DUSHANBE, June 11, 2012, Asia-Plus – A roundtable on implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is taking place in Dushanbe on Tuesday.

According to the Tajik Branch of the Open Society Institute/Assistance Foundation (OSI/AF-Tajikistan), the meeting is expected to bring together representatives from public institutions, civil society and companies working in the mining industry to discuss experience of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in promoting the EITI.

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI, is the widely-accepted international framework for strengthening transparency and accountability in the extractives sector.  It was launched in 2002, and is currently implemented in 35 countries across the globe.  It is unique in terms of bringing together representatives from three different groups - private sector, civil society and Government - to work together, through the verification and full publication of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas, and mining.

Experts consider that adherence to and implementation of EITI is crucial for Tajikistan’s economic and social development.  Recent mining reforms and mineral discoveries are likely to significantly expand the extractive sector in Tajikistan.  Yet, these resources are not renewable and therefore need to be managed very carefully.  In this context, EITI will bring many benefits to Tajikistan: an improved investment climate, a signal to international investors that the government has a clear commitment to transparency and good governance, and strengthened accountability vis-à-vis the people of Tajikistan.
In order to formally be accepted as an “EITI candidate” country, Tajikistan will have to fulfill a number of requirements, including a formal public announcement, a firm commitment to working with the civil society, establishment of a Multistakeholder group, appointment of an “EITI Champion” to pilot the initiative, and publication of a workplan.