Tajikistan is the smallest state in Central Asia in terms of area. The country is rich in natural resources, but their extraction is hindered by immature infrastructure. Tajikistan is located far away from the basic Eurasian transport routes and has no access to the sea. On account of this, its overseas trade leaves much to be desired. Present-day Tajikistan is reckoned among the poorest states within the CIS.
The second half of the 20th century saw the development of mining and ferrous & non-ferrous metallurgy, as well as the revival of mechanical engineering, chemical industry and construction. Presently, non-ferrous metallurgy has a substantial share of about 40% in the country’s industrial structure. The Tajik Aluminium Plant is well-known as a metal giant all across the CIS. Non-ferrous metallurgy is followed by the food industry with a 20% contribution and the light industry with a 14.6% input. The Tajik chemical industry compromises a modest share of a little bit over 1%. This sector is regarded as relatively young but with a good potential for development. The country has the advantage of a substantial raw materials base (including a variety of mineral resources), low-cost power and abundant water resources. Tajikistan has already established the production of chlorine-containing products and nitrogen fertilisers. It also turns out paints & coatings, household chemical goods and explosives. The country is set to start manufacturing a range of other chemical products in the long term.
Our article deals with Tajikistan’s geographical and economic peculiarities, the state and prospects of its industry as well as with its overseas trade.