On February 13, 2016, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, esteemed Davlatali Said, met with the entrepreneurs of Hisor and Tursunzoda cities and Shahrinav and Rudaki districts.

During the meeting, the First Prime Minister spoke about the policy of Leader of Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon to develop the private sector and noted that as the result of implemented reforms, the business and investment activity has been growing annually. Furthermore, by instructions of the President, regular meeting of officials with entrepreneurs is holding in Hisor and Tursunzoda cities, and also in Shahrinav and Rudaki districts.

He noted that measures being undertaken contributed to growing role of the private sector in the national economy. In particular, in 2015 private sector contributed 78 % of tax revenue of the state budget and 65 % of the Gross Domestic Product. The private sector has provided a place of work for a 63.8 % of the Tajikistan’s active population.

The First Deputy Prime Minister also summarized the state of enterpreneurship and investment indicators in the Hissor Valley. There were 275,653 businesses registered in Tajikistan as of December 31, 2015, which was 32,380 businesses greater compared to 2014, or a 11.7% increase from the previous year.

Out of this number, 7,444 businesses were registered in Hissor, 1,854 in Shahrinav district, 6,637 to Tursunzoda city and 9,011 businesses registered in Rudaki district.

To support the entrepreneurs, Tajikistan’s banks and credit organizations have extended to businesses a total of 11,216 million TJS in loans, which is 12.3% more compared to the amount loaned in 2014. From this amount, 399.87 million TJS were loaned in Hissor, 67.38 million TJS in Shahrinav city, 152.26 million TJS in Tursunzod city, and 200.92 million TJS in the Rudaki district.

In 2015, the state has allocated 70 million TJS to capitalize the State Unitary Fund “Entrepreneurship Support Fund under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan”. In 2015, the Entrepreneurship Support Fund extended subsidized loans to 21 businesses in the amount of 36.2 million TJS. In 2016, the state plans to allocate additional 120 million TJS to the Fund to support entrepreneurship. Also to attract additional capital to the Entrepreneurship Support Fund, the state has reached cooperation agreement with international financial organizations.

From all Entrepreneurship Support Fund’s projects, 6 projects worth 7,8 million TJS were funded in town of Hissor, 1 project worth 600 thousands TJS was funded in Shahrinav district, 6 projects worth 2,8 million TJS were funded in the Tursunzoda city, and 2 projects worth 1.6 million in Rudaki district.

In his speech, esteemed Davlatali Said mentioned the significant contribution of entrepreneurs in contributing to the economy, creating jobs and improving the living standards of the people. In this regard, on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon announced October 14 as the Entrepreneurship Day, when a regular meeting of the President with entrepreneurs and investors became a tradition.

He invited private sector representatives and domestic entrepreneurs, in this time of crisis, to sincerely understand and take advantage of the supports of the Leader of Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon and the Government of the country to impart their knowledge, skills and opportunities grow domestic production, increase production of import-substituting and export-oriented products, and supply the domestic market with competitive products.

During the meeting, the entrepreneurs shared their views, which offered an opportunity for the First Deputy Prime Minister to answer private sector’s questions and concerns.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of State Committee on Investment and State Property Management, Qodiri Qosim; the Chairman of the Tax Committee, Nusratullo Davlatzoda. Also attending were the head of the Secretariat of the Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment Climate, the representatives of the State Committee of Land Management and Geodesy, Tojikstandart Agency, the Customs Service, and representatives of other ministries and agencies.