RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/G/399  
18 March 2020  
(20-2037) Page: 1/22 
Trade Policy Review Body   Original: English  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY  
TAJIKISTAN  
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by Tajikistan  
is attached.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the first 
session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on Tajikistan . 
  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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Contents  
 
 
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  3 
2   ECONOMIC SITUATI ON IN 2013 -2019  ................................ ................................ ........  3 
2.1   Macroeconomic Review  ................................ ................................ ...............................  3 
2.2   Monetary and Banking Policy ................................ ................................ ........................  5 
2.3   Fiscal Policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
2.4   Investment and Privatization Policy  ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
2.5   Industry  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  9 
2.6   Agriculture  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  10 
2.7   Energy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  10 
2.8   Transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  11 
2.9   Telecommunications  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 11 
2.10   Tourism  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  12 
3   TRADE POLICY  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  13 
3.1   Trade in Goods  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  13 
3.2   Customs Procedures  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 15 
3.2.1    Establishment of single window mechanism  ................................ ..............................  15 
3.3   Tariffs Regulation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 16 
3.4   Implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement  ................................ ..............  16 
3.5   Technical Barriers to Trade  ................................ ................................ ........................  17 
3.6   Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  ................................ ................................ ..........  17 
3.7   Free Economic Zones (FEZ)  ................................ ................................ .......................  18 
3.8   Government Procurement  ................................ ................................ ..........................  18 
3.9   Competition and Antimonopoly Policy  ................................ ................................ ..........  18 
3.10   Intellectual Property Protection  ................................ ................................ .................  19 
4   BILATERAL AND MU LTILATERAL TRADE AGR EEMENTS  ................................ .............  20 
5   TAJIKISTAN'S PAR TICIPATION IN THE WT O ................................ ............................  20 
6   A MID -TERM FOREC AST OF SOCIAL AND EC ONOMIC INDICATORS OF  THE 
COUNTRY FOR 2020 -2022 ................................ ................................ .............................  20 
7   NATIONAL DEVELOP MENT STRATEGY OF THE  REPUBLIC OF TAJIKIS TAN FOR 
THE PERIOD UP TO 203 0 ................................ ................................ ...............................  21 
8   IMPORTANCE OF TH E FINANCIAL AND TECH NICAL ASSISTANCE OF 
INTERNATIONAL ORGANI ZATIONS TO THE REPUB LIC OF TAJIKISTAN  .........................  22 
 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  At the initiative and with the direct support of the Founder of Peace and National Unity  - Leader 
of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, Tajikistan 
became a member of the World Trade Organiza tion (WTO)  on 2 March 2013, after more than 
11 years of negotiations . 
1.2.  The first Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan has been prepared after 7 years of 
WTO membership and would be submitted to the WTO Secretariat, WTO members and to the WTO 
Trade Policy Review Meeting to be held on 22-24 April 2020. The main purpose of the current report 
is to present the economic situation in the country, the achievements that have been made in its 
trade policy since 2013, as well as the strategic direction an d priorities that have been identified  in 
the field of trade over the near future.  
1.3.  The accession of the Republic of Tajikistan to the WTO provides favourable  conditions for the 
country 's integration into the global economy, for the expansion of mutually b eneficial cooperation 
with its partners and for the protection of economic benefits. Another advantage of greater 
participation in global trading system is the potential for improvements in management structure 
within government and the opportunities that have emerged to train highly qualified specialists in 
the field of economy and international trade.  
1.4.  Tajikistan's membership in the WTO provides for a transparent and predictable treatment of 
goods and services in line with international rules and thus cont ributes to  the improvement of the 
country 's economic competitiveness.  
1.5.  The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan will continue to use the opportunities of WTO 
membership to achieve these goals, including the development of international trade rules that take 
into account the national interest to achieve better and non -discriminatory conditions for access of 
domestic goods and services to the global market, as well as to use the dispute settlement 
mechanism to secure implementation of WTO commitments, part icularly in the respect of free and 
non-discriminatory transit of goods through the territories of other WTO members.  
1.6.  The subsequent sections of this report provide an overview of ongoing reforms and 
achievements in Tajikistan, over 7 years of WTO membersh ip, in various areas of its economy and 
its trade policy, as well as its participation in multilateral and bilateral trade agreements and in the 
WTO itself. This report also provide an overview of the Mid -term prospects for socio -economic 
development of th e country over the years 2020 -2022 and of the National Development Strategy of 
the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030.  
2  ECONOMIC SITUATION I N 2013 -2019  
2.1  Macroeconomic Review  
2.1.  After the accession of the Republic of Tajikistan to the WTO a number of significant reforms 
were undertaken to ensure macroeconomic stability, streamline trade procedures, increase export 
capacity and attract investment into the economy.  
2.2.  The National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period u p to 2030, and 
the Medium -Term Development Program of the Republic of Tajikistan, for the period 2016 -2020, 
identified uplifting a standard of life for every citizen of the country as ultimate goal, and ensuring 
energy independence, food security, exiting from the connectivity deadlock and rapid 
industrialization of the country as strategic goals.  
2.3.  To achieve these goals, a set of measures have been implemented to ensure macroeconomic 
stability, institutional strengthening, and human and regional capacity bu ilding.  
2.4.  In recent years, the global economic and financial crises, trade conflicts and economic sanctions 
applied by some  countries on their trading partners has affected  the national economy of the 
Republic of Tajikistan, in particular its foreign trade & investment flows and the remittances it 
receives from abroad.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  2.5.  For this reason, the Government of the country adopted and implemented the following 
Decrees, with the aim of coordinating macroeconomic policy and preventing the impact of possible 
risks to the national economy:  
• Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Action Plan for the Prevention 
of Impact of Potential Risks to the National Economy "; 
• Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Action Plan for Coordina ting 
the Implementation of Macroeconomic Policy and the Prevention of Impact of Potential 
Risks to the National Economy ". 
2.6.  Within the framework of the Action Plan, the Government of Tajikistan has pursued a number 
of reforms to ensure competitiveness of dom estic goods, sustainable operation of state enterprises 
and banks, strengthening the investment climate, business development and facilitation of trade 
procedures.  
2.7.  As a result of the reforms that were introduced in 2013 -2019, Tajikistan managed to ensure 
average economic growth of 7%. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased from 45.6 billion somoni 
to 77.4 billion somoni (USD 8.2 billion).  
Chart 2.1 Nominal and real GDP growth for 201 3-2019  
 
Source:  Ministry o f Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan ( www.medt.tj ) 
2.8.  GDP per capita increased by a factor of 1.5 during this period. The volume of industrial 
production increased by a factor 1.8, investments in fi xed assets by a factor of 2.1, agricultural 
production by a factor of 1.3 and retail trade by a factor of 1.5.  
2.9.  The growth of the services sector was significant: its share of GDP now amounts to 43.7%, of 
which 15.1% is accounted for  marketing and trade. Th e growth of marketing and trade in 2013 -2019 
achieved an average of 9.8% per year.  
2.10.   At present, the country's poverty rate is on a downward trend, from 35.6% in 2013 to 27.5% 
in 2019.  
