DUSHANBE, December 16, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- There are three main factors that impede development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tajikistan, Ms. Wendy Werner, IFC Country Officer for Tajikistan, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to her, one of such factors is high tax rates.  It is necessary to reduce tax burdens on entrepreneurs, Ms. Werner noted.

The other top challenges for SMEs in the country are shortage of electricity for development of enterprises and access to finance.

Besides, in order to resolve issues related to customs, taxes, licenses, and other administrative procedures the small and medium enterprises are paying up to 12 percent of sales informally to public officials and it turns out that corruption is also one of main factors impeding development of entrepreneurship in Tajikistan, IFC country officer noted.