On 16 March 2022, the 22^nd Session of the Council was held under the chairmanship of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Chairman of the Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment Climate H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon.

The meeting discussed issues related to the implementation of the decisions of the Consultative Council, the results of analysis and recommendations on the development of e-commerce, the use of modern tools for development of women and youth entrepreneurship, and the draft agenda of the next meeting of the Consultative Council.

While discussing the agenda items, the Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon noted the role of the Council meetings in steady expansion of the reform process through open public-private dialogue, and highlighted the improvement of the investment climate in the real economy, establishment of public-private partnership, the accession of Tajikistan to international conventions, the establishment of sovereign credit rating of Tajikistan, the introduction of electronic services for entrepreneurs and investors, the announcement of a moratorium on inspections and other reforms among the results of the effective operation of the Council.

Mr President noted that with a view to ensuring the private sector’s sustainable development, the regulatory framework in the areas of business registration, state protection and support of entrepreneurship and investment and the licensing system has been improved, and the revised Tax Code, which became effective at the beginning of 2022, will lay the foundation for the improvement of the business and investment climate, the transition to digital technology, and job creation. He also mentioned the important role of e-commerce, especially in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, creation of environment to reduce the costs associated with the trade, performance of non-cash transactions in a shorter time, as well as other aspects of the sector.

President Rahmon also highlighted the importance of removing obstacles to the activities of the private sector due to unjustified inspections and fines, including taxation, sanitation and hygiene, inspections of the operation and connection to the power grid and the prevention of fires. He stressed that the main task of the relevant bodies is not only to impose fines, but also to cooperate and assist in preventing and avoiding violations by the businesses, and the results of the authorities' activities would be positive only when the number of violations in the field decreases. In this regard, it was noted that the full introduction of the electronic system would ensure transparency in the relationship between inspection bodies and business entities, which would allow to identify and eliminate shortcomings in a timely manner and lift the need for large number of inspections.

Mr Saadi Qodirzoda, Executive Secretary of the Council, Chairman of the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan, delivered a report on the first item of the meeting agenda.

As Mr Qodirzoda noted, the decisions taken at the last meeting of the Consultative Council are aimed at improving the investment climate in industry, including improving the regulatory framework, increasing production capacity and exports, developing e-commerce, establishing logistics centers and other issues of business and investment development.

In this context, the Action Plan on Improvement of Investment Climate in Industry (2021-2023) was approved by the Government Resolution of September 2, 2021, and the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Public Policy in Industry was adopted on December 23, 2021.

Also, the State Standard for Higher Education was developed in line with international standards in order to improve the curriculum of secondary and higher education institutions based on the needs of the labor market.

Another result of the reform is the successful implementation of the EU system of registered exporters. It was outlined that 61 local companies registered with the system and they exported a total of more than $19 million worth of goods through this system in 2021.

It was noted that in order to implement the instructions of the country’s President from his meeting with leaders and activists of Khatlon province on February 24 of this year, the Principal Deputy Prime Minister met with entrepreneurs of Khatlon province on March 5. This meeting discussed and addressed a number of issues and obstacles to the development of entrepreneurship, the establishment of industrial enterprises and creation of new jobs in the region.

As it was noted, in the process of improving public e-services to entrepreneurs and investors by ministries and agencies, the Sohibkor mobile application was developed in three languages ​​(Tajik, Russian and English) and launched on the Internet.

Mr Saadi Qodirzoda, Chairman of the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan made a presentation on the results of the analysis and recommendations on the development of e-commerce in line with the 2^nd item of the agenda.

It was noted that the analysis of e-commerce includes two main sectors, the analysis of legislation in the field of e-commerce regulation and the market framework for the development of e-commerce in the country. A number of suggestions and recommendations were made in this regard.

On the third item of the agenda - the use of modern tools for the development of women and youth entrepreneurship, the Country Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Tajikistan Ms Rika Ishii and the Head of Shafqat LLC Ms Manzura Ghafurova talked on support and development of women and youth entrepreneurship, further plans and measures for the implementation of the program and other documents for the development of women entrepreneurship.

On the final item of the session, a representative of the private sector, the head of the Asrori Sang LLC Daler Sharifi proposed to discuss the issue of ensuring sustainable business development and mobilization of investment for intensive industrialization of the country in the future sessions, which was supported by the Council members.

Ms Sezin Sinanoglu, Chairperson of the Development Coordinating Council, UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan, Mr Ozan Sevimli, Country Manager of the World Bank in Tajikistan, Mr Lenny Montiel, UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan, as well as private sector representatives Mr Abudllo Hasamov, Head of the Korvoni Asr LLC, Mr Farrukh Solehov, Head of the Innovation in Modern Technologies LLC, and others participants expressed their views on the issues discussed during the session.

Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Chairman of the Consultative Council, H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon summarized the session and gave relevant instructions and recommendations to ministries, agencies and government officials and development partners.

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