2.11.   Total state budget revenues doubled during this period, amounting to 23.2  billion somoni in 
2019. The share of total state budget revenues in relation to gross domestic product was 30%.  
2.12.   Inflation remained stable between 2013 and 2018. During this period, inflation  remained at 
the single digit level of 3.7% to 5.4%.  
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  2.13.   In 2019, ma croeconomic sustainability was ensured through the implementation of economic 
reforms, such as announcement of a rapid industrialization goal through the creation of new 
enterprises, commissioning of new energy capacities, prevention of potential risks to the national 
economy, institutional strengthening of sectors.  
2.14.   In 2019, the country's GDP grew 7.5%, 0.2 percentage point higher than previous year and 
reached 77.4 billion somoni. The GDP deflator in that year was 104.5%.  
2.15.   The GDP growth was achieved by inc reases in output of the following sectors: manufacturing 
(13.6%), agriculture (7.1%), passenger transportation (10.9%), domestic trade (9.0%), paid 
services (2.9%) and export (9.4%).  
2.2  Monetary and Banking Policy  
2.16.   For the purpose of defining the main long -term direction of monetary and credit policy, the 
Government of Tajikistan developed the "Strategy of monetary and exchange rate policy of the 
Republic of Tajikistan for 2016 -2020". This provides an effective mechanism for the development 
and implementation o f monetary and exchange rate policies, the creation of modern operational and 
financial infrastructure, the strengthening of the financial and banking system and other relevant 
priorities.  
2.17.   This document envisages the expansion of institutional reforms, str engthening monetary 
policy instruments, enhancing their effectiveness and transparency and creating a favourable  
environment for transition to a new monetary policy regime: inflation targeting.  
2.18.   The Republic of Tajikistan is taking measures to eliminate the  negative influence of external 
factors and to conduct successful reforms, first of all in the implementation of monetary policy, but 
also in the improvement of the banking system and the introduction of new mechanisms of regulation 
and management, in acco rdance with current  economic and financial conditions.  
2.19.   In particular, taking into account the stable situation reflected in the main macroeconomic 
indicators, such as inflation in 2013 -2018, the refinancing rate was gradually changed from 6.1% to 
14.0% per annum. In 2019, the refinancing rate was reduced to 12.25% per annum.  
2.20.   The Republic of Tajikistan for the first time in the history of its independence entered the 
international capital market and issued Eurobonds worth 500 million dollars and suc cessfully sold 
them.  
Chart 2.2 Changes in a refinancing rate (in %)  
 
Source:  National Bank of Tajikistan ( www.nbt.tj ) 
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2.21.   In the period 2013 -2019, with the aim of supporting the banking system and improving the 
financial position of its credit institutions, the Republic of Tajikistan has consistently provided loans 
in national and foreign currencies to maintain liquidity, thus helping to support stability of the 
country's banking system.  
2.22.   Tajikistan launched new monetary policy instruments: namely intraday, overnight loans and 
credit auctions through the electronic interbank electronic platform "Thomson Reuters " to support 
credit institutions and enhance the money mar ket. 
2.23.   In order to regulate the volume of money in circulation in 2019, overnight deposits in the 
amount of 123.2 billion somoni were attracted.  
2.24.   The volume of currency reserves, one of the operational indicators of monetary policy, 
reached 18.7 billion somon i by the end of 2019, which is 4 times more than in the beginning of 
2013. The volume of cash in circulation has increased from 3.7 billion to 16.1 billion somoni, with 
average annual growth of 24%.  
2.25.   At the same time, for the purpose of effective managemen t and increase of international 
reserves aimed at stability of the financial and economic system, the process of converting non -
monetary gold into monetary gold continued and the operations of purchasing precious metals and 
foreign currency in the domestic  and foreign markets were strengthened.  
2.26.   Net foreign assets (NFA) increased by a factor of 7.8 and thus the volume of foreign assets 
increased by 4.2 compared to the beginning of 2013, amounting to 13.1 billion somoni and 
14.6 billion somoni respectively. Also during this period net domestic assets (an important monetary 
indicator) increased by 1.6, amounting to 5.6 billion somoni by the end of 2019.  
2.27.   In the context of the development of the economy  the cash flow outside of banks (M0) in 
2019 had  increased b y 3.7 times compared to the beginning of 2013, the volume of national currency 
(M3) and broad money (M4) had  grown  by 3.3 and 2.6 times, respectively.  
2.28.   The level of monetization of the economy increased from 21% to 28.6%.  
2.29.   In total, 75 financial credit insti tutions operate in the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan, 
including 17 banks, 21 microcredit deposit organizations, 6 microcredit organizations and 
31 microlending funds. In 2013 -2019 the number of banks increased from 16 to 17 and the number 
of micr ofinance organizations decreased due to reorganization, merger and adaptation to the modern 
requirements of banking supervision.  
Table 2.1 The number of financial and credit institutions  
Name  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
Total (financial and credit institutions)  136 137 123 104 84 79 75 
1.1 Banks  16 17 17 18 17 17 17 
1.2. Microfinance organizations  120 120 106 86 67 62 58 
1.2.1 Microcredit deposit organizations  39 42 39 38 27 25 22 
1.2.2 Microcredit organizations  42 42 31 14 7 6 6 
1.2.3 Microcredit funds  39 36 36 34 33 31 30 
Source:  National Bank of Tajikistan ( www.nbt.tj ) 
2.30.   A new achievement in the country's banking system was the adoption of the Law of the 
Republic of Tajikistan "On the Activities of the Islamic Bank " and the opening of OJSC "Tawhidbank ", 
the first Islamic bank in the country.  
2.31.   In addition, for the first time  in the history of Tajikistan, financial and credit institutions are 
introducing modern banking services such as mobile banking, Internet banking, payment via QR 
codes and electronic money transfer technologies, which provide great opportunities for cashle ss 
and paperless payments.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  2.3  Fiscal Policy  
2.32.   A number of fiscal policy reforms were conducted in the period of 2013 -2019, related to 
effective management of public finances, including improvement of public debt management, 
transparency and simplification of budgeting and taxation process, allocation of expenditures and 
prevention of secondary expenditures, as well as harmonization of reports with international financial 
standards.  
2.33.   The Public Finance Management Strategy of the Republic of Taj ikistan for 2009 -2018 and the 
Public Debt Management Strategy for 2018 -2020 have been implemented and the new Strategy on 
Public Finance Management for 2020 -2030 has been developed.  
2.34.   As result of measures taken to improve taxation, a new edition of the Tax Code came into 
force in  2013, reducing the number of taxes from 21 to 10. The Order of the President of the Republic 
of Tajikistan dated 20 June 2019, No. AP -1236, mandates the development of a new draft of the 
Tax Code of the Republic of Tajikistan by an inter -ministerial working group, to be finalized and 
approved by 2021, with the purpose of continuing reforms improving the tax system.  
2.35.   A number of industries, including poultry, fisheries and livestock, securities market entities, 
as well  as existing enterprises engaged in a complete range of cotton fibre processing (final) are 
receiving tax and duties privileges.   
