DUSHABE, September 6, Asia-Plus -- Implementing the presidential decree on transparency in the work of state authorities and management was discussed at a meeting organized by the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe on September 4.

Press release issued by the OSCE Center in Dushanbe said that the event, which was part of an OSCE-supported project to develop dialogue between the authorities and civil society, brought together some 70 government officials, representatives of political parties, media and national minorities, as well as members of non-governmental and international organizations.

"A high level of accountability and transparency in government institutions at all levels is considered a basic prerequisite for creating a business environment favourable to the development of domestic entrepreneurship and also for providing investment conditions that will attract outside investors," said Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE Centre.

In 2008, the OSCE Centre plans to organize training sessions on preventing corruption and money laundering for local authorities throughout Tajikistan, in co-operation with the Financial Control Agency.

The President''s decree on ensuring transparency in the activities of organs of state authorities and management was issued on 4 March 2005. The decree tasks state bodies with reporting on their activities to the media on a regular basis through press conferences.