DUSHANBE – Tajik Prime Minister Akil Akilov suggested that visiting Pakistani business leaders invest in Tajikistan’s hydro-electric sector, AsiaPlus.tj reported May 31.

Addressing a May 31-June 3 forum for Tajik and Pakistani corporate leaders, Akilov said Tajik-Pakistani trade has grown every year but has room to expand. Trade in the first four months of 2011 totalled US $3.4m (15.4m TJS), he said.

Akilov emphasised the potential of Tajikistan’s hydro-electric sector, saying it could supply 527 billion kWH of electricity per year. “Only 6% of that supply is used now,” he said. Tajikistan hopes for investment to build hydro-power stations and install power transmission lines, he said, adding that the first steps to supply cheap power to energy-starved Pakistan are under way.

Ghulam Ali, president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and leader of the 110-person Pakistani delegation, noted that transportation between Pakistan and Tajikistan is difficult: there are no nonstop airline flights, and land routes through Afghanistan are dangerous. He expressed hope that nonstop flights between Islamabad and Dushanbe would begin soon.