2.36.   Reform of the fiscal system by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan over recent years 
has allowed for improvements in social and economic development indicators while at the same time 
increasing the inflow of funds to the state budget.  
2.37.   As a result, state budget revenues in 2013 -2019 increased from 12.3 billion somoni to 
23.2 billion somoni, and expenditure from 11.6 bill ion somoni to 23.7 billion somoni. The budget 
deficit remained at 0.5% of GDP.  
Chart 2.3 The volume of revenues and expenditures of the state budget 2013 -2019  
 
Source:  Ministry of Economic Development and Tr ade of the Republic of Tajikistan ( www.medt.tj ) 
2.4  Investment and Privatization Policy  
2.38.   The Government of the country has identified the improvement of the investment and 
business climate as one of its economic policy priorit ies. It has made significant reforms in the areas 
of simplification of the licensing and permits system, the registration of entrepreneurial activities, 
the reduction of inspections and inspection coverage, and the establishment of public -private 
partnersh ips and privatization.  
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  2.39.   The Consultative Council under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on improvement of 
the investment climate, a high -level policy dialogue platform between the state and the private 
sector, was established with the involvement  of government authorities, domestic and foreign 
entrepreneurs and development partners. Under this platform, effective activities for strengthening 
the sector's reforms are ongoing.  
2.40.   For the first time in the history of the Republic of Tajikistan, followi ng appropriate reforms, 
the country was assigned sovereign credit ratings by international rating agencies, including 
Standard & Poors and Moody's.  
2.41.   The number of permits has been reduced from 605 to 75 and the number of licenses from 
100 to 73. The number of inspections has been reduced from 23 to 19. Moratoriums were announced 
twice on all types of inspections of production entities. Over the last three years, the number of 
inspections has decreased by a factor of 6.  
2.42.   A new framework for public -private part nerships has been established by the Law of the 
Republic of Tajikistan "On Public -Private Partnership", involving the Public -Private Partnership 
Council and the State Enterprise "Center for Implementation of Public -Private Partnership Projects". 
To date, f ive public -private partnership investment projects totalling  55.1 million somoni have been 
implemented in the areas of energy, transport, health, education and drinking water supply.  
2.43.   According to the World Bank Doing Business Report Tajikistan was included  in the list of the 
top ten reformers of the world four times, in 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2020. In the Doing Business 
Report -2020, Tajikistan improved its position by 20 ranks. Tajikistan's position improved  mainly due 
to changes in  a number of indicators, in cluding the Starting a Business indicator (rising by 24 ranks), 
Getting Electricity (rising by 10 ranks), Registering Property (rising by 14 ranks), Getting Credit 
(rising by 113 ranks) and Trading Across Borders (rising by 7 ranks).  
2.44.   A new edition of the L aw of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Investment" has been adopted with 
a view to provide equality of treatment under the law for domestic and foreign investors.  
2.45.   New manufacturing enterprises were also exempted from corporate tax for a period of 
2-5 years, depending on the amount of investment.  
2.46.   At the same time, in order to attract foreign capital and develop the securities market, stock 
exchange operations have also been exempted from taxation.  
2.47.   To develop economic and social opportunities, present products , connect business partners 
and foreign investors, an Interactive Business to Business Portal (B2B) has been established under 
the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management. These business entities 
effectively use the services of the Int eractive Business to Business Portal (B2B).  
2.48.   The resolutions of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on the "Action Plan for 300 
Days of Reforms " and the "Action Plan on Improvement of Tajikistan's Indicators in the World Bank 
Doing Business Report " were adopted in 2018 and 2019. The measures identified in these plans, 
including 32 measures  to improve the business climate and 70 to improve investment, are currently 
being implemented.  
2.49.   With regards to privatization, a total of 1034 facilities, i ncluding 354 of republican property 
and 680 of communal property were sold in the Republic of Tajikistan between 2013 and 2018. Of 
these, 54 entities of republican property were carried through investment tenders and individual 
privatization projects.  
2.50.   In the year 2019, 57 entities were sold, including 23 of republican property and 34 of 
communal property. Of these, 10 entities of republican property passed through investment tenders 
and individual privatization projects.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  2.51.   From 2013 to 1 January 2020, 48 join t-stock companies (of which the State owns a share of 
their authorized capital) have been established as state -owned enterprises.  
2.52.   On 1 January 2020, the State owned 100% of the shares of 111 joint stock companies and 
between 5% and 98% of the shares of 24 joint -stock companies. The State also participated in the 
shares of 3 limited liability companies.  
2.53.   As a result of above -mentioned reforms, the contribution of the private sector to GDP 
increased from 54% to 70%.  
2.54.   The contribution of the private sector to  the state budget revenues was significant, amounting 
to 80%. More than 70% of the economically active population is working in private sector.  
2.55.   The total volume of foreign investment in 2013 -2019 (9 months) was USD 5.9 billion , of which 
USD 2.5 billion wer e direct investment, USD 2.9 billion were attracted loans by enterprises and 
organizations and USD 502 million were portfolio investments (Eurobonds).  
2.56.   During this period 70.7 billion somoni were invested into fixed capital.  
2.5   Industry  
2.57.   In the industrial sect or important measures were implemented with the aim of increasing 
production volumes, to improve the supply of manufacturing goods and promote the well -being of 
the population.  
2.58.   A rapid industrialization was announced as the fourth national strategic goal and a Program 
of Rapid Industrialization of the country for 2020 -2025 was developed. An Industrial Development 
Strategy (covering the period until 2030), as well as sectoral development programs in the fields of 
metallurgy (for the period up to 2025), food  (for 2020 -2025) and carpeting (2014 -2020) have all 
been developed and are being implemented.  
2.59.   Those programs will contribute to greater output in the volume of products, increasing 
competitiveness, stimulating businesses creation and employment and solving  the social tasks of 
the country, transforming the economy from one centered around the extraction of raw materials to 
one which produces final products.  
2.60.   Necessary measures have been taken to streamline the corporate management of industrial 
enterprises, t o provide healthy competition and to ensure transparency in reporting by industrial 
enterprises.  
2.61.   An appropriate reform to bring regulatory measures in the industrial sector into line with WTO 
requirements is the "Program of adjustment of the economy of the  country related to the 
membership in the WTO ", which is described in Chapter 3 of this report.  
2.62.   Successful implementation of the reform  enforced the volume of output of  industrial products 
in the last 7 years to increase by a factor of 3.3 (from 9.9 billio n somoni in 2013 to 27.5 billion 
somoni in 2019), the number of enterprises to  grow by 19% (from 1804 enterprises in 2013 to 2164 
in 2019), and the sector's contribution to GDP to  raise by 4.8 percentage points (from 12.6% in 
2013 to 17.4% in 2019).  
2.63.   Over the past 7 years, a list of key industrial products widened by 147 items (from 102 in 
2013 to 249 items in 2019).  
2.64.   In 2019, 219 new industrial enterprises and factories with 2942 new jobs were created and 
began operations in the country.  
