On January 29, 2016, the National Library of Tajikistan, Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment Climate under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan (Consultative Council), the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management (SCISPM ) and UNDP jointly held a Round Table to highlight the role of Local Councils on Improvement of Investment and Business Climate in Economic Development of the country. The event was opened by Lochin Fayzullozoda-First Deputy Chairman of SCISPM and he noted that the establishment and strengthening of the institutional capacity of the new and operating public-private dialogue councils at the local level was one of the priority directions of the activities of the Consultative Council and the SCISPM. As has been noted, the responsible government agencies focus their efforts to eliminate barriers impeding business activities and create favorable conditions for private sector growth, thereby creating new jobs and increasing the contribution of the private sector in economic development. In this context, strengthening the local consulting councils has been noted as a main important mechanism of public-private dialogue.

At the event, the acting Head of UNDP in Tajikistan Mr Ghulom Isakzai had a speech and mentioned that in the framework of the implementation of the projects for supporting public-private dialogue in the national level a comprehensive works are implementing. It was noted that several ongoing UNDP projects aimed at supporting the government agencies and the private sector at the local level.

Then, the Head of the Secretariat of the Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment Climate under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Numon Abdughafforzoda made a presentation on «Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment Climate under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan as a Factor Public Private Dialogue" and the role of Council on establishment and strengthening the activities of the local councils. It was noted that the goal of this activity was to present the results of the implementation of Protocol’ decisions of the 14th Session of the Consultative Council dated on 17 November 2014, which decided to establish the consultative councils on improvement of business and investment climate under the chairman of cities and districts and to create the necessary conditions for such council’s work. During the presentation it was noted on experience of the Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment Climate under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, implemented reforms in the framework of the Council’ activity, legal basis of the activity of the local councils.

During the round table, the participants, as well as Manuchehr Rahmonov, UNDP Senior Specialist on the economic development , the chairman of the Agribusiness Association of Tajikistan Shorauf Shorahmatov, Shahlo Rahimova, DFID Project Manager, representative of the Committee on Local Development under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Solor Muhammadiev, Head of National Association of Small and Medium Business, Matluba Uljabaeva, Head of Jirgital district’s Association of Entrepreneurs Kurbonali Nemonov, Chairman of the Association of Entrepreneurs in Yovon district - Ilhomiddin Kurbonov, secretaries Zafar Alizoda from Khatlon council and Zafar Hisoriev form the Rasht Valley council, deputy secretary of the Isfara city council Ibodullo Fatoev and deputy secretary of the Kulob city council Abdurazoq Khujamkulov and others submitted their presentations and also reported on their ongoing activities.

The discussion of the round table touched the need to coordinate councils’ extension at the national and local levels, tracking the impact of economic crisis on business community and job creation. The participants discussed response strategies based on extending favorable loan rates and expanding access to loans based on the analysis of the causes of entrepreneurs failures. The round table participants proposed to activate the working group on the tax code, organizing

gold panning industry and establishing gold accepting points among others suggestions.

Today for the development of the public-private dialogue platforms local councils on improvement of investment and business climate operate and being established at the local level in more than 30 towns and districts of the country.

In this case, the Secretariat of the Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment Climate under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, in cooperation with the private sector and the support of development partners, particularly UNDP implemented necessary measures. Regarding establishment of the consultative councils on improvement of business and investment climate and strengthening the institutional capacity of existing councils in 9 regions and districts of the country, as well as Khatlon, Sughd, Rasht Valley, Istaravshan, Panjakent, Isfara cities, Jilikul, Shahrituz, Vose, Farkhor, temurmalik and Ayni districts has been organized awareness raising activities.

In continuation of this process, between December 21 and 24, 2015 a workshop was held on "Strengthening the Capacity of the Executive Authorities and Consultative Council Secretaries to Improve the Business Environment". The workshop convened 24 representatives from towns, region and districts of Khatlon, Sughd and the Rasht Valley. The main purpose of the training was to facilitate exchange of experience, and enhance the skills and knowledge level of the private sector, local authorities and the Secretaries of the consultative councils to lead

At the end of the round table, participants expressed the confidence that the Secretariat of the Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment Climate under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and the State Committee on Investment and state Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan, the private sector, in collaboration with development partners will be able make significant contribution to the initiative of the President of the Republic, Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon on improving the business climate and strengthening the public private dialogue through the Consultative Councils.