DUSHANBE, April 13, 2016, Asia-Plus — Prime Minister Qohir Rasouzldoa yesterday held the 16th session of the Consultative Council on Improvement of Investment Climate under the President of Tajikistan.
The meeting reportedly discussed issues related to improvement of investment climate in agrarian and transport sectors and development of agribusiness in the country.
Qodir Qosim, the Executive Secretary of the Council and Chairman of the State Committee on Investments and State-owned Property Management, reported on the progress of the implementation of the Council’s past decisions. At the previous session, the Council made decisions on the development of industry and support for national producers, on lowering export costs for competitive products, and increasing access to electricity for businesses. The 15th session also addressed the development of the insurance market, a timely review of requests from entrepreneurs, and the stable development of businesses and investments inflows.
Izatullo Sattori, the Minister of Agriculture, reported on the second item of the agenda dedicated to the agrarian sector. He, in particular, noted that an inter-ministerial working group under the Ministry of Agriculture had completed a comprehensive analysis of the agrarian sector to identify ways to improve the investment climate and promote agribusiness. The working group reportedly elaborated 104 specific recommendations and a 39-point plan of actions, which will help to improve the investment climate in the agricultural sector and promote agribusiness development.
Speaking at the session, Nematullo Hikmatullozoda, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, reportedly highlighted the existing shortcomings in tax administration and outlined possible ways to address them.
Representatives from the private sector and Development Partners also made respective presentations.
Ms. Nabot Dodkhudoyeva, the Head of Madina and Partners LLC, spoke on the role of the private sector in implementing the previous decisions of the Council: creating jobs through the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises, translating local resources into final products, and the full processing of fruit and vegetables.
Richard Jones, Head of the Representative Office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Tajikistan, praised the role of the Consultative Council as a public-private dialogue platform to improve the investment and business climate in the country. EBRD’s contribution to the development of the private sector, through financing infrastructure projects, including in energy, industry and the financial services, was also noted.
Viorel Gutu, Head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Tajikistan, spoke of the need for agricultural reform across all value-chains, for the introduction of various financial incentives and for the expansion of ‘extension services’ to attract investment for agribusiness. In addition, a greater commercialization of seed, equipment and agricultural insurance would help to support farmers. Gutu also emphasized the need to strengthen the national Food Safety System and further reduce barriers to trade.
