ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Tajikistan reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic partnership and expanding economic ties during talks between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Astana on Nov. 7, reported Akorda.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during their Nov. 7 meeting in Astana. Photo credit: Akorda
Welcoming the Tajik leader, Tokayev described his visit as a sign of the special respect and friendship between the two countries, emphasizing their close historical and cultural ties.
“The Kazakh people hold the Tajik people, an ancient nation with a rich history, distinctive culture and great spiritual heritage, in sincere respect and special affection. Under your wise, forward-looking leadership, Tajikistan is making impressive progress in many areas while steadily implementing large-scale reforms. The results are reflected in sustained economic growth and improved public welfare,” he said.
Tokayev highlighted growing trade ties, with annual bilateral trade consistently exceeding $1 billion. Kazakhstan remains one of Tajikistan’s three largest trading partners.
Tokayev said the two governments were working to implement existing agreements, expand the range of traded goods and increase freight transportation between the countries. He also noted growing business contacts and the implementation of agreements reached at business forums and trade missions.
He added that the two countries had agreed on additional measures to expand mutual trade and adopted a road map to increase trade turnover through 2030.
Rahmon, in turn, noted that cooperation between the two countries was developing dynamically across all key areas.
“Bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion in the first nine months of this year, up nearly 26% compared with the same period in 2025,” he said.
He added that the two countries had agreed to take additional measures to increase annual trade turnover to $2 billion.
“Investment cooperation is also expanding. More than 130 enterprises with Kazakh capital operate in Tajikistan, while Kazakhstan hosts more than 580 companies with Tajik participation, including 500 wholly owned by Tajik investors,” Rahmon said.
The two leaders also discussed cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including exchanges in education, science and youth policy.
Tokayev highlighted reciprocal Days of Culture and the unveiling of monuments honoring prominent historical figures, including a bust of Abai in Dushanbe and a monument to Ibn Sina in Astana.
The opening of the new Tajikistan Embassy complex in Astana was another highlight of Rahmon’s visit.
“This is more than a single building. It is an entire complex. It is impressive and demonstrates that Tajikistan will have a permanent and prominent presence in our country. This is a worthy reflection of our brotherly relations,” Tokayev said.
During the visit, Tokayev presented Rahmon with the newly established Order of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, recognizing his contributions to education, science, culture and international relations.
Tokayev noted that the award carried particular significance as Khoja Ahmed Yasawi’s legacy belongs not only to Kazakhstan but to the broader civilization and the peoples of Central Asia, which share centuries-old spiritual traditions.
“Our region has given the world a whole galaxy of outstanding thinkers, scientists, poets and educators, whose legacy has gone far beyond the borders of individual countries and peoples. One of the most prominent figures of the Islamic Renaissance was Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. His name holds special significance for the Kazakh people and occupies a sacred place in our historical memory,” Tokayev said.
