OSCE Office helps promote attractive investment and business climate in Tajikistan
DUSHANBE, 23 September 2008 - Ways of creating conditions for attracting investment and developing businesses are being discussed at an OSCE-organized seminar that began in Dushanbe today.
The two-day event was designed to help facilitate an exchange of good practices and policies between policy-makers, practitioners, private sector representatives and experts from other transition economies. It was organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, the Office of the Co-ordinator of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
Senior representatives of Tajik governmental institutions dealing with investment and business development, including the Ministries of Economy and Trade; Energy and Industry; Agriculture; Members of Parliament; as well as business representatives and representatives of foreign investors associations and international organizations are taking part in the event. Representatives of Afghanistan are also participating.
"Tajikistan has witnessed positive economic growth and various economic reforms, but foreign investment remains insufficient, and the private sector faces a variety of challenges related to investment growth," said Klaus Rasmussen, Deputy Head of OSCE Office in Tajikistan.
"It is vitally important to facilitate an exchange of good practices and measures used in other OSCE countries to develop legal and institutional frameworks supportive of investment and business development, to introduce investment incentives, promote good governance and address the needs of supportive infrastructures."
Participants will also discuss the investment climates in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, incentives and free/special economic zones and favourable conditions needed to encourage investing in the agricultural sector to strengthen the country's food security. They will review the recommendations outlined in the OSCE Best-Practice Guide, a publication produced to assist government authorities and policymakers in promoting favorable business and investment climates.