Tajikistan refines just 3% of aluminium it produces, and 10% of its cotton fibber

Dushanbe. April 23. Silkroadnews – Tajikistan refines just 3% of aluminium and up to 10% of cotton fibber it produces. The rest is exported unrefined, as Tajik President said in his annual speech to the Parliament.
He connects it to the global decline in demand for Tajikistan’s primary exports – cotton, aluminium, and agricultural produce.
The President encouraged to introduce measures for development of light industries, especially cotton fibber refining. He also called abolition of cotton fibber sales tax and introduction of export tariff on silk cocoon.
He hopes it will encourage businesses to refine cotton and silk within the country and will improve domestic market.
President Rahmon asked the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies to reconsider issues of natural resources refining, gemstones grinding and non-ferrous metal processing to strengthen export potential of the country. This could lead to greater budget inflows, as this would increase export margins and create new employment domestically.