The 22nd Session of the Consultative Council for Improvement of Investment Climate (Council), presided over by President Emomali Rahmon, who is also Chairman of the Council, took place on March 16.  

The meeting reportedly discussed issues related to the implementation of the decisions of the 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.

Speaking at the meeting, President Rahmon 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. 

The Chairman of the State Committee on Investment and State-owned Property Management (GosKomInvest) Saadi Qodirzoda, who is also Executive Secretary of the Council, reportedly made a presentation on the results of the analysis and recommendations on the development of e-commerce in the country.

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 reportedly made in this regard.

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 Hasanov, Head of the Korvoni Asr LLC, Mr. Farrukh Solehov, Head of the Innovation in Modern Technologies LLC, and other participants expressed their views on the issues discussed during the session.