In the customs building in Dushanbe, staff are busy verifying the mountain of customs declarations accumulated in the first half of the year. As the final data summary is completed, a clear signal emerges: in the heartland of Eurasia, Tajikistan's foreign trade indicator is firmly pointing towards the east. Despite the uncertainty in the global trade environment, the economic and trade ties between China and Tajikistan have become increasingly resilient in the face of headwinds.

The export to China is growing rapidly

Opening the export ledger, China's performance is the most impressive. In the first half of this year, Tajikistan's exports to China surged by 212.6 million US dollars compared to the same period last year, far exceeding other markets. Following closely behind is Belgium, which increased by $65.7 million, while Russia and Kazakhstan also contributed $19.9 million and $17.6 million in growth, respectively. However, not all markets were smooth. Exports to the Netherlands shrank by 194.3 million dollars, and exports to Pakistan and Türkiye also decreased by 8.4 million dollars and 6.3 million dollars, respectively. Amidst the ups and downs, the Chinese market has become a key ballast for Tajikistan's stable export growth.

Leading the way in imports from China

On the import side, China also plays the role of the "main supplier". Data shows that Tajikistan's total imports of goods from China increased by 362.3 million US dollars, setting a new record for trade growth. Russia and Kazakhstan ranked second and third, with import increments of $224.6 million and $174.6 million, respectively. It is worth noting that imports from Germany, South Korea, and Vietnam have also achieved significant increases, with increments in the tens of millions of dollars. In contrast, the supply of goods from the UK, Pakistan, the US, and India has experienced varying degrees of decline, reflecting a shift in the focus of Tajikistan's import sources.

Closer economic and trade ties

Based on comprehensive import and export data, Tajikistan's connections with its major trading partners are undergoing a deep reshuffle. China's share and influence in Tajikistan's foreign trade have further expanded, not only leading in scale, but also providing strong support in terms of growth momentum. This comprehensive trade interaction marks the continuous enhancement of economic complementarity between the two countries and provides a solid guarantee for Tajikistan to integrate into regional cooperation and stabilize domestic supply and demand. With the deepening of the the Belt and Road Initiative, the economic and trade corridor connecting China and Tajikistan is becoming wider and wider.Editor/Yang Meiling