DUSHANBE, February 24, 2011, Asia-Plus — Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) Shukurjon Zuhurov has criticized poor work of three of four free economic zones (FEZ) functioning in the country.
His criticism, directed at the FEZ administrtions, came during an address to a regular sitting of the second session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the fourth convocation on February 23.
According to Zuhurov, more than 12 million U.S. dollars have been attracted over two years of functioning of the Sughd Free Economic Zone in northern Tajikistan and some 10 foreign countries are now successfully operating in this zone.
We will recall that the government passed a law establishing free economic zones in Sughd and Panj in 2004. These zones are dedicated to create favorable conditions that stimulate investment opportunities in Tajikistan, creating more jobs, boosting local production, and increasing the country’s export potential.
At the same time, the speaker noted that administrations of Panj, Ishkashim and Danghara zones have failed to organize proper work so far.
He offered the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to provide assistance with development of projects for those zones that could interest foreign investors in them.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Farrukh Hamraliyev noted that the mentioned zones would receive 300,000 somoni each this year.
During discussions on the FEZ bill authored by the government, MP Shodi Shabdolov noted that the draft law was dedicated “to give the green light to investors and put barrier on the way of corruption.”
“It surprises me that Tajik entrepreneurs may invest in projects in many counties of the world but not in Tajikistan,” said Shabdolov, “In my opinion, they do so because they do not believe that they will be able to recover their money invested in projects in these zones. I think the draft law may remove this distrust.”
Parliamentarians endorsed the FEZ bill by a majority vote.
