Tajikistan has expressed interest in partnering with Russia’s Tatneft to operationalize an oil refinery in the Dangara free economic zone, located in the Khatlon region. This initiative was revealed by Sherali Kabir, Tajikistan’s Minister of Industry and New Technologies, during an investment forum in Dushanbe, which brought together representatives from Tajik and Russian companies.
Kabir emphasized the potential advantages of collaborating with Tatneft, particularly in expanding production capabilities in fuel and lubricant manufacturing. “One of the key areas of development between our countries is enhancing production capacities and creating new mechanisms for cooperation,” Kabir stated. He further highlighted that launching the refinery with Tatneft’s involvement could significantly advance this goal.
Additionally, the partnership could provide Tatneft with access to new markets in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Timur Yoribek, Head of the International Relations Department at Tajikistan’s Ministry of Industry, noted the strategic importance of this opportunity: “Up to 30% of Tatneft’s raw materials are exported. By processing them in Tajikistan, the company could gain access to a considerable market—40 million people in Afghanistan and over 230 million in Pakistan.”
Yoribek also pointed out Tajikistan’s advantageous geographical position, with seven bridges connecting it to Afghanistan and offering the shortest routes to Pakistan’s seaports.
The Dangara oil refinery, with a planned capacity of 1.2 million tons of oil annually, was constructed between 2014 and 2018. However, its commissioning has been delayed due to a shortage of raw materials, as Tajikistan’s domestic oil production is insufficient to meet the refinery’s needs.