2.65.   According to foreca sts the share of industry in GDP will reach 30% by 2030.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  2.6  Agriculture  
2.66.   Agriculture is one of the prioritized sectors of the national economy and  plays a major role in 
achieving the strategic goal of  ensuring  food security, providing the population with acce ss to quality 
products and creating new jobs.  
2.67.   In agriculture, the necessary measures have been taken to increase and diversify production 
through the establishment of sowing, production of competitive and profitable export -oriented 
products, expansion of t he area under vegetable crops, and the creation of high -quality gardens and 
vineyards.  
2.68.   A number of documents that are important for the development of agriculture in the country 
have been adopted and are being implemented, including the Agricultural Reform  Program of the 
Republic of Tajikistan for 2012 -2020, the Program for the Development of Horticulture and 
Viticulture for 2016 -2020,  the Program for the Development of Seed Production covering the period 
2016-2020, and the Program for the development of th e Livestock sector in the Republic of Tajikistan 
for 2018 -2022.  
2.69.   Reforms in the sector led to an increase in the volume of production of agricultural products 
from 20.4 to 27.7 billion somoni over the last 7 years.  In 2019 the growth rate of agricultural 
production reached 7.1%, of which crop production 7,8% and of livestock sector 5.7%.  
2.70.   As of January 1, 2020, gardens and vineyards were built on a territory of 2945 hectares and 
out of it 2747 hectares were new gardens, 195 hectares were vineyards and 3.2 hec tares were 
mulberry.  
2.7  Energy  
2.71.   More than 60% of the water resources in Central Asia are  originated  in the Republic of 
Tajikistan, which is a great opportunity for the development of green energy. Currently, about 98% 
of electricity is generated by hydroelectric power stations, and according to studies by international 
financial institutions, Tajikistan is ranked 6th in green energy production. The country has a huge 
hydro -energy potential of 527 billion kWh, but only uses about 6% of it.  
2.72.   In order to  achieve the country's strategic goal of ensuring energy independence and energy 
saving, the Government has made effective reforms to strengthen institutions within the energy 
sector, in particular through the restructuring OJSH "Barqi Tojik ", the introduc tion of billing systems, 
the construction of new infrastructure,  the reconstruction of existing infrastructure and the provision 
of financial reports in accordance with international financial reporting standards and energy saving.  
2.73.   In particular, separate structures for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity 
were established, to ensure effective management of OJSH "Barqi Tojik ", the main power utility 
company in the country. At the same time, to improve energy supply, prevent energy losses  and 
reduce energy consumption, and with the support of development partners, a pilot billing system 
has been introduced in one of the most densely populated cities in the country and work has begun 
to replicate this system in other large cities in the cou ntry. 
2.74.   To improve  electricity supply to the industrial sector and the population and to export 
surpluses, large hydropower facilities (such as Rogun, Sangtuda -1 and Sangtuda -2), power and 
heating centers, small power plants, high voltage transmission lines and high voltage substations 
were constructed and commissioned and the reconstructions of Nurek HPP (3000 MW), Sarband HPP 
(245 MW) and Qairoqum HPP (126 MW) are underway.  
2.75.   It should be noted that Rogun HPP with a capacity of 3,600 MW, a height of 335 meters, with 
a rock -filled dam and underground infrastructure, is a unique project in the world. Two units of 
Rogun hydropower plant were officially launched on 16 November 2018 and 9 September 2019, with 
the participation of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, the President of 
the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  2.76.   Implementation of the CASA -1000 Regional Power Transmission Project, which involves 
transmission of electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakist an, has started 
with the support of development partners.  
2.77.   As a result, over the past 7 years, generating capacity has increased by more than 800 MW 
and the output of electricity generation has grown from 16 billion kW/H to 21 billion kW/H or by 
1.3 times.  
2.78.   The percentage of collection of payments for electricity in the city which use billing system 
went up from 70 -100% . 
2.8  Transport  
2.79.   One of the main strategic goal of the Government of Tajikistan is to exit from the 
communication deadlock and develop the country 's transit potential.  
2.80.   In order to achieve this goal, the "Program for the Development of the Transport Complex of 
the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2025 " was adopted and significant reforms were made 
in the areas of construction and reconstru ction of transport infrastructure, including roads, transport 
corridors, bridges, access to modern information and communication services.  
2.81.   A new edition of the Transport Code of the Republic of Tajikistan was adopted, the Program 
on the Development of Tran sport Services for 2020 -2021 was developed and the Supplementary 
protocol to the Convention on international road shipment was approved.  
2.82.   Within the framework of public investment projects and funds allocated for capital 
construction, 813 km of roads, 1 tun nel of 5 km length, 80 highways of 2978 meters length, 41 km 
of railroads, 3 railway tunnels of 3643 meters length and 5 railway bridges of 582 meters length 
totalling  USD 496 million were constructed and commissioned.  
2.83.   At the expense of non -state funds, 14 50 km of republican and local roads and 108 bridges 
were constructed or reconstructed.  
2.84.    11 investment projects of total value of more than 8.5 billion somoni have been implemented 
to achieve the goals and priorities of the sector.  
2.85.   As result of the measure s that have been taken, indicators of freight and passenger 
transportation improved, and in 2019 reached 82 million tons and 613 million passengers 
respectively.  As compared to 2013, cargo transportation raised by 13.4% and passenger 
transportation by 12.4 %. 
2.9  Telecommunications  
2.86.   Communications are one of the most important sectors of the national economy and  special 
attention is given to its development each year.  
2.87.   Therefore, over the past 7 years, the Republic of Tajikistan has taken the necessary steps in 
the areas of construction and modernization of information and communication technology 
infrastructure, institutional strengthening, improvement of service quality and development of the 
digital economy.  
2.88.   The Concept of digital economy was approved by the Gov ernment of the Republic of Tajikistan 
and a respective Program is in the process of being developed.  
2.89.   A fibre-optic communication lines with high -speed connections to urban and district centers 
were established in the country.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  2.90.   A high -speed  highway of fibre–optic lines has been built and commissioned using DWDM 
technology, which also provides back -up access channels to the Internet.  
2.91.   During establishment  of fibre-optic communication lines, the possibility of their connection 
with all neighbouring  countries, in  the north -west with Uzbekistan, in the south with Afghanistan, in 
the north -east with Kyrgyzstan, and in the east with the People's Republic of China was envisaged.  
2.92.   Currently, businesses that operate in the field of telecommunications consist of 128 entit ies, 
including 4 mobile operators, 1 local operator and 7 Internet providers.  
2.93.   It should be noted that the number of  subscribers of mobile network services in the republic 
reached 7 million or 74% of the population, of whom 4.8 million are active subscriber s. 
2.94.   The total number of subscribers of local communication services has reached 365 thousand 
people, of whom 84 thousand people are active.  
2.95.   The number of Internet users with mobile and local internet together reached 3 million people.  
2.10  Tourism  
2.96.   The Republic of Tajikistan with its ancient history, rich culture, historical monuments,  
incomparable nature, high mountains with peaks of 7495m above sea level, pure waters, rare lakes 
such as Lake Sarez and Fedchenko Glacier, environmentally friendly climate , fresh fruits and 
vegetables, rare species such as the Marco Polo sheep, the snow leopard and the musk ox, has great 
potential for tourism. Therefore, the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, 
President of the Republic of Tajikistan,  His Excellency Emomali Rahmon declared the years 2019 -
2021 as the "Years of Rural Development, Tourism and Folk Crafts".  
