DUSHANBE, February 17, 2009, Asia-Plus -- The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Tajikistan) was presented in Dushanbe on February 12, press release issued by AmCham Tajikistan today said.

The presentation ceremony was attended by more than 70 representatives of foreign and local business community, international organizations active in the country, and diplomatic missions of the United States, France, Germany and Great Britain.

Speaking at the inaugurating ceremony, the US Ambassador to Tajikistan, Ms. Tracey Ann Jacobson, pointed out the significance of establishment of the AmCham Tajikistan and expressed hope that it would contribute to development of Tajikistan through providing assistance with improving investment climate in the country and attracting foreign companies.    

According to the AmCham Tajikistan Executive Director Temur Rahimov, the main tasks of the association are in protecting interests of business, actively participating in lawmaking activity, providing platform for dialogue, rendering assistance to its members with removing unfounded obstacles in the way of their development, attracting foreign investments and providing opportune business information.

In the near future, AmCham Tajikistan will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce network, the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. It includes hundreds of associations, thousands of local chambers, and more than 100 American Chambers of Commerce in 91 countries.

We will recall that AmCham Tajikistan was registered with the Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan in November 2008.  The Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA), with the support of U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), played a major role in establishing the association, which is dedicated to contribute to the development of private enterprise in Tajikistan.

The EFCA, together with its partners and the local business community, hopes that AmCham Tajikistan will be a useful vehicle through which new companies will be able to cooperate with established investors as well as the government to ensure the development of private business in Tajikistan.  It will also act as an advocacy group on behalf of local and foreign businesses, pushing to improve Tajikistani legislation to guarantee the development of the free market. In addition, it will help Tajikistan attract new foreign investment.

Businesspeople see AmCham Tajikistan as a platform for discussions with the government on issues vital to the development of private enterprise in Tajikistan.