Dushanbe: The transformation of Tajikistan’s cement industry through Chinese investments has positioned the country as a major exporter in Central Asia, but this economic success comes with significant environmental costs. As of 2024, five cement plants built with Chinese capital dominate the industry in Tajikistan, with the three largest contributing to 85% of the annual output. These plants have bolstered local employment, satisfied domestic demand, and generated export revenue.
According to Global Voices, the environmental impact of cement production is globally acknowledged as negative, a reality that is mirrored in Tajikistan. A Soviet-era cement plant in Dushanbe was closed in 2023 due to its environmental impact. The reliance on coal by these new plants exacerbates environmental concerns, given coal’s status as a highly polluting energy source.
China’s role in Tajikistan’s economy is substantial, being the largest investor and lender, and the second-largest trade partner. From 2007 to 2023, Chinese i
nvestments in Tajikistan reached USD 3.845 billion, as reported by Tajikistan’s State Committee for Investments and State Property Management. Before these investments, Tajikistan’s cement industry was minimal, relying on a single Soviet-era plant and heavy imports to meet its demand.
The shift began in 2013 with the establishment of JV Huaxin Gayur Cement in Khatlon province, followed by additional plants in Sughd province and another in Khatlon in 2016, each with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes annually. By 2017, Tajikistan’s annual cement production rose to 3.1 million tons, enabling the country to meet domestic needs and export abroad.
The economic advantages have overshadowed environmental conversations, though critiques have emerged. A 2016 article titled “China shifts polluting cement to Tajikistan” and a 2017 Asia Plus piece highlighted the potential irreversible environmental damage. Concerns persist about the environmental and health impacts on local communities, yet state authorities appear to d
ownplay these issues.
The pattern of silencing and censorship evident in Tajikistan’s gold mining industry, where China is also heavily involved, suggests similar tactics might apply to the cement industry. An anonymous source from the Tajik Environmental Protection Committee disclosed pressure to overlook pollution from the Zarafshon gold mine, a joint Tajik-Chinese venture.
China’s global position as the largest cement producer, with 2.1 billion metric tons in 2023, contrasts with its green development rhetoric. While China has integrated ecological priorities into its national policy and international agreements like the Paris Agreement, its Belt and Road Initiative reflects a different approach, expanding polluting industries abroad.
Chinese companies, including Huaxin Cement, are aggressively expanding internationally, despite criticism for bypassing environmental assessments in countries like Nepal. Tajikistan, driven by economic incentives, appears willing to overlook the potential environmental and
public health consequences in favor of economic gains from these investments.