DUSHANBE. June 2. “Asia-Plus” -- Today, June 2, after long debates deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of Tajikistan have approved introduction of new amendments into the Tax Code of the country proposed by the government.

Presenting the amendments and changes to the Tajik Tax Code, Chairman of the Tajik Tax Committee under the government of Tajikistan Nusratullo Davlatov noted that the amendments will let Tajikistan introduce solid royalty fees for the use of natural resources.

“Currently, we charge royalty fees for the use of natural resources at minimum or maximum rate and this takes us and our taxpayers too much time,” he said. “Furthermore, introduction of solid royalty fees will let the country’s budget receive additional 8-10mln Somoni a year.”

Leader of the Islamic Renaissance party of Tajikistan Muhiddin Kabiri noted that no foreign investments were observed in processing industry in the first quarter this year. “Approval of the amendments into Tax Code may cause barriers in the given direction and, therefore, I suggest to send the draft law for further consideration,” Kabiri has said.

Leader of the Communist party of Tajikistan, deputy Shodi Shabdolov agreed with Kabiri and expressed bewilderment over such low royalty fees for production of metals and precious stones.

Asking questions of deputies top Tajik tax official said that Tajikistan is behind other countries of region and Russia in terms of royalty fees.

“In addition, in the frameworks of EurAsEC we are obliged to charge the same royalty fees for the use of natural resources as other member states are charging,” he said.