The Kulob Free Economic Zone is expected to be launched in Tajikistan. A decision on launching new free economic zone in the country was made yesterday at a government session.
The government session, presided over by President Emomali Rahmon, discussed a bill on military situation (marital law) as well as bills on making changes and addenda to the country’s law on state duty and tax and customs codes, according to the Tajik president’s official website.
Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali reported on the list of commodities that are delivered to the country by the State Unitary Enterprise (SUE) for Production, Purchase and Sale of Basic Necessities in Dushanbe and are exempted from VAT
The Minister of Industry and New Technologies Zarobiddin Fayzullozoda reported on the Non-Ferrous and Ferrous Metallurgy Development Program for the period up to 2025.
The government also discussed the National Youth Social Development Program designed from 2019-2021 and Plan of Actions for Implementation of the 300 Days of Reforms Initiative.
The issue of launching the Kulob Free Economic Zone (FEZ) was also discussed at the meeting.
Four free economic zones now operate in Tajikistan: FEZ Sughd (Sughd province); FEZ Panj (Khatlon province); FEZ Danghara (Khatlon province) and FEZ Ishkashim (Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region – GBAO).
The free economic zones provide preferential terms for economic, financial, trade, information, and other activities for investors. The FEZs offer incentives to investors, including preferences on taxation and customs procedures.
In the early 2000s, foreign direct investment has remained low because of political and economic instability, the poor domestic financial system, and Tajikistan’s geographic isolation. To attract foreign investment and technology, Tajikistan has offered to establish free economic zones in which firms receive advantages on taxes, fees, and customs. In 2004, the parliament passed a law on free economic zones. The zones reportedly offer customs and tax incentives to qualified investors that invest at least 500,000 USD and import at least 90% of the technology and equipment.
