BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 11. Tajikistan has begun
construction of a cement plant with an annual production capacity
of 1.2 million tons.


This was reflected in a statement published by the press service
of the Tajik president following Emomali Rahmon's working visit to
the Sughd region on July 9.


"The cement plant will have an annual production capacity of 1.2
million tons, with the technological process covering the full
production cycle from raw material grinding to finished product
packaging," the statement said.


According to the information, engineering, equipment
manufacturing, installation and commissioning will be carried out
under a contract between Tajik Metallurgical Plant CJSC and China's
SINOMA, a subsidiary of China National Building Materials
Group.


The project is expected to employ more than 1,200 local workers
during construction and create over 850 permanent jobs once the
plant becomes operational, the report noted. The facility is
expected to produce cement that meets international standards while
complying with environmental requirements.


The government said the project is intended to increase domestic
cement production, meet growing demand from the construction sector
and ensure stable supplies to the local market at affordable
prices.







Meanwhile, accelerated industrialization has been Tajikistan's
fourth national development goal since 2018, when President Emomali
Rahmon identified the expansion of manufacturing as a strategic
priority. To support this objective, the country designated
2022-2026 as the "Years of Industrial Development," focusing on
import substitution, job creation, and higher value-added
production.


The policy has led to a steady increase in industrial output and
the number of manufacturing enterprises. According to the Agency on
Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, industrial production
increased by 20% year-on-year. Over the past five years, total
industrial output has nearly doubled, while more than 2,040
industrial enterprises and 74,000 jobs have been created
nationwide. In 2024 alone, 740 new industrial enterprises were
launched, generating around 20,000 jobs.


The sector is also expected to remain among the priorities for
international development institutions. Against this backdrop, in
an exclusive interview with Trend the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) approved its new Strategic and Capital Framework
(SCF) for 2026-2030, outlining key priorities for the Bank’s
activities in Central Asia and other regions.


According to Huseyin Ozhan, EBRD Managing Director for Central
Asia and Mongolia, the framework is focused on three main areas:
accelerating the green transition, strengthening economic
governance, and developing human capital while promoting equal
opportunities.


He noted that these priorities serve as the main guidelines for
the EBRD’s operations in Central Asia. The Bank also develops
individual country strategies for each state in the region in close
cooperation with national authorities, with a focus on
strengthening private sector competitiveness, creating jobs,
improving skills, promoting inclusion, and supporting digital
transformation.