2.97.   In order to make better use of these unique opportunities in the field of tourism, the 
Government has implemented a number of signific ant reforms in the areas of institutional 
strengthening, construction and reconstruction of tourism infrastructure, training of tourism industry 
specialists, simplification of travel permits, tax and customs privileges and improvement of tourism 
statistics . 
2.98.   In particular, the Committee on Tourism Development was established as the authorized state 
body for the promotion of state policy in the tourism sector. The Tourism Development Strategy in 
the Republic of Tajikistan for the Period to 2030 and the Touris m Development Program in the 
Republic of Tajikistan for 2018 -2020 are being implemented.  
2.99.   Imports of equipment, machinery and building materials for the construction of tourism 
infrastructure have been exempted from VAT and customs duties.  
2.100.   Electronic visa i ssuance for tourists was simplified, an e -visa system and a visa -free regime 
have been introduced for 57 foreign countries.  
2.101.   In August 2019, for the first time, the Forum of International Tourism Fair "Tajikistan - 2019" 
took place in Dushanbe city.  
2.102.   As a result of the reforms implemented in the last 7 years, the number of tourists visiting 
the Republic of Tajikistan increased from 207 thousand to 1.3 million per year, or 6.3 times. The 
number of  internal tourists (citizen s of the country) visiting historic and cultural sites, therapeutic 
areas, sanatoriums and resorts has reached 1.9 million.  
2.103.   The direct share of tourism in GDP had increased from 1,4% to 2,2%.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  2.104.   The number of tourism service providers had raised to 282 and to urism companies to 202.  
2.105.   In 2019 , only 56 tourist facilities were constructed and construction of another 37 units is 
underway.  
2.106.   According to the World Travel and Tourism Council Tajikistan is included in the list of 10 
most attractive countries for tourists , the top ten countries for tourist destinations and in 2016, the 
Pamir Highway of Tajikistan was recognized as one of the 10 most beautiful roads in the world. In 
2015-2016, four regions of Tajikistan were ranked among the 100 best tourism regions of the world 
and the World Tourism Organization in 2016 considered Tajikistan as the second country in the world 
developing tourism.  
2.107.   According to the estimates of the World Tourism Organization in 2018, Tajikistan ranked 
number one in the world in increasing the total number of tourists. Tajikistan's e -visa system has 
also joined the top five global visa systems. According to the US GALLUP survey Tajikistan ranked 
second safest country in the world after Singapore.  
2.108.   According to forecasts of the development of the  country's economy, the share of tourism 
in GDP of the country should reach 5% and bring an indirect contribution to the development of 
other sectors of the economy to about 15%. This year, foreign citizens who have the right to a 
simplified procedure for a visa will be issued multiple tourist visas which will be extended up to 
60 days. For the purpose of facilitating the travel of foreign compatriots who were born in Tajikistan, 
a 3 year multi visa will be issued.  
3  TRADE POLICY  
3.1  Trade in Goods  
3.1.  Within the fra mework of strategic documents and sectoral programs, the priority areas of trade 
are identified as stimulating exports, ensuring the diversification of export -oriented industries and 
simplifying trade procedures.  
3.2.  In order to implement the above priorities,  support for domestic production, ensuring 
competitiveness, strengthening the export potential of the country and adjusting its legal base to 
modern requirements, a number of measures had been taken during the 2013 -2019.  
3.3.  In particular, new rates of import customs duties of the Republic of Tajikistan and a new edition 
of the Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity of the Republic of Tajikistan were 
adopted.  
3.4.  Export Promotion Institutions including the Export Agency, the Coordination Committee on 
Facilitation of Trade Procedures, and the National Information Centers on Technical Barriers to Trade 
and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures were established.  
3.5.  The State Program on Export Promotion for 2016 -2020 was approved and necessary measures 
are being  taken.  
3.6.  As a result of measures taken in the last seven years, the share of exports in total foreign trade 
increased from 20% to 26%, and the share of imports decreased from 80% to 74%.  
3.7.  In 2019, the foreign trade turnover was USD 4524 million and has incre ased by 7.1% as 
compared with the previous year. Exports of goods amounted to USD 1175 million , an increase of 
USD 101 million or 9.4% compared to the previous year. Imports equalled  to USD 3349 million, an 
increase of USD 200 million or 6.3% compared to t he previous year. The trade balance was negative 
and amounted to USD 2175 million.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  Chart 3.1 Foreign Trade Turnover for 2015 -2019  
 
Source:  Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan ( www.medt.tj ) 
3.8.  The number of countries that are trade partners of the Republic of Tajikistan increased  from 
90 to 116.  
3.9.  The structure of the country's exports consisted of minerals and concentrates (25.3%), 
precious and semi -precious metals (19.2%), primary aluminum (14.7%), cotton fibre (12%), 
electricity (8%), cement (5.8%) and other products.  
3.10.   The structure of the country 's imports consisted of food products (21.5%), oil products 
(11.6%), vehicles (9%), technological equipment (7.6%), ferrous metals (6.7%), liquid gas (6.1%), 
machinery and equipment (5.1%), wood and its products (3.8%), alumina (3.2%), polymeric 
products, plastic (3.1%), products of ferrous metals (2%) and others.  
3.11.   The main trading partners of the Republic of Tajikistan are Russia (23.3%), Kazakhstan 
(21.2%), China (14.6%), Turkey (8.3%), Uzbekistan (8%), Switzerland, (5.2%), Germany (1.7%), 
Japan (1.5%), Ir an (1.4%), Pakistan (1.2%), Kyrgyzstan (1.2%), Italy (1%).  
WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  Chart 3.2 Export and Import Structure, in 2019  
Share in %  
 
Source:  Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan ( www.medt.tj ) 
3.2  Customs Procedures  
3.12.   With a view to bring ing the current legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan into conformity 
with the WTO TFA and to implement the obligations of the country notified in category "A", the 
Customs  Code of the Republic of Tajikistan was amended.  
3.13.   To simplify trading procedures and reduce shipping and transit costs, an Action Plan on 
reducing time and cost incurred by foreign participants in economic activities such as the export, 
import and transit o f goods was adopted by the Government. The Customs Service under the 
Government of the Republic of Tajikistan was identified as the national coordinating body with regard 
to transit operations.  
3.14.   In order to boost the volume of exports of agricultural produc ts and preferential export of 
perishable products, an Agreement on Simplified Customs Procedures for the Shipment of Goods 
and Vehicles between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Russian Federation or Green Corridor was 
signed between the Customs Service o f Tajikistan and the Federal Customs Service of the Russian 
Federation.  
3.15.   On 9 March 2018, an Agreement on the Establishment of Simplified Customs Procedures for 
the Shipment of Goods and Vehicles between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of 
Uzbeki stan or Green Corridor was signed between the Customs Service of Tajikistan and the State 
Customs Committee of Uzbekistan.  
