Tajikistan

Tajikistan is considered one of the most ancient states in the world. It is called the heart of Central Asia, because it is located in its very center. Tourists are attracted to this country by high mountains, beautiful nature, medieval cities, sights, as well as ancient traditions and customs that have been preserved intact in secluded corners of the country since ancient times.

General information

The official name of the state is the Republic of Tajikistan. The capital is located in the city of Dushanbe. The total area of Tajikistan is 143,100 square kilometers, and the total length of the state border is 3,651 kilometers. The state language is Tajik. At the same time, Tajikistan is the only Persian-speaking state in the former Soviet Central Asia. The majority of the population of Tajikistan professes Sunni Islam, but the country is considered multi-religious. Representatives of various religious denominations, including Christians, coexist well on its territory.

Russians do not need a visa to get into the heart of ancient Asia. The local population is warmly welcomed. Here you can often hear Russian speech. The national currency is somoni. The largest cities of Tajikistan are Dushanbe, Khujand, Bokhtar, Kulyab. At the moment, the population of the whole country is 10 million people.

History, geography, culture, mentality

The first state formations that existed on the territory of modern Tajikistan were Bactria and Sogdiana, which appeared even before the beginning of our era.

As the centralized power in the Arab Caliphate weakened, the actual rule in the regions passed into the hands of local rulers. The most striking trace in the history of Tajikistan was left by the Samanid dynasty, which managed to unite vast territories from the Syr Darya to southwestern Iran under its rule. The conquest of vast territories of Central Asia by the Turkic people — the Uzbeks led to the formation of independent khanates — Kokand and Bukhara, which existed until the 19th century, when this region was annexed to the Russian Empire. During this period of history, almost all of southern Tajikistan was under the rule of the Bukhara Khanate.

In the mid-20s of the last century, the Bolshevik government began the territorial division of Central Asia along ethnic lines, as a result of which several republics were created as part of the USSR, which included Tajikistan. The beginning of a new stage in the development of the history of Tajikistan is associated with the collapse of the USSR. On August 24, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic adopted a declaration on the state sovereignty of Tajikistan, and in November the elections of a new head of state were held.

Tajikistan borders on Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in the west and north. The eastern neighbor is China. And in the south, the state border separates Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The country has no access to the sea.

In the north of Tajikistan, in the Sughd region, there is one of the world's largest silver deposits — Big Konimansur. Tajikistan is also rich in deposits of precious stones, uranium, gold, coal, aluminum and polymetallic ores. Almost the entire territory of Tajikistan is occupied by mountains. Moreover, more than 50% of the country is located at an altitude of over 3 thousand meters above sea level. Tajikistan has a fairly developed transport system, represented by rail, road and air transport. More than 90% of transportation across the country falls on motor vehicles. The road network of Tajikistan is unevenly distributed throughout the country. The lack of direct access to the sea in Tajikistan made it important to have a developed air service in the country. Today, international and domestic flights are carried out by the state airline Tajikistan Airlines.

The artistic culture of the Tajik people has been formed and developed since ancient times on the territory of Central Asia and modern Afghanistan. It is closely connected with the culture of other peoples, especially the Iranians. On the territory of modern Tajikistan, cultural monuments have been preserved, which are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tajiks sacredly honor their national traditions and pass them on from generation to generation. Tajiks still (especially in villages) wear national clothes. Men prefer embroidered robes and hats, while women prefer embroidered dresses with trousers and headscarves. Girls, according to tradition, should have 40 braids. Tajiks celebrate all Muslim religious holidays, as well as two public holidays — Independence Day of Tajikistan and Memorial Day.

A distinctive feature of the Tajik mentality is collectivism. In this society, it plays a positive role, as it makes the people united, united, solidary, strengthens family relations. Tolerance is another characteristic feature of the Tajik mentality. People here have a lot of patience with what is contrary to their point of view, position, ideology, worldview, etc.

It is believed that the main source of Tajik tolerance is the Islamic religion, which educates a person in a spirit of respect for the opinions and positions of others. A patient attitude in Tajik society is one of the strongest factors of sustainability, stability, and order, starting with family relations and ending with socio-political ones. But the most important value of the Tatar mentality is family relationships. A guest for a Tajik is always a pleasant procedure for his acceptance and pleasant chores and responsibilities.

