Rustam Emomali will return from China with 400 million dollars

During the official visit of the Chairman of the Majlisi Milli of the Majlisi Oli (upper house of parliament), the Mayor of Dushanbe, and the son of President Rustam Emomali to China, agreements worth a total of 400 million dollars were signed between several trade and manufacturing companies from both countries.

According to official media, as part of this visit, an agreement was signed between OJSC “Azot” and the Chinese company “Rundzhong Holding Group” for 50 million dollars for the modernization of the production process of urea at “Azot”, as well as an agreement with LLC “Asia Chemical” for 300 million dollars for the construction of a new urea production facility in Tajikistan.

Previously, one of the major shareholders of OJSC “Azot” was businessman and political prisoner Zaid Saidov. Currently, the plant is controlled by LLC “Asia Chemical”, which belongs to relatives of President Rahmon.

A memorandum was also signed between LLC “Avesto Group” and the Chinese company “Jinchuan” for the establishment of a joint venture for the production of electric vehicles in Tajikistan with a production capacity of 1,500 vehicles per year for 25 million dollars.

The company “Avesto Group” was established in 2016 and is owned by Rustam Emomali. The company is managed by close friends of Rustam. Like other companies owned by members of Rahmon’s family, “Avesto Group” has monopolized several sectors of large business. In particular, the company produces soft drinks under the brand “Siyoma”, controls the public transport sector in the capital, and the payment system via plastic cards for travel.

The Chinese authorities also agreed to provide financial assistance of 2 million dollars for the construction of a conference hall in the Government Complex of Tajikistan, and signed an agreement for the construction of four new overpasses in the capital, as well as the reconstruction of several roads in the capital of Tajikistan and in several border areas with China.

On August 20, Rustam Emomali arrived in China for an official visit. During this trip, he was accompanied by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, members of parliament, heads of several organizations, agencies, and manufacturing enterprises, and other officials.

It is reported that Rustam Emomali’s visit to China took place at the invitation of Zhao Lei, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, and will last until August 23.

The Mayor of Dushanbe also met with the Mayor of Beijing, visited Tiananmen Square, and laid a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes in honor of the history, culture, and heroes of the Chinese people.

This is Rustam Emomali’s first official visit to China. State media report that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen cooperation between the friendly countries.

At the same time, experts believe that the main goal of this visit is to present 36-year-old Rustam Emomali as the primary heir to Emomali Rahmon on the political stage.

China is the main investor and creditor of Tajikistan. According to official data, Tajikistan’s debt to the Chinese “Exim Bank” alone exceeds one billion dollars.

The terms of these large loans and investments are not officially disclosed. However, Chinese companies enjoy significant privileges in Tajikistan, with the largest deposits of valuable and rare metals being allocated to Chinese mining companies.

Additionally, Tajikistan previously transferred over 1,100 square kilometers of territory to China, which constitutes 0.77 percent of Tajikistan’s total area.