ISLAMABAD - The work on CASA-1000 megawatt power import project would start in 2010, Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf informed on Tuesday while talking to media after concluding session of Pak-Tajik Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting. Experts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are working on early start of the project, the minister said. He said that CASA-1000MW project aimed at setting up regional electricity market for meeting the needs of the power deficient country. He said that strong commitment existed for implementing the CASA-1000 project among member countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzistan and Tajikistan. The minister said that Pakistan and Tajikistan discussed various proposals for cooperation in different fields of economy and other sectors. He said that a joint protocol was signed between the sides at the end of the meeting for further cooperation in many areas like trade, industrial joint ventures, energy, science and technology, combating narcotics and promotion of agriculture, livestock, communications culture and tourism. Raja Pervez Ashraf said that both sides agreed to continue talks on starting direct flights from Pakistan to Tajikistan. Earlier, addressing the international seminar on energy, organised by the Embassy of Tajikistan, the minister offered Tajikistan technical assistance in new power projects being started in Tajikistan. He said that Pakistan was facing acute power shortage and the government was initiating several mega projects including $11.6 billion Diamir-Bhasha Dam project to generate 4500MW electricity. He said that Pakistan was keen to import hydroelectricity from Tajikistan in order to meet the gap between demand and supply. Pervez Ashraf said the JEC would lead to a higher level of economic cooperation as both Pakistan and Tajikistan had traditionally close and brotherly ties. Tajik Minister for Energy and Industry Gul Sharali said that the both countries should improve economic cooperation and enhance bilateral trade. He also hoped that JEC would further strengthen ties between the member countries and would open new venues of cooperation.