The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe supported the Government of Tajikistan in launching Tajikistan’s Trade Portal in Dushanbe last week, which helps to intensify and increase access to trade information and comply with the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.
The launch ceremony brought together 120 representatives from government institutions, the private sector, diplomatic representations, and international organizations.
This initiative was implemented by Tajikistan’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, with the technical assistance of the International Trade Centre, UNCTAD the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, UNDP and the OSCE.
“With this initiative, the OSCE continues to support the Government of Tajikistan to increase trade opportunities for inclusive national and regional economic growth and development, and to create an enabling environment for digital innovation aimed at improving transparency and accountability and mitigating security risks,” said Filippo Crivellaro, Head of the Economic and Environmental Department at the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.
Tajikistan’s Trade Portal is an online platform aimed at facilitating trade and investment operations for foreign and domestic representatives of the private sector. The electronic tool allows publishing detailed online information on trade and investment procedures in the country. Procedures are described step-by-step and show all contacts (authorities), forms, requirements, costs, duration, ways of recourse and the legal basis.
Producing a single portal containing all trade regulations and procedures will save businesses time and operational costs, especially for traders and enterprises involved in the import, export and transit sectors.
Tajikistan became a member of the World Trade Organization in March 2013 and has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement in May 2015, which is aimed at facilitating trade by simplification of transport movement procedures, reduction of costs and time for release and clearance of goods in cross-border trade.
