National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan discusses correspondent banking links and Japanese bank entry with Japan’s ambassador

The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan reported on a meeting between its chairman, Firdavs Tolibzoda, and Japan’s ambassador to Tajikistan, Keiko Furuta, focused on deepening cooperation between the two countries’ banking systems. Discussions covered establishing and expanding correspondent banking relationships and the potential for Japanese participation in Tajik credit institutions, including via equity investment and the opening of branches or representative offices. Tolibzoda highlighted the central bank’s interest in restoring correspondent relations and opening correspondent accounts with Japanese banks, as well as developing bilateral cooperation with the Bank of Japan. He also noted that Tajikistan’s banking legislation provides favourable conditions for foreign banks to establish banks, branches and representative offices in Tajikistan, and that the National Bank is prepared to consider relevant applications, with equal rights for foreign and domestic investors guaranteed. The meeting also touched on cooperation through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the JDS grant project for human resource development scholarships, which the parties linked to infrastructure strengthening, natural disaster risk management and human capital development.