5. Tajikistan

Tajikistan would benefit from easier availability of trade-related information and advance rulings

Since 2017, Tajikistan has made the greatest relative improvement in Central Asia. It has made progress especially in the areas of fees and charges, trade community involvement, streamlining of processes and simplification of documentation requirements (Figure 5.1). It performs well compared to regional peers on governance and impartiality, fees and charges, and the streamlining of trade processes and documentation, though advance rulings, appeals procedures and information availability challenge Tajikistan’s TFI performance. Its trade facilitation efforts are in line with those of other lower middle-income economies.

Figure 5.1. Tajikistan’s trade facilitation performance since 2017

Note: 2 is the maximum score. Central Asia includes information for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Legend: A - Information availability, B - Involvement of the trade community, C - Advance rulings, D - Appeal procedures, E - Fees and charges, F - Documents, G - Automation, H - Procedures, I - Internal border agency co-operation, J - External border agency co-operation, K - Governance and impartiality.

Source: OECD TFIs database.

Tajikistan has made important progress along dimensions related to its Single Window. Similar to Kyrgyzstan, Ready4Trade’s Info Trade Portal showcases advancements in predictability and transparency (Box 5.1). This is accompanied by gradual improvements in pre-arrival processing, information availability, online feedback mechanisms, transparency-boosting measures, streamlined government processes (i.e., acceptance of copies instead of originals), international standards usage, use of electronic payment systems, and electronic data interchange. The authorities have improved and simplified procedures for the inspection and storage of perishable goods and a separate clearance release process for both perishable and manufactured goods – especially important, as Tajikistan imports over 50% of its agricultural products (World Bank, 2022[1]).

Tajikistan has taken gradual steps to strengthen inter-agency mechanisms in support of domestic border agency co-operation. These include the development of inter-agency collaboration mechanisms, regular meetings to develop strategies and oversee the implementation of border agency co-operation, significant efforts in the co-ordination of data requirements, documentary controls, and inspections, increased co-ordination of computer systems for the exchange of data, and shared infrastructure and equipment use at border posts. National legislation now allows for cross-border co-operation, co-ordination, exchange of information and mutual assistance with border authorities in neighbouring economies and other trading partners.

Despite improvements on many dimensions, Tajikistan remains below the Central Asian average overall. Its automation, information availability, and advance rulings require the most urgent action. It has made few advancements in the automation and digitalisation of border processes, in particular. Appeal procedures and border agency co-operation continue to be challenging, with limited progress observed since 2017. Tajikistan’s advance rulings are insufficiently disseminated, thereby hampering uptake among traders. It could also do better in publishing more comprehensive information online on trade-related legislation (i.e., ensuring publication in advance covers all trade-related regulations, comprehensiveness of user manuals, operation and timelines of enquiry points, etc.). Partially as a result, the UNECE is working with Tajikistan on developing its National Trade Facilitation Roadmap 2019-2024 to pursue a time-bound vision, goals and prioritised activities (UNECE, 2021[5]).

The government should provide more accessible trade information, streamline appeals procedures, and establish continuous improvement systems

Tajikistan’s TFI scores indicate that its information availability is deficient compared to regional peers. Among the TFI indicators, information availability has one of the greatest impacts on exports of middle and low-income countries (World Bank Group, 2018[6]). Publication and availability of information on clearance for exporting and importing were ranked first as issues faced by SMEs, while large firms appear to be more concerned with issues relating to transparency of controls and inspections. Tajikistan has increased the availability and user-friendliness of export- and import-related information that traders need across a wide range of areas, but more can be done to make the material and appeals procedures more comprehensive and accessible. For instance, the government could look at how France has created a digitalised single contact point for trade questions and centralised customs-related information (Box 5.2). The government should publish all trade-related legislation and regulations online on customs and other border agencies' websites and rewrite user manuals. The authorities can enhance the comprehensiveness of user manuals and ensure their inclusion on the Single Window and relevant websites. The implementation of trade information portals and the publication of plain language guides to requirements – a focus of early support – is particularly important to enable SMEs to comply with border agency requirements (with which they typically have much less experience than larger firms, and fewer resources to investigate) and to take advantage of release simplifications. Moreover, research indicates that these improvements are a potential catalyst for e-commerce (OECD, 2019[7]).

Appeal procedures emerge as another challenge for Tajikistan, so further efforts are warranted to improve the operation of the advance rulings and appeal procedures systems. The operation and timelines of enquiry points, awareness-raising efforts on advance rulings systems and appeal procedures processes and outcomes, and a focus on avoidance of undue delays would all improve predictability, transparency, and trade activities. Agencies should intensify the dissemination of information to traders and stakeholders on the advance rulings systems and further their efforts to improve the transparency of appeal procedures and outcomes.

To continue advancing consistent and efficient customs and border procedures, Tajikistan could consider expanding the acceptance of copies and simplify requirements that are unduly time-consuming or costly for traders. It should map out requirements to ensure import and export procedures allow for electronic processing and it should gradually introduce and expand digital pre-arrival submission of information and processing. Like the rest of Central Asia, Tajikistan should look to introduce an automated risk management system and continue implementing and expanding the AO programme. Its Single Window should integrate interconnected or shared computer systems and real-time availability of pertinent data among domestic agencies.

Notes