3.16.   Also, a Protocol on mutual recognition of the results of customs control with respect to certain 
types of goods (agricultural product s) was signed between the Customs Service of Tajikistan and 
the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation.  
3.17.   In addition, a Protocol was signed between the Republic of Tajikistan and the People's Republic 
of China to facilitate transfer of agricultur al products through the Qulma -Qarasu Border Crossing.  
3.2.1   Establishment of single window mechanism  
3.18.   Based on the instruction of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, 
the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali R ahmon and based on the 
identified priority of the Government to simplify trade procedures, a pilot version of the Single 
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  Window for simplifying export, import and transit operations in the Republic of Tajikistan was 
launched on 8 November 2019 in Dushanbe city.  
3.19.   The Single Window is being implemented with the support of the Asian Development Bank 
under the regional project of the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation on Improvement of 
the Border Services Activities of the Customs Service.  
3.20.   The main purpose for the introduction of the Single Window for simplifying export, import and 
transit operations is the simplification of trade procedures, the elimination of administrative barriers, 
enhancing transparency, reducing of the time and cost of com panies engaged in foreign economic 
activity, the  implementation of modern information technology and the increase of foreign trade 
turnover and development of respective spheres of the economy.  
3.21.   According to the plan, after the end of the pilot period, the Single Window for simplifying 
export, import and transit operations will be put into a full -fledged operation in 2020, involving all 
government entities, which are engaged in tariff and non -tariff regulations of foreign economic 
activity.  
3.3  Tariffs Regulation  
3.22.   In order to fulfil its commitments under the WTO, Tajikistan has made substantial reforms in 
tariff regulation, including the approval of the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of 
Tajikistan on "Rates of import customs duties " accordin g to which the average rate of import duties 
is 8.1%.  
3.23.   In accordance with paragraph 2 of this Resolution, the free trade regime and zero import 
customs duty rates shall apply with respect to the imported goods which originate in countries – 
parties based on  free trade agreements with Tajikistan.  
3.24.   Also, in accordance with paragraph 4 of this Resolution preferences are given to imports of 
goods originating from least developed countries and in such cases the established import duty 
amounted to only 50% from the  regular level.  
3.25.   Export duties on goods, including processed and unprocessed leather, cocoon, silk waste, 
cotton fibre, waste and scrap of ferrous metals, were applied in accordance with the Resolution of 
the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan "On ex port duty ". 
3.4  Implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement  
3.26.   The Republic of Tajikistan fully complies with the WTO requirements. For this purpose, the 
Program of adjustment of the economy of the Republic of Tajikistan related to the membership in 
the WTO was adopted by the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and  is being 
successfully implemented. To date, out of 75 planned measures, 52 (68%) have been implemented 
and the remaining measures are in the process of implementation d ue to the continuation of their 
deadline.  
3.27.   On 2 July 2019, the WTO Secretariat officially accepted notification by Republic of Tajikistan 
on Ratification of the Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO.  
3.28.   For the purpose of implementati on of point 2 of Article 23 of the WTO TFA, the Coordinating 
Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures was established by the decision of the Government 
of the Republic of Tajikistan as a platform for resolution of trade problems and consisting from 
representatives of relevant ministries and agencies, development partners and private sector.  
3.29.   During 2017 -2019 Committee held regularly meetings and took appropriate decisions on 
export development, simplification of trade procedures, lower costs of export, import and transit 
procedures reduction of the number of documents involved and the time of clearance of export -
import operations at customs checkpoints.  
3.30.   In relation to the implementation of decisions of the Committee 8 Inter -ministerial working 
groups on export support, improvement of tariff and non -tariff foreign trade instruments to support WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  domestic producers, simplification of transportation and transit, Single window for registration of 
export -import operations and increasing competitiveness, establish ment of the wholesale and 
distribution centre  for exports of goods to the Russian Federation and creation of green corridors 
with the aim to increase exports of manufacturing and agricultural products were established.  
3.31.   The Permanent Secretariat of the Coor dination Committee for Trade Simplification was 
established and notifications on commitments of A, B and C categories were submitted to the WTO.  
3.32.   In addition, with the aim of timely and qualitative execution of instructions of the Founder of 
Peace and Nati onal Unity - Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His 
Excellency Emomali Rahmon a Trade Portal of Tajikistan was officially launched on 26 April 2019.  
3.33.   The portal provides information on 53 export, import and transit procedures  (20 – for exported 
products and 30 – for imported products and 3 for transit products) equivalent  to 1500 products, 
such as confectionery, chocolate, eggs, fertilizers, flowers, flour, furniture, cement, dried fruit, cotton 
thread, imported fresh fruits, vegetables, clothes, honey and other products.  
3.34.   It also provides information on import / export permits, charges for obtaining licenses, photos 
of responsible persons, and contact numbers of officers dealing with imports and exports.  
3.35.   It should be noted that  the Trade Portal of Tajikistan is the first practical experience in foreign 
trade promotion in Tajikistan and among other countries of Central Asia and in 2019 the United 
Nations evaluated this portal as the best model in the region.  
3.5  Technical Barriers to  Trade  
3.36.   In order to eliminate non -conforming and excessive technical barriers to trade, the laws of 
the Republic of Tajikistan "On Technical Regulation ", "On Standardization " in new edition and the 
Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On conformity assessment " were developed and adopted.  
3.37.   Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Conformity Assessment " regulates legal and 
organizational relationships in the field of conformity assessment of products with requirements of 
technical regulations and documents in the fi eld of standardization and provides a unified state policy 
system for conformity assessment.  
3.38.   To ensure compliance with the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan on Conformity Assessment, 
State institution "National accreditation Center " was established.  
3.39.   In or der to reduce the number of mandatory technical documents (provisional technical 
regulations), the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Amendments to the 
Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan "On approval of the l ist of standard technical 
documents " was adopted.   
3.40.   In accordance with this Resolution, 110 compulsory normative technical documents 
(temporary technical regulations) were excluded from the list of existing normative and technical 
documents. In addition, by  the Decree of the Government  of Tajikistan issued in 2016,  the list of 
technical regulations was reduced by one third.  
3.41.   For the purpose of streamlining the process of verification, registration and cancellation of 
adopted regulations the Resolution of the  Government of Tajikistan on "Procedure for development, 
approval, state registration, inspection, revision, modification, repeal, use, official publication of 
technical regulations, including technical regulations related to defense products, notification  and 
publication of information" was adopted.   
3.6  Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
3.42.   To fulfil obligations under the WTO Coordination Council on Food Safety at the Agency 
"Tajikstandard " and the National Information Center for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures under 
the Ministry of Agriculture were established .  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  3.43.   In order to improve the quality of food products a Food Safety Program for 2019 -2023 was 
adopted to ensure implementation of epizootic -veterinary and sanitation requirements.  
3.44.   A National Center for Food Safety Examination of the Committee on Food Security  has 
necessary equipment in accordance with relevant international standards.  
