment opportunities between TALCO OJSC and Azeraluminium LLC. This creates a basis for deeper industrial cooperation and the implementation of projects with high added value.

Speaking about timelines, at this stage the parties are focused primarily on the practical preparation of projects, the coordination of mechanisms for business participation, and the formation of a sustainable basis for future decisions," he added.

Full interview available here