Celebrating 30 Years of Tajikistan's Strong and Stable Growth and Development

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF TAJIKISTAN’S STRONG AND STABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the United States of America. In celebration of this significant milestone, Tajikistan, under the leadership of the President His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, has decisively demonstrated its commitment to developing and expanding multilateral cooperation with the USA.

Independence is a momentous event and achievement that plays a decisive role in the existence and future of every nation. Thirty years ago, the Republic of Tajikistan, a country in Central Asia, gained its Independence. Abundant natural, especially water resources, sizeable human potential, and unique geographical location in the "heart" of Central Asia are of great strategic importance for the region and the world. So, what is Tajikistan’s significance today?

It is a young and dynamic country. Over half of the population constitute young people. Therefore, the Tajik Government has focused on human capital as the main factor of the economic growth model where education and science are the most critical conditions of enhancing national security and national economic competitiveness. Between 2000 and 2020, the poverty rate fell from 83 percent to 27 percent and significant transformations have occurred in the sectors such as education, health and social protection of population. Infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been halved. Hundreds of educational institutions, hospitals, cultural and sports facilities have been built and become operational. More than 1 million jobs have been created, and the number of citizens engaged in labor migration has gone down by 2.5 times. Comprehensive economic reforms have been put on a fast track.
Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy 2030 is aimed at sustainable development through greater diversification and competitiveness of the national economy; efficient use of available resources and natural deposits; identification of new development opportunities; improvement of education, healthcare, human resources; and further advancement of the investment climate to improve the living standards of the people of Tajikistan. Expansion of economic cooperation with regional and international partners and international and regional financial institutions have always been at the center of the Government of Tajikistan. The world’s rapidly changing geopolitical, geo-economic, and technological profile requires Tajikistan to keep up with such changes by investing in sustainable economic development and national and regional security.
Tajikistan has a rapidly evolving business environment. The Republic of Tajikistan successfully continues implementing institutional, economic, and social reforms and offers domestic and foreign investors many commercial and investment opportunities. To facilitate investment and commerce in Tajikistan, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has adopted a broad spectrum of laws and regulations to attract foreign companies to the country. Furthermore, the Government has harmonized the national legislation with international legal acts, thus guaranteeing the investors’ rights. The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan effectively cooperates with many countries of the world and international organizations. Since 2013 Tajikistan has been a member of the World Trade Organization. In addition to “opening the doors” as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Republic of Tajikistan has developed a multi-sectoral economy. Over the past years, Tajikistan has adopted more than 100 legal acts to meet the requirements of the WTO. In particular, the Republic of Tajikistan recognized the UN Convention on “Recognition and implementation of the decision of external arbitration” and the Hague Apostille Convention. The current legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan provides more than 70 different guarantees, tax, and tariff preferences. Today, five free economic zonesoperate in the Republic of Tajikistan, in which more than 100 business entities have been successfully operating. Notably, subjects of Free Economic Zones are exempt from all taxes and customs duties, except for employees' social and income taxes.
Tajikistan is a water–abundant country. 68% of the water resources of Central Asia are located in Tajikistan. The cumulated length of the rivers is more than 30 thousand kilometers. There are more than 13 000 lakes, with a total area of 1 thousand square kilometers. The glaciers of the Pamir Mountains are a source of clean and fresh water. Tajikistan generates 96% of electricity in hydropower facilities and is now among the six leading countries globally in “green energy” generation. Today, Tajikistan is ranked 135th in global greenhouse gas emissions - the number of greenhouse gases per capita in Tajikistan is the lowest in the region. Indeed, it is a valuable contribution of the Republic of Tajikistan in global efforts to address environmental challenges. The Tajik Government will further expand and extend renewable energy sources (mainly hydropower) to keep the lowest level of hazardous emissions and help the planet. Tajikistan has been promoting the development of a "green economy" in the country. It will further contribute to the environmental protection in the region and the planet through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other targeted actions.
Tajikistan has great tourism potential. Tourism in Tajikistan offers travelers a great combination of inspiring natural landscapes, mountain peaks, alpine meadows, crystal clear lakes, ancient cities that were once part of Tajik civilizations. The Tajik nation also made a significant contribution to global culture. Currently, the proto-urban site of Sarazm (4th-3rd millennium BCE) and the Tajik National Park are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and 17 others are under consideration. The “e-Visa” internet portal enables foreign citizens to receive an electronic entry visa before they arrive in the country.
Tajikistan’s ancient traditions and national holidays like Nawruz, Mehrgon, and Sada have promoted decent behavior and morality through the ages. They are the spiritual and nontangible cultural treasures of the Tajik nation.
Modern technologies and globalization created conditions for entirely different formats of economic cooperation and business investments. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, effective dialog platforms have been established. Tajikistan is pleased to note that one of the most effective platforms is the US-Tajikistan Business Council (USTJBC). Since the beginning of 2021, thanks to the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) discussions, the Tajik Government has observed increased interest and new openings for mutually beneficial cooperation between American companies, including those already actively investing and trading in neighboring countries in the region, and their Tajik partners. With facilitation and support from the US–Tajikistan Business Council (USTJBC), the Tajik people are confident that they will soon witness how various business ideas can be transformed into real projects.

By celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Independence, the Republic of Tajikistan has again demonstrated its openness to further developing and expanding business and economic relations with the United States of America in all areas of mutual interests. The evolution of Tajikistan's Independence has rewarded the people with a real opportunity to build the nation's present and future as a sovereign state that is democratic, law-based, and secular society well-integrated in the world economy.

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

About: The US-Kyrgyzstan Business Council (USKGZBC) and The US-Tajikistan Business Council (USTJBC) are private and independent trade associations aimed at advancing commercial and investment ties between the United States of America, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan. The councils are membership-based organizations representing US companies that are active and/or are interested in doing business in these Central Asian markets. The main mission of the USKGZBC and USTJBC is to advance its members’ commercial activities in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan and to encourage the American public to develop stronger business relations with these two nations. Serving as a clearinghouse and driven by mutually beneficial interests, the USKGZBC and USTJBC provide practical views and share solutions with the governments of the United States, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan on what can be done to further strengthen trade. The councils are powerful advocacy organizations that multiply the voice of the US business community committed to doing business in this part of the world.