3.45.   There are 17 modern testing laboratories meeting international standards in operation.  
3.46.   Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On  Licensing System " was adopted.  
3.47.   The Health Code of the Republic of Tajikistan was adopted with the aim to implement the 
requirements of the WTO SPS Agreement . 
3.48.   Also, the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Quarantine and Plant Protection " was 
developed.  
3.7  Free Economic Zones (FEZ)  
3.49.   In order t o develop country 's economic and social potential, to establish necessary conditions 
for attraction of investments, creation of new jobs, the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Free 
Economic Zones " was developed and adopted.  
3.50.   Five FEZ (Panj, Sughd, Dangh ara, Ishkoshim and Kulob) were established in the Republic of 
Tajikistan . 
3.51.   In accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan, entities of free economic zones, 
regardless of ownership, are exempted from paying all taxes, except a social tax an d a personal 
income tax.  
3.52.   Currently, totally 75 domestic and foreign companies are registered in the Free Economic 
Zones of Tajikistan, including 29 in "Sughd ", 25 in "Danghara ", 16 in "Panj", and 5 in "Ishkoshim ". 
3.53.   Of the period 2013 -2019 FEZ invested 1.9 b illion somoni and produced 712 million somoni.  
3.54.   In 2019 those zones produced goods worth 201 million somoni and invested 146 million 
somoni. At present, there are 1122 employees working in  free economic zones.  
3.8  Government Procurement  
3.55.   In order to ensure tran sparency in the use of budgetary funds, create equal conditions for 
bidders with the support of World Bank 's Institutional Development Foundation grant 
"Implementation and development of electronic procurement potential " a Single Portal on 
Government Procurement of the Republic of Tajikistan was improved and was put into operation 
from 2018. It should be noted that the new system on electronic procurement was developed in 
accordance with the modern standard - Open Contrac ting Data Standard.  
3.56.   In 2014 Republic of Tajikistan became an observer to the WTO 's Government Procurement 
Agreement and after its initial offer submission conducts bilateral and multilateral negotiations with 
parties to   this Agreement, taking into account  national interests.  
3.57.   The draft Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Government Procurement " (new edition) was 
developed and is under consideration.  
3.9  Competition and Antimonopoly Policy  
3.58.   The state competition and antimonopoly policy are set up in the Republ ic of Tajikistan by a 
number of laws and other normative legal acts, which aim at protection of free competition i.a. 
through elimination of prohibitions on the activities of enterprises.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  3.59.   The Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Protection of Competition " was developed in order 
to create antimonopoly legislation, achieve it compliance with legislation and practices of developed 
countries, and improve implementation of the legislation taking into account the state interests and 
the level of social and econo mic development of the country.  
3.60.   The Anti -Monopoly Service monitors state of competition and transparency, consumer 
protection and takes measures in case of identification of barriers in accordance with the current 
legislation.  
3.61.   Therefore, in order to provid e a legal basis for the introduction of state regulation of the prices 
for consumer goods and services, as well as for governments control  on the increase of prices for 
consumer goods and services, which negatively affects the socio -economic level of the v ulnerable 
population Anti -monopoly Service  developed and approved Regulation on procedure for 
establishment and application of free prices and tariffs on industrial and technical products, 
consumer goods and services.  
3.62.   The Agreement on cooperation in the f ield of information sharing and joint promotion of 
antimonopoly policy in the form of Memorandum of Understanding between the Antimonopoly 
Services of Tajikistan, and antimonopoly bodies of the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and 
Uzbekistan was signed.  
3.10  Intellectual Property Protection  
3.63.   The Republic of Tajikistan is party to 5 conventions and 3 International Treaties in the field of 
copyright protection.  
3.64.   In order to protect rights of  blind people and people with the eyesight problems and with the 
aim to bring copyright legislation in line with  international normative legal acts,  Decree of the 
Government of the Republic of Tajikistan "On accession of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Marrakesh 
Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or 
Otherwise Print Disabled " was adopted and approved.  
3.65.   A National Intellectual Property Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 
2014-2020 was prepared and approved.  
3.66.   For the purpose of providing an effective imple mentation of the Strategy, a National Council 
on Coordination and Development of the Intellectual Property was established in the Republic of 
Tajikistan.  
3.67.   With respect to alignment of the industrial property legislation with the international legal 
acts, th e Majlisi Namoyandagon of Majlisi Oli (Parliament) of the Republic of Tajikistan ratified the 
Singapore Treaty.  
3.68.   In order to promote electronic communication  in the field of international registration of 
trademarks and servicemarks a Memorandum of Understa nding between the State Institution 
"National Center for Patents and Information" under the Ministry of Economic Development and 
Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property 
Organization regarding elec tronic correspondence under the Madrid System was signed.  
3.69.   Procedure for collection and placement of information in the field of innovative activity and 
objects of intellectual property in the Internet portal of the Innovative Development Program of the 
Republic of Tajikistan for 2011 -2020 and Capacity Development Program for the period up to 2020 
were adopted, and a National Innovation Portal of the Republic of Tajikistan ( www.innovation.tj ) 
was established.  
3.70.   In 2019 , three tobacco trademarks MILANO, MOND and CAVALLO were registered in the 
Customs Register of Intellectual Property of the Customs Service under the Government of the 
Republic of Tajikistan.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  3.71.   Currently, there are 18 trademarks registered in the Customs Re gister of Intellectual Property 
of the Customs Service, which is being updated regularly in the official website of the Customs 
Service (www.customs.tj) and its official magazine "Gumruk ". 
4  BILATERAL AND MULTIL ATERAL TRADE AGREEME NTS 
4.1.  Free trade regime is ba sed on bilateral agreements with Uzbekistan and with Ukraine.  
4.2.  Agreement on Free Trade Area between CIS states was approved by the Resolution of the 
Majlisi Namoyandagon of Majlisi Oli (Parliament) of the Republic of Tajikistan in 2015 and  is 
implemented.  
5  TAJIKISTAN'S PARTICI PATION IN THE WTO  
5.1.  With a view to strengthening foreign economic relations, simplifying trade procedures, 
attracting foreign investments, using trade and economic dispute resolution mechanisms and 
protecting the country's economic intere sts the Republic of Tajikistan is working with WTO as a 
reliable partner.  
5.2.  Following Tajikistan's accession to the WTO, a number of commitments have been implemented 
and other commitments are being implemented in line with timeline.  
5.3.  On 2-5 June 2015 , the Re public of Tajikistan hosted the "Third China Round Table" in 
Dushanbe.  
5.4.  To ensure transparency arising from various WTO agreements, the Republic of Tajikistan has 
so far prepared and submitted to the WTO more than 40 notifications in various areas such as 
intellectual property, technical barriers to trade, import licensing, rules of origin, simplification of 
trade procedures, subsidy and countervailing measures, agriculture, free trade areas, services, etc.  
5.5.  To get better business conditions for the domestic entrepreneurs abroad, the Republic of 
Tajikistan has joined WTO accession working parties of Uzbekistan, Iran, Azerbaijan and Belarus.  
