Edible Oil Industry Upgrade: A new automated edible oil plant in Sughd’s Bobojon Gafurov district was inaugurated, using Chinese smart equipment from Newamstar and targeting up to 200 tons of sunflower, cottonseed and blended oil daily—boosting Tajikistan’s modern production capacity. Agro-Logistics Push: In Khorugh, President Emomali Rahmon reviewed an agro-logistics center project for sorting, storage, processing and packaging of mountain-grown fruits and vegetables, with capacity up to 600 tons at a time and 64 permanent and seasonal jobs. Power and Renewables in GBAO: Rahmon commissioned major energy assets in Gorno-Badakhshan, including a 110/35 kV substation and solar plants (3 MW in Shughnon and additional smaller solar facilities), aimed at stabilizing electricity supply in remote districts. Transport for Trade: Tajikistan presented road reconstruction phases in GBAO, including Rushon–Varshez highway works tied to the Dushanbe–Kulma–China border corridor, designed to cut travel times and lower goods transport costs. Regional Economic Outlook: The ADB’s latest outlook keeps Tajikistan’s 2026 growth at 7% (with inflation around 4.5%), while noting fuel-import disruptions linked to the Ukraine war. US Sanctions Ripple: New US sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector are driving flight cancellations and forcing more travel and cargo disruption across the region, with knock-on effects for trade routes.