A report by the World Bank notes that Tajikistan's economy has a substantial presence of state-owned enterprises (SOE), with over 1,000 of them registered with public equity and more than 600 majority state-owned. SOEs are reportedly present in various economic sectors, including competitive sectors where private sector operation is viable, raising concerns about the necessity of state involvement.
Tajikistan Economic Update – Summer 2024 says that the largest SOEs—primarily in sectors such as mining, energy, and telecom—hold the majority of SOE assets, with the top 10 holding 97 percent of total SOE assets.
The economic impact of the SOE sector is constrained by operational inefficiencies. Most large SOEs are unprofitable and loss-making, posing serious fiscal risks to the country's financial stability, with the cumulative net loss of the largest 25 SOEs amounting to nearly TJS 4.2 billion (3.2 percent of GDP) in 2023.
While state involvement in SOEs can serve legitimate purposes, preferential treatment granted to these entities distorts market dynamics and hinders private sector development. Examples of such preferential treatment include tax breaks, subsidized loans, and exemptions from regulations, which foster market inefficiencies and discourage private sector participation.
Tajikistan currently lacks a clear policy framework for SOE creation and ownership, leading to their widespread presence across sectors without considering market efficiency. This lack of clarity heightens the risk of cross-subsidization between commercial and noncommercial activities, deterring private investment and distorting competition.
SOEs operating in competitive sectors further exacerbate market distortions by not being required to achieve commercial rates of return, thus enjoying an unfair advantage over private competitors.
Additionally, the dual role of SOEs in policymaking and market participation creates conflicts of interest, further distorting markets. Legal provisions that favor SOEs, such as tax advantages and lenient insolvency procedures, contribute to market distortions and hinder fair competition. The lack of transparency in state aid distribution and restrictions on foreign investment add to these challenges, limiting market access and efficiency.
Outdated price regulation methodologies in natural monopoly sectors dominated by SOEs undermine efficiency and hinder market competition. It is important for Tajikistan to align regulations with pro-competition principles and update tariff-setting methods to incentivize efficiency and operational performance improvements.
Addressing these challenges requires clear policies to ensure competitive neutrality, transparency in state aid distribution, and reforms to promote fair competition and market efficiency. Tajikistan can unlock its economic potential and foster sustainable growth by fostering a level playing field for all businesses.