5.6.  The Republic of Tajikistan is a member of Article XII group, and at its informal meetings 
participates in  discussions on various  issues such as  difference between applied and bound rates of 
duties, support of the agricultural sector, obligations in trade in  services, and others.  
5.7.  Also, in December 2017, at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 
along with the other Member States Republic of Tajikistan joined the Investment Facilitation 
Initiative for Development.  
5.8.  More than 452 representatives of ministries and agencies and private sector att ended 
seminars, training courses, distance learning courses and other regional WTO events during 
2013-2019 organized by WTO Secretariat . 
6  A MID -TERM FORECAST OF SOCIAL AND ECONOM IC INDICATORS OF THE  COUNTRY FOR 
2020 -2022  
6.1.  The Mid -term forecast of socio -econo mic indicators for 2020 –2022 was developed and 
approved by the Government taking into account the implementation of the provisions of the 
National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030, the Medium -
Term Development Pro gram of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2016 –2020, state, sectoral and regional 
programs for the socio -economic development of cities and regions, as well as instructions of the 
Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, the President of th e Republic of 
Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon.  
6.2.  In the approved document the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020 is forecasted at 
87.3 billion somoni with an annual growth rate of 7.8%. The forecast of further significant 
development of manufactu ring sector depends on the efficient use of existing production facilities 
and newly created enterprises, as well as the improvement of the aluminum plant and other 
manufacturing enterprises.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  6.3.  It should be noted that in accordance with the provisions of the  National Development Strategy 
of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030, the transition from the agrarian and industrial 
economic development model to the industrial -agrarian economy is expected.  
6.4.  A volume of industrial production in the coun try for 2020 is forecasted at 38 billion somoni 
(real growth by 16.4% compared to 2019) and in 2021 -2022 at 50 billion somoni (real increase by 
15.9%) and 52 billion somoni (the real increase is 15.3%) respectively.  
6.5.  The volume of gross agricultural output in 2020 is expected to be 31.5 billion somoni with 
growth rate of 7%.  
6.6.  For the period from 2021 to 2022 this indicator is estimated at 34.3 billion somoni and 
37.4 billion somoni with real growth of 6.9%.  
6.7.  One of the important factors for the further development of the country's economy and the 
implementation of strategic goals is connected with attraction of more foreign and domestic 
investment into the national economy. Taking into account the favourable  investment climate in the 
country, as well as strengthening cooperation with development partners , the total volume of capital 
investments from all sources of financing in 2020 is forecasted to 16.7 billion somoni, including 
4.2 billion somoni provided from  the state budget.   
6.8.  In 2020, foreign trade turnover is expected to reach USD 4.8 billion and for 2021 –2022, 
USD 5.1 and USD 5.3 billion respectively, with real growth of 6.8% in 2020, 4.8% in 2021 and 4.7% 
in 2022.  
6.9.  In 2020, exports are estimated at USD 1.3 billion (growth rate of 11.7%) and in 2021 -2022 at 
USD 1.4 and USD 1.5 billion respectively.  
6.10.   The volume of imports in 2020 is forecasted at 3.6 billion USD and in 2021 -2022 at USD 3.7 
and USD 3.8 billion respectively.  
6.11.   Achievement of the forecasted macroe conomic indicators for 2020 -2022 would allow ensuring 
sustainable development of economic sectors and improving living standards of population.  
7  NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT  STRATEGY OF THE REP UBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN FOR THE 
PERIOD UP TO 2030  
7.1.  The ultimate goal of Tajik istan's long - term development is to raise standard of living of the 
country's population.  
7.2.  To achieve it, the following strategic goals had been identified for the next 15 years:  
1. Ensuring energy security and efficient use of electricity;  
2. Exit from the communication deadlock and turning the country into a transit hub;  
3. Ensuring food security and access to quality nutrition;  
4. Rapid industrialization of the country;  and 
5. Promotion of productive employment.  
7.3.  The economic policy within the NDS -2030 focuses on reducing the vulnerability of the country's 
economy from potential external risks, finding and developing effective mechanisms and internal 
sources of sustainable economic development, ensuring stable econ omic growth, productive 
employment, sustainable access to energy resources and favourable  business environment.  
7.4.  In this regard, the rational use of human and natural capital, and strengthening institutional 
capacity development towards increased efficienc y, diversification and competitiveness of the 
national economy, would define the future industrial development and provide a transition from 
agrarian -industrial to industrial -agrarian economy.  WT/TPR/G/399 • Tajikistan  
 
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  7.5.  Priorities would be given to ensuring democratic governance, th e rule of law, the protection of 
human rights and empowerment in the country. Strengthening social protection, ensuring access to 
safe food, improving quality of water, sanitation and nutrition, reducing social and gender inequality 
in all of its forms, as  well as environmental sustainability issues, would be considered as important 
directions in the actions of legislative, executive and judicial institutions.  
7.6.  Huge hydropower potential, clean water, favourable  land and climate, flora, significant labour  
resources, rich reserves of mineral resources create opportunities for the development of 
export -oriented industries, the creation of modern sectors of mining and manufacturing, non -ferrous 
and ferrous metallurgy, environmentally friendly agro -industrial com plex.  
7.7.  The rich historical and cultural heritage of Tajikistan, its unique nature with attractive lakes, 
rare animals and plants, as well as high mountains are favourable  conditions for the development of 
tourism and would increase the contribution of this  industry to the GDP of the country.  
7.8.  Further development of hydropower capacity and implementation of regional transport and 
communication projects would allow Tajikistan to become a regional leader in the production and 
transit of cheap and clean energy,  to expand the transit potential of the country.  
7.9.  In order to achieve these strategic goals effective measures are being implemented through 
approved programs and action plans.  
8  IMPORTANCE OF THE FI NANCIAL AND TECHNICA L ASSISTANCE OF INTE RNATIONAL 
ORGANIZATI ONS TO THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN  
8.1.  Tajikistan is a developing country, and foreign support programs remain important instrument 
of facilitation of national development. Because of that the Strategy envisages improvement of 
mechanisms of targeted attraction of foreign assistance to national,  sectoral and regional priorities 
on the basis of expansion and better use of the information system of foreign support management.  
8.2.  As described in the current report, various assistance programs have already contributed to 
substantial improvement of dome stic regulatory system, including customs, veterinary, sanitary 
measures and technical regulations.  
8.3.  Tajikistan is committed to effective use of support in various formats and multiplication of 
assistance results.  
8.4.  In this regard, it is proposed that the WT O Secretariat and other international organizations to 
provide their support to the Republic of Tajikistan in the implementation of investment projects on 
trade facilitation and digital trade, training of personnel engaged in regulation of foreign trade, 
notification procedures, trade negotiations, customs valuation, trade in services, TBT and SPS.  
8.5.  Tajikistan welcomes WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Nur -Sultan in June 2020.  The 
decision of WTO members to hold it in Central Asia is important recogni tion of the regions increased 
role in development of international trade.  The Republic of Tajikistan points out that there is no 
alternative to the WTO as multilateral trade institution and would cooperate with other members to 
improve its key functions in cluding dispute settlement and  develop new areas of implementation of 
rules such as investments.  
 
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