President Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan arrived in Brunei Darussalam yesterday for a two-day state visit.
The President’s flight arrived at Brunei International Airport yesterday morning where Dato Paduka Haji Mohamed Noor bin Haji Jeludin, Deputy Permanent Secretary/Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade greeted and accompanied the President from his plane to the tarmac and where he was officially welcomed by HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Brunei Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Also present to greet the President were the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman and other high ranking government officials.

From there, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and the President proceeded to Istana Nurul Iman where an audience was made with His Majesty the Sultan.

The visit is expected to boost growth in economic development for both countries where part of the visit includes briefings by Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) and Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB).

This is President Emomali Rahmon’s first state visit to Brunei Darussalam since the two nations established diplomatic relations in June 2004. Rahmon has been President of Tajikistan since November 1994 and was re-elected on November 2006.

Tajikistan has a population of seven million comprising of 80 per cent Tajiks, 15 per cent Uzbeks, one per cent Russian. Ninety per cent of its population are Muslim while Russian Orthodox, Christians and Jews make up the rest.

Land area is 142,000 sq km and the capital city is Dushanbe. Its main export commodities are aluminium, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil and textile. Main imports include electricity, petroleum products, aluminium oxide, machinery and equipment and foodstuffs.

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