DUSHANBE (TajikTTA) — In Tajikistan, Dungara Free Economic Zone (FEZ) attracted more than 20.5 mln somoni (more than $2.1 mln) of direct investments in the first half of the year.

As the local media reported referring to the deputy head of the Dangara FEZ Safarali Taifurov, since the beginning of the activity in the FEZ, 1 billion 633 million somoni (more than $173.1 mln at the current rate) were attracted from direct investments. The increase in investment, he said, is associated with the construction of a number of production facilities, the registration of new production entities.

The largest investments were recorded by Chinese, Iranian and Russian companies. Altogether 25 entities were registered in the Dangara FEZ, seven of which are engaged in the production and provision of services. In particular, the production of detergents, metal structures, building materials, etc. are established on the territory of the FEZ.

The Dangara FEZ is a production and innovative zone in the Khatlon Region with the area of 521 hectares. The Free Economic Zone is a part of the customs territory of Tajikistan. The core purpose of placing goods within the territory of free economic zones is to exempt tenants from customs duties, taxes, and also remove any restrictions of an economic character set by the regulations of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The Dangara FEZ area is unique in that it is located near the Sargazon area, where there are deposits of gas and oil, a huge stock of inert materials. On the border of the free economic zone is a railway, in 20 km there is a hydro power station Sangtuda-1 and HPP Sangtuda-2.