OREANDA-NEWS. On 21 July 2008 was announced, that IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, begins its third survey of the business environment in Tajikistan in July. This follows up on surveys in 2003 and 2006, covering small and medium enterprises’ experiences with registration, permits, licensing, inspections, taxation, finance, and trade. The national survey of the entire country will cover a sample size of about 1,500, including individual entrepreneurs and representatives from small and medium enterprises and dehkan farms. IFC will analyze the data and issue a comprehensive report to the government and the general public in early 2009.

“The previous survey reports presented the government with a number of recommendations for improving the investment climate.  Based on these an inspections law was adopted that simplifies inspection procedures. Amendments to the tax code also included our recommendations and simplified the process of paying taxes,” said Parvina Rahimova, IFC Analyst.

The results of the survey will help the government measure progress in its efforts to improve the environment for small and medium enterprises. As in the previous two reports, the 2008 survey will include recommendations for further improvements to the business climate that will support entrepreneurial development in the country.

This project is supported with funds from the Swiss government. The previous surveys are available in English, Russian, and Tajik. To download, visit www.ifc.org/tajikistan/sme.