TEHRAN – The energy ministers of Iran and Tajikistan, as the chairs of the two countries’ Joint Economic Committee, met in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in various areas, the portal of Iranian Energy Ministry Paven reported.

Addressing the press after the meeting with Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma, Iranian Energy Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian referred to the emphasis of the presidents of both countries on the development of relations, especially in the economic field.

"Reviewing the statistics of Iran's exports to Tajikistan in the current [Iranian calendar] year (ends on March 20) indicates that we are witnessing an acceptable growth in this field," Mehrabian said.

He noted that there are many areas for cooperation between the two countries, saying: “The presence of Iranian companies in some projects in Tajikistan and participation in the construction of hydropower plants is an example of such cooperation.”

Referring to the positive cooperation between the two countries in various fields including the transit of goods, Mehrabian expressed hope that with the potential and capacity that exists in the two countries, the two sides will be able to enhance such cooperation.

Juma for his part, mentioned his country’s abundant water resources and noted: "Tajikistan has good water reserves which can be used for electricity generation; this can create opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.”

He further referred to a joint hydropower plant project which is being implemented by the two countries, saying: “This is the fourth and largest project in Tajikistan currently underway. The Republic of Tajikistan is very pleased to carry out the largest hydropower plant project with a production capacity of 3,700 megawatts (MW) with engineers from Iranian companies.”

The official expressed his country’s willingness for benefiting from Iran’s technical and engineering services in the coming years.

“We plan to build more than 700 MW of power plants using various sources such as solar and wind power in the near future,” he added.

EF/MA

Photo: Energy Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian (R) and Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma speak to the press in Tehran on Wednesday