DUSHANBE, July 6, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Why small and medium business development is so weak in Tajikistan?  Why mass media cannot be financially independent? What does joining the WTO mean for Tajik business?  When Tajik television will switch to digital broadcasting and why is it needed for the consumer?  How is the State strategy on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) implemented for the development of Tajikistan?  These and other issues will be discussed at the Regional Conference “Interaction of Mass Media and Business - a Foundation for Economic Development”, which will take place at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex in Dushanbe on July 7-8, 2010, according to Press Offices of Delegation of European Commission in Tajikistan.

The conference is organized by the Public Association Khoma, the National Association of Small and Medium Business of Tajikistan and Internews Europe (France), with the financial support from the European Union and in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan.

The conference is part of the Project, Reinforcing Professionalism and Public Outreach of Tajik Business Intermediary Organizations, funded by the European Union and aimed at the improvement of the business environment in Tajikistan through support to the development of Business Intermediary Organizations and improvement of the business news reporting in local mass media.

Representatives from the Government of Tajikistan, heads of the ministries and state agencies, representatives of the European Union, representatives of Tajik Business Associations and leading mass media of Tajikistan, heads of businesses, representatives of international organizations, experts from Central Asia and Europe are invited to the conference.

Leading experts on the issues of the regional cooperation and foreign investments will speak before the participants. Presentations and discussions on the reforms implemented in Central Asia, the development of ICT in Tajikistan, the Digital TV broadcasting, the technical regulations and standardization, taxation, customs regulations, and Tajikistan’s accession to WTO  are included in  the agenda of the conference.

The aim of the conference is to define basic mechanisms and approaches towards enhancement of the implementation of economic reforms and improvement of the investment climate. Discussion on the interaction between mass media and business as a link between the state and the economic sector will take place.