2007年-世界发展银行全球_Republic_of_Tajikistan___Private_Sector_Development_Strategy_88页_3mb

Republic of Tajikistan Private Sector Development Strategy Summary

Core Content

The Republic of Tajikistan Private Sector Development (PSD) Strategy is a comprehensive document prepared by the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of Tajikistan and the Donor Coordination Council (DCC). It outlines a roadmap for improving the investment climate, enhancing the business environment, and fostering private sector growth as a key driver of economic development and poverty reduction.

The strategy emphasizes the importance of a well-functioning competitive environment, which is essential for attracting investment, creating jobs, and reducing poverty. It identifies three main challenges: risk, barriers to entry, and cost of dealing with government, which are the primary impediments to private sector development in Tajikistan.

Main Views and Key Points

1. Risk Reduction for Entrepreneurs and Investors

• Property Rights Security:

  • The constitution guarantees protection against expropriation, but in practice, property rights are not secure.
  • The Government needs to implement laws and regulations to prevent arbitrary seizure and ensure modern, accessible property registration systems.

• Contract Enforcement:

  • A robust judicial system is essential for enforcing contracts.
  • Short-term measures include improving judicial efficiency and transparency, separating commercial from criminal cases, and introducing alternative dispute resolution.

• License Renewal and Transparency:

  • Short-term licenses and opaque renewal processes increase business risk.
  • Legislative changes are needed to remove restrictions on license duration and ensure transparency in the process.

• Access to Information:

  • Businesses need clear and accessible information on laws and regulations.
  • The Government should enforce public announcement laws and simplify access through databases and websites.

2. Removing Barriers to Entry

• Licensing Regime:

  • Tajikistan has reduced the number of licenses from 32 types and 1,000 subtypes to 65.
  • The process is still complex, costly, and time-consuming, requiring further simplification.

• Business Registration:

  • Registration procedures are currently cumbersome, involving at least five state institutions and 12 steps.
  • A "single window" approach with standardized forms and reduced procedures is recommended.

• Government Targets:

  • Reduce license duration to at least five years.
  • Reduce the number of procedures to under 10.
  • Reduce the cost of registration to under 50% of per capita GDP.
  • Reduce the number of days to obtain a license to under 100.
  • Improve the ease of starting a business ranking to under 30.

3. Reducing Cost and Improving the Business Environment

• Legal Recourse:

  • Businesses need effective mechanisms to appeal or challenge government decisions.
  • The Government should establish an administrative council for small cases and an ombudsman's office for large cases.

• Tax System Simplification:

  • A complex tax system encourages evasion and informal economic activity.
  • Simplifying the tax code and reducing the number of taxes can increase tax compliance and revenue.

• Inspection Reform:

  • Current inspection practices are arbitrary and inefficient.
  • The Government should reduce the number of inspections to no more than two per year.

• Product Standards and Certification:

  • Compulsory certification imposes unnecessary costs on SMEs.
  • The objective is to reduce the number of goods requiring import/export certification by 75%.

• Customs Clearance:

  • Customs delays reduce export volumes.
  • Electronic filing and tariff band reduction are recommended to streamline the process.

• Access to Credit:

  • Strengthening mortgage and collateral laws, and establishing a credit information system, will improve access to finance for enterprises.

• Business Exit:

  • Efficient and equitable bankruptcy procedures are necessary to allow less productive firms to exit the market.
  • Short-term actions include amending bankruptcy laws and providing training to judges. Long-term, bankruptcy courts or sections should be established.

4. Supporting Private Sector Growth

• Productivity and Human Capacity Development:

  • Once the investment climate is improved, the Government should focus on enhancing productivity and human capacity.
  • This includes facilitating access to markets, improving transport and communications, and supporting enterprise services.

• Education and Training:

  • A well-trained workforce is essential for private sector growth.
  • The Government should invest in education and training programs to align with business needs.

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):

  • While natural resources are available for export, the strategy advocates for a broader approach to FDI, targeting diverse sectors.
  • Institutional support and a stable investment climate are critical for attracting FDI.

5. Institutional Arrangements

• Steering Committee:

  • A high-level committee will oversee the implementation of the strategy.

• PSD Strategy Implementation Agency:

  • A dedicated agency will be responsible for executing the strategy.

• Monitoring and Evaluation Panel (MEP):

  • The MEP will track progress and provide feedback on the effectiveness of reforms.

Key Information

• The strategy is part of the Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).
• It is aligned with donor programs and supported by the Donor Coordination Council (DCC).
• The World Bank and other institutions have contributed to the development of the strategy.
• The strategy is structured into short-term (up to 3 years), medium-term (up to 6 years), and long-term (up to 9 years) phases.
• The primary focus in the short term is on reducing risk, removing entry barriers, and lowering costs.
• In the medium term, the focus shifts to further cost reduction and improving the business environment.
• In the long term, the Government is encouraged to support productivity and human capacity development.

Conclusion

The PSD Strategy aims to create a more stable, transparent, and efficient business environment in Tajikistan, which is crucial for attracting investment, promoting entrepreneurship, and driving economic growth. It outlines specific actions and targets for the Government to achieve these goals, emphasizing the need for institutional reforms, legal modernization, and administrative streamlining. The strategy is intended to serve as a guide for the Government and donor community to work together in fostering sustainable private sector development.