Power

According to the current Constitution of 1994, Tajikistan is a parliamentary republic headed by the President. The bicameral parliament in Tajikistan is called Majlisi Oli, it consists of the House of Representatives (63 deputies) and the National Council (33 people).

The government of the republic consists of the Prime Minister, his first deputy and deputies, ministers, chairmen of state committees. The government provides effective management of the functioning of the economy, social and spiritual spheres, the implementation of laws, decisions of the Majlisi Oli. Majlisi Oli — the Parliament of the Republic of Tajikistan — is the highest representative and legislative body of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The main political parties in Tajikistan are the People's Democratic Party, the Communist Party of Tajikistan, the Socialist Party and the Agrarian Party.

Economy

Tajikistan is an agro-industrial country with a large hydropower potential, large deposits of mineral resources and a large tourism potential. Mountain and ecological tourism is developing in the republic.

The main sector of the economy remains the state. The state controls most of the large industrial enterprises. In the raw material sector, the economy of Tajikistan is based on the cultivation of cotton and grain, mining, chemical, cotton, metallurgical, machine-building industries, and energy. The development of the extractive industry is hampered by the mountainous terrain and the lack of a developed transport infrastructure.

Every year up to 1.5 million people leave Tajikistan as labor migrants. They go to work in Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey.

Import of the republic exceeds export by 42.4%: the country's balance of payments is negative. In the future, the situation should change in a favorable direction: the export of electricity from new HPPs will provide an inflow of income and an increase in the country's GDP. Tajikistan trades with the CIS countries, the Netherlands, Turkey, Iran, China, India, etc.

Recently, network technologies have become very popular in Tajikistan. About ten providers provide Internet services. It is worth noting that not the whole country has the opportunity to join the worldwide network. Only 12 major cities can provide you with Internet access.

Business climate

In recent years, business in Tajikistan began to develop rapidly. Tajikistan is one of the countries of the former USSR, which has untouched natural resources, which opens up huge prospects for foreign investment.

The parliament of the republic revised a number of legislative projects in favor of simplified documentary registration of companies and enterprises. Many types of industry can be developed in Tajikistan, from textile to mining.

The untouched nature of Tajikistan attracts numerous ecotourists from all over the world. Such interest in the country's natural resources requires the development of tourism infrastructure. This is another direction for foreign investment, which will bring huge profits to its owners.

Investment climate

Favorable conditions have been created in the Republic of Tajikistan for attracting foreign investment, supporting market structures and developing the commercial, financial and banking system.

A huge step has been taken towards deepening economic reforms, reconstructing the national economy, strengthening and developing international relations and deep integration into the world economy.

Foreign trade, pricing and foreign exchange operations have been liberalized. There is a universal commodity exchange and an interbank foreign exchange market.

Since 2013, Tajikistan has been a member of the World Trade Organization.

Business and investment support structures

There are many organizations in Tajikistan to support and attract investment.

SUE "Tajinvest"

Tajinvest under the State Committee for Investments and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan helps young and experienced projects to attract investments and finds partners to promote goods and services. The organization operates the Business Portal, the first nationwide platform for entrepreneurs and investors. He provides legal support, as well as support in the field of taxation and doing business in general.

Accelerate Prosperity

A new global initiative of the Aga Khan Organization for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Central and South Asia. Since 2016, Accelerate Prosperity has been supporting entrepreneurs through business modeling, coaching, business networking, investment readiness testing, seed and long-term financing to help grow businesses. Works in regions with emerging economic opportunities: Tajikistan, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. The average investment in a project is from $10,000 to $50,000.

Accelerator "Entrepreneur 2030"

National Social Investment Fund of Tajikistan. An independent structure for poverty reduction in the Republic of Tajikistan has been operating since 1997. Regional offices are located in the cities of Dushanbe, Khujand, Khorog, Kurgan-Tube, Kulyab and Rasht region. The Foundation provides technical, consulting and practical assistance to private and non-governmental organizations in the creation and development of community projects. Successful projects receive microcredit. Financing is received by those projects that will be aimed at improving living standards.

"Business Incubator of Tajikistan"

The project was created by the government of Tajikistan at the end of 2018. The goal is to support start-ups and the development of small and medium-sized businesses through information support, consultations, training, financial and legal advice. The organization regularly holds a startup competition, during which finished products are sold.