Thursday, April 26, 2012 -
The new British ambassador to Dushanbe expressed on Thursday a desire to increase the amount of UK investment in the struggling former Soviet country.
UK Ambassador Robin Ord-Smith presented his credentials to Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Thursday, the Avesta.tj news agency reported.
One of the ambassador’s main goals is “to attract more UK investment to Tajikistan,” Ord-Smith emphasized.
The ambassador also praised the Tajik state for aiding NATO and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) in their Afghan military campaign, by supporting the counter-terror policies and peacebuilding activities of ISAF forces.
Ord-Smith also lauded Tajikistan’s involvement in rebuilding Afghanistan’s economy.
Tajikistan has difficulty attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) because of its under-developed market economy (it has yet to transition fully from state control), as well as a continuing guerilla effort by opposition militants unhappy with the long-term rule of Rahmon.
Also presenting a challenge for foreign investors is the lack of regulation to protect their investments and difficulty transporting goods into and out of Tajikistan, as this is often impeded by Uzbekistan which shuts down rail access periodically.
Ord-Smith officially took up the position on March 12.