On 19 July 2022, the Economic Crime and Cooperation Division presented and discussed the results of an analysis of the legal framework of the Republic of Tajikistan in relation to safeguards and procedures aiming to protect the rights of entrepreneurs and provide pre-trial and conflict resolution mechanisms.

Findings and recommendations of the legal review were discussed by focusing on the ways of improving the legal framework that would enable businesses operating in the Republic of Tajikistan to seek access to justice and resolve unfair treatment and abuses (malpractices) from public authorities in a pre-trial context. Having reviewed compliance of the administrative appeal procedure in Tajikistan with international standards, the Council of Europe expert also concentrated on a set of recommendations aimed at improving existing legal framework governing administrative appeal and its procedures. The issue of considering the establishment of a Business Ombudsman Institution as a specialised alternative dispute resolution mechanism was among issues of interest. Hands-on comparative experience was presented and discussed.

More than 20 representatives of the Tax Committee, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, State Committee on Investments and State Property Management, National Association of Small and Medium Business, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies of the Republic of Tajikistan participated and contributed to the discussions. The participants were motivated to receive valuable advice on improving the national legislation and requested more support on the subject matter for the future.

The roundtable was organised within the framework of the Action “Promoting Transparency and Action against Economic Crime in Central Asia”, which is implemented as part of the “Central Asia Rule of Law Programme 2020-2023”, a joint initiative co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.