Tajikistan is preparing to export sizeable quantity of electricity to Pakistan:Ambassador Sher Ali Jononov

Lahore: Ambassador of Tajikistan Sher Ali Jononov on Friday said his country is preparing to export sizeable quantity of electricity to Pakistan to lessen the intensity of energy crisis which has compromised economic growth.

He said that his country wants to enhance bilateral trade with Pakistan and invited business community to visit his country to explore investment opportunities and organise trade exhibitions.

Sher Ali Jononov said this in a meeting with Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President of Pakistan Economy Watch.

The Ambassador said that Pakistanis are hardworking and highly gifted people and future of this brotherly country is very bright.

The energy sector of Tajikistan had been showing sustainable growth for the last 15 years transforming his country into world’s third largest producer of hydroelectric power after the US and Russia, he added.

Hydroelectric generation accounts for 76 percent of the total energy output in of the country and that the total estimated cost of the project which will lighten Pakistan through Tajik electricity has been estimated at $1.160 billion which will be financed by World Bank, ADB, Islamic Development Bank and other donors.

Sher Ali Jononov said that this project will not only alleviate electricity shortages in Pakistan but will also replace fuel-based electricity generation for Afghanistan and Pakistan. It will also establish Afghanistan as a viable transit country and offer transmission capacity for other countries during the off-peak season.

He said that it will also create a viable governance mechanism to build confidence among neighbours as major share of the export will be used by Pakistan, and approximately 300 MW will be utilised by Afghanistan.

He said that Pakistan’s economic indicators are improving and expressed keen interest in importing sports and surgical goods from Pakistan.

At the occasion, Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that Pakistan is gateway to Central Asia for trade and commerce and the Central Asian states could be a very strong market for Pakistan with immense opportunities.

The KASA 1000 project is the major electricity transfer projects which will transfer 1,300 megawatts to Afghanistan and Pakistan and any change of plans may delay the project, he said.

He stressed frequent exchange of trade delegations, joint ventures and strong business-to-business links to explore the mutual trade potential between the two countries.

Both countries can cooperate in field of explorations, extraction and processing of gas and oil products, said Dr. Mughal.