ADB & Customs Modernization: Tajikistan’s Customs Service met the Asian Development Bank to plan upgrades at key border checkpoints, with Fotehobod-Oybek, Sarazm and Navbunyod flagged as priorities; the projects sit under the CAREC program, aiming to expand capacity and cut customs clearance times, with about $400m expected over eight years. Air Connectivity Boost: Somon Air took delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 (737 MAX family), leased from DAE, to modernize the fleet and support new routes including London, Beijing and Guangzhou. Bilateral Trade Push: Tajikistan’s economic ministry discussed expanding investment and trade with the Tajikistan–Türkiye Business Council, highlighting textiles, agri-processing, building materials and pharma, and noting 2024 trade turnover of $445.8m. Labor Migration Watch: Russia tightened migration rules, and work-related entries from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan fell about 15% in H1 2026 to roughly 1.9m; Tajik entries dropped 17.9% to 494,500. US Funding for Regional Firms: The U.S. doubled support for the TRIPP+ Enterprise Fund to $402m to back private-sector development across South Caucasus and Central Asia, with Armenia expected as the main beneficiary. Energy Sector Cooperation: Kyrgyzstan’s national grid operator hosted Tajik energy firms to share practices on reducing electricity losses and managing peak loads, including digital customer services.