Concluding remarks by the Chairperson

The first Trade Policy Review of Tajikistan has offered us a good opportunity to deepen our understanding of recent developments in, and challenges to, its trade, economic, and investment policies. Since its accession in 2013, Tajikistan has implemented several initiatives to integrate into the multilateral trading system, and such efforts have been greatly appreciated by Members. The 156 questions submitted by 13 Members underlined their interest in Tajikistan's trade and investment policies and practices.

I would like to thank the delegation of Tajikistan, led by H.E. Mr Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, for its constructive engagement throughout this Review. I would also like to thank the discussant, H.E. Ambassador Taeho Lee of the Republic of Korea for his insightful remarks, and all the delegations that took the floor for their valuable contributions to this Review.

Tajikistan achieved a robust annual GDP growth rate at 6.7% over the review period from 2013 to 2020, with growth slowing to 4.5% in 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members acknowledged Tajikistan's efforts to minimize the negative impacts of the pandemic on the economy through the Anti-crisis Action Plan launched in March 2020, which offers tax and credit relief to vulnerable groups and domestic entrepreneurs. They commended Tajikistan's strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with real GDP growth of 8.7% in the first half of 2021, almost doubling the growth rate in 2020.

Members also noted that Tajikistan's high dependency on commodity exports and remittances makes the economy vulnerable to external shocks. They encouraged Tajikistan to address infrastructure bottlenecks and obstacles in its financial system in order to attract more private investment, diversify and upgrade exports, and create non-farm employment opportunities. It was noted that Tajikistan's export basket has been diversifying, from one being dominated by aluminium and cotton, to one that includes more textiles, cement and mineral products.

Tajikistan was praised for various reform initiatives to streamline business registration procedures, strengthen the land tenure framework, and ease the burden of licensing and inspection. Many Members urged Tajikistan to help clarify FDI‑specific legislation, ease the taxation regime for SMEs, and address discretionary application of licensing, tax, and price regulations. Some Members pointed out that increased FDI inflows into sectors beyond energy and mining could help reinforce the growth of SMEs, as well as increase the private sector's participation in the economy.

Members commended Tajikistan on maintaining a fairly open trade and investment regime, as well as for its unwavering support of the multilateral trading system. Tajikistan signed the Information Technology Agreement upon accession and became an observer to the Committee on Government Procurement in 2014.

In July 2019, Tajikistan ratified the Agreement on Trade Facilitation. Tajikistan also cosponsored, with other Members, the Joint Statement Initiative on Investment Facilitation for Development. Many Members urged Tajikistan to join the JSI on services domestic regulation, which was successfully concluded on 2 December, and the JSIs on e-commerce and on MSMEs. They also encouraged it to join the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions in order to enhance Tajikistan's engagement on environmental issues.

Some Members noted that the pandemic has affected women more than men, and therefore they welcomed Tajikistan's support for the Buenos Aires declaration on Women and Trade, and encouraged continuing engagement on this issue. Some Members urged Tajikistan to submit the outstanding notifications as required under several agreements.

Members congratulated Tajikistan for the progress made in achieving its National Development Strategy 2016-30 goals, which aim to uplift the living standard for its citizens by ensuring energy independence, food security, industrialization, and connectivity.

Members encouraged Tajikistan to make further advances in the implementation of its development strategy. Some Members reminded Tajikistan that the number of SOEs remains considerable, and some SOEs still have market dominance, particularly in the telecommunications, transport, and energy sectors.

Several Members expressed the need to better understand Tajikistan's agricultural trade and tariff policies. Some encouraged Tajikistan to make efforts to attract the capital necessary for the development of its potential in the area of renewable energies, in particular hydroelectric.

These are some of the key issues that emerged in our discussion. I am certain that the delegation of Tajikistan will take into account, and further reflect on, the many constructive comments, both broad and detailed, that it received during this Review.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you who participated in our discussion, and I look forward to receiving the answers to any outstanding or follow up questions within one month, at which point the Review will be successfully concluded.