Inspired by China, Tajik student hopes to build bilateral business bridge

Amirhamza Temurzoda, a 24-year-old entrepreneur from Tajikistan, is working to turn a vision into reality: building a company that boosts trade between his homeland and China. Currently studying at Tianjin University, Temurzoda sees his path as not only personal but one deeply tied to his hometown's economic future.

Originally from Dangara in Tajikistan's Khatlon province, roughly 100 kilometers from the capital Dushanbe, Temurzoda has witnessed firsthand how Chinese investment is transforming local communities.

In recent years, propelled by China's Belt and Road Initiative, Dangara has emerged as a significant node for economic and trade collaboration between Tajikistan and China.

A pivotal development was the establishment in 2014 of the Zhongtai New Silk Road Tajikistan Agricultural and Textile Industrial Park in Dangara.

Funded by Chinese enterprises, the industrial park is now one of Central Asia's largest integrated textile complexes. It spans the entire production chain from cotton farming to garment manufacturing, employing over 600 people directly and supporting thousands more, he said.

"This project boosted local economic growth and also provided young people with their first tangible exposure to the transformative power of business," Temurzoda said.

Inspired, he pursued studies in finance and economics at Tajikistan National University. During his time there, he noticed a growing demand for Chinese consumer technology. "Affordable, high-quality Chinese tech products, such as smartwatches and smartphones, were particularly popular among Tajik youth," he said.

Leveraging Alibaba.com for sourcing and Instagram for sales, he built a thriving small business. Starting with modest monthly profits of 300 to 400 dollars (2,149-2,865 yuan), his earnings quickly rose to around 1,000 dollars. Within two years, his Instagram account attracted over 40,000 followers, creating a stable customer base.

By his third year, he had formally registered his trading company and launched the brand "Azon.tj". With a 40,000-strong Instagram following and a small team handling logistics, procurement and IT, he established a fully operational business.

"It was like the Chinese saying: 'Although a sparrow is small, it has all the vital organs,'" he said, reflecting on his startup's comprehensive structure.

Economic cooperation between China and Tajikistan has deepened consistently in recent years. China remains Tajikistan's largest source of foreign investment and a crucial trading partner. Bilateral trade reached a historic high of $3.93 billion in 2023, marking a significant 53.5 percent year-on-year increase.

Increasingly, young Tajiks are heading to China to study language and economics, hoping to tap into the growing commercial links, Temurzoda said.

He is one of them. After completing a master's degree in International Trade and Management at Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, he followed his professor's advice and enrolled in an intensive six-month Chinese course at Tianjin University. Since March, he's made rapid progress, passing the HSK Level 4 Chinese language exam by May.

"Tianjin University's teachers tailored the courses to my needs," he said. He frequently practices speaking Chinese at local markets near campus, immersing himself in daily life and culture.

Alongside his language studies, he also takes online courses in international trade, covering company registration, import-export procedures, customs clearance, and taxation.

Looking ahead, Temurzoda plans to gain work experience at an international company before launching his own trade firm. His ambition is clear: to bring more Chinese products to Tajikistan and help Tajik goods reach China.

"China has opened a world of opportunities for me," he said. "I want to become a bridge between our two countries, deepening economic cooperation and contributing to shared prosperity."