DUSHANBE, March 12, 2009, Asia-Plus  - A new association, The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), has begun functioning in Tajikistan. 

Director of the Representative Office of Tethys Tajikistan Limited Nazir Sharipov, who heads this association, told Asia-Plus that AmCham was dedicated to contribute to the development of private enterprise in Tajikistan.  AmCham Tajikistan will also act as an advocacy group on behalf of local and foreign businesses, pushing to improve Tajikistani legislation to guarantee the development of the free market. In addition, it will help Tajikistan attract new foreign investment.

According to Sharipov, the association is dedicated to help promote foreign direct investment into the country and it will be an independent platform for discussions between the representatives of business in Tajikistan on current problems that they experience.

“The association will assist promotion and development of business communities in the country, coordinate their actions, represent and protect their interests, cooperate with various bodies, associations and civil society in improving Tajikistan’s legislation, investment climate and business environment in the country,” said Sharipov.  “We plan to hold the general assembly of members of the association in the near future to determine short-term and long-term tasks in this direction.”

All legal entities in Tajikistan and outside it that share AmChan’s views and desire for improvement of business climate in the country may join the association according to him.

Registered with the Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan on November 11, 2008, AmCham Tajikistan is part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce network, the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions.  It includes hundreds of associations, thousands of local chambers, and more than 100 American Chambers of Commerce in 91 countries.

AmCham Tajikistan was established with participation of a number of domestic and foreign companies active in the country.  Among them are open joint-stock company (OJSC) Orienbonk, Tethys Tajikistan Limited, OJSC Somon-Capital, Hyatt Regency Dushanbe Hotel, Comsup Commodities, Aiten Group Consulting, Talco (Tajik Aluminum Company), and Pragma Corporation.

The Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA), with the support of U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), played a major role in establishing the association.