DUSHANBE, February 7, Asia-Plus  -- IFC (International Finance Corporation) Tajikistan and the Dushanbe weekly Biznes i Politka (Business & Politics) have launched a public campaign to raise awareness of the Central Asia Corporate Governance Project (CACGP) among Tajikistan’s population.  

Vadim Negmatov, public relations officer, IFC Tajikistan, said that the campaign will cover a wide range of readers – managers, members of directors’ boards, shareholders, government institutions, students, media, etc.  

According to him, the monthly insert on corporate governance issues will be published in the newspaper once a month within the framework of the campaign.  

The lack of adequate corporate governance in Central Asia is a serious stumbling block to economic growth.  The Central Asia Corporate Governance Project helps local joint stock companies and banks strengthen their corporate governance practices with a view to improving their operations and increasing their ability to attract investment and financing.  In addition, the project works with policymakers to improve the regulatory framework for corporate governance and increase the region''s overall investment climate and the business-enabling environment.  

The project works directly with joint stock companies and banks to improve their corporate governance practices, through individual consultations for a select group of pilot companies, and seminars and workshops targeting hundreds of companies in Central Asia. The project also works closely with government officials, to provide consultations and assistance on legislative reform related to corporate governance and its enforcement. To educate future managers and policymakers, the project partners with educational institutions to help develop corporate governance-related curricula. To raise awareness among Central Asia’s population and media on corporate governance issues, the project also conducts a national public education campaign.