Baku, Azerbaijan, April 17
By Fikret Dolukhanov – Trend:
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are planning to sign an agreement on strategic partnership, Uzbek media reported on April 17.
“The improving relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are a great hope and a good positive trend. People have been waiting for this for a very long time,” Tajik political expert Khursand Khurramov told the local media outlets.
According to him, Uzbekistan is investing, and intends to invest more money in the economy of Tajikistan, and Tajikistan on its part can guarantee the reliability of the investments.
The expert noted that Tajikistan cannot invest in the economy of Uzbekistan though, because the former lacks sufficient financial resources.
The positive effect of the improving relations between the two countries is already noticeable. Earlier, after the opening of the border with Uzbekistan, prices in the fruit and vegetable market of Tajikistan have decreased significantly.
Uzbek traders began to explore the Tajik market, and residents of Tajikistan currently see a noticeable difference in prices, as a result.
Carrots and onions, for example, can be bought for 1 somoni per kilogram; potatoes cost about 3.50 somoni. Fresh strawberries, which cost more than meat last week, are being sold for 15 somoni.
(8.8588 somoni = 1 USD on April 17)
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov