Meeting of Hokim Kholiqzoda with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Tajikistan

On November 25, 2021, Hokim Kholiqzoda, Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan, received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Walid ibn Abdurahmon ar-Reshaidan.

First of all, Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan Hokim Kholiqzoda congratulated Mr. Walid ibn Abdurahmon ar-Reshaidan on his appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Tajikistan and wished him success in his further diplomatic tenure.

Then Hokim Kholiqzoda Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan talked about economic situation in the country and noted that despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national economy, Tajikistan ensured real economic growth by taking timely measures. As a result, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in January-October 2021 amounted to 78.9 billion somoni and its real growth amounted to 9.0%, which is 4.8% more compared to the same period last year.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the draft Memorandum of Understanding between the National Bank of Tajikistan and the Monetary Agency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and exchanged views on matters on expediting the process of signing Memorandum of Understanding between the Financial Monitoring Department under the National Bank of Tajikistan and Saudi Arabian Financial Intelligence Unit on exchange of information between institutions on money laundering, terrorism financing and related crime.

“Along with amendments to the Tax Code of the Republic of Tajikistan, even better conditions have been created for investment and business development in the country. In particular, there are so many opportunities to attract investments in banking sector, including Islamic banking. In this regard, it would be useful to strengthen cooperation between the central and commercial banks of the two countries”-said Hokim Kholiqzoda, Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan.

In his turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Walid ibn Abdurahmon ar-Reshaidan, talking about the actions of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the National Bank of Tajikistan to eliminate consequences of the pandemic and ensure economic development mentioned that Saudi Arabia wants to further strengthen trade relations with Republic of Tajikistan.

“It is significant that there are plenty of opportunities and conditions to attract investments in the Republic of Tajikistan, including banking sector, and we will try to use these opportunities to attract our investors to your country,” said Mr. Walid ibn Abdurahman ar-Reshaidan.

During the meeting, matters on information exchange between central banks, experience and retraining of the banking system of the two countries and the development of the insurance market were also discussed.

It should be noted that both sides once again expressed their readiness to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and trade and economic relations in banking systemdevelopment.

Finally, Mr. Walid ibn Abdurahmon ar-Reshaidan invited Management of the National Bank of Tajikistan to visit the Central Bank and get acquainted with the banking system of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and this invitation was accepted by Hokim Kholiqzoda Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan.

Press division