DUSHANBE, July 31, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan is making resolute steps towards development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and attraction of foreign investments in the country’s economy, Mr. Masaru Honma, Director of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for Central Asia, told reporters in Dushanbe on July 31, following the meeting of the Consultative Council for Improvement of Investment Climate in Tajikistan. 

According to him, Tajik president’s decree on announcement of a two-year moratorium on inspection of SMEs promotes further development of SMEs and attraction of foreign investments in Tajikistan’s economy.  

“Today, representatives of Tajik small ad medium businesses were included in the Consultative Council along with representatives of the government and it makes us glad,” Mr. Honma said.  

Head of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises of Tajikistan, Ms. Matlouba Uljaboyeva, who also attended the meeting, said that they place great hopes on the Consultative Council.  “Constructive dialogue has started between the business community and the government,” Uljaboyeva said, adding that she is the first representative of Tajik entrepreneurs included in the council.  

She also expressed hope that the moratorium will promote improvement of the procedure of registration of new legal entities and the customs clearance procedures.