Overview

Much of the Tajik business environment is based on personal relationships and establishing a sound reputation among potential partners, clients, and consumers is necessary. 

Any U.S. company will need to conduct market research to identify opportunities and possible Tajik business partners.  It can be helpful for U.S. companies to network with American companies already present in the Tajik market.  The American Chamber of Commerce in Tajikistan, based in Dushanbe, can also provide helpful information.

Due to a weak banking and financial system and ongoing international sanctions against Iranian companies and banks operating in Tajikistan, as well as U.S. sanctions against Russian companies and individuals, potential U.S. exporters should be careful when selecting financial institutions, use letters of credit, and other secure financing mechanism in transactions with their Tajik counterparts.  Currency fluctuations may require U.S. exporters to adjust prices on short notice. 

The official state language of Tajikistan is the Tajik language (close to Farsi and Dari).  The Russian language remains the language of business and is constitutionally the language of international communication.  English and Chinese languages (Mandarin) are gaining popularity.  

Trade Promotion and Advertising

For domestic promotional and advertising campaigns, the Law on Advertising requires the use of Tajik language in an advertisement’s content.  All promotional materials should be translated into Tajik language and/or Russian language before approaching a Tajik company.  The choice of Tajik or Russian will depend on the type of product and the target audience.  Finding a reliable and trustworthy local partner known in the business community will substantially ease interactions with regulators and help a U.S. company to understand local consumer customs and behavior.

Pricing

Exporters should consider taxes and duties in pricing their goods.  Fees and tax rates vary as to the type, quality, and quantity of imported goods.  Some goods and industries enjoy tax and customs exemptions, but most imported goods are relatively more expensive than domestically produced equivalents.  Rates of import customs duties and excise taxes are set by Presidential decrees, Government resolutions, Customs Code, and Tax Code. The current VAT rate is between 13% to 18% for different types of products and services.

Sales Service/Customer Support

Customer services and support are not generally considered to be of high quality, though a businessperson may have reasonable expectations regarding customer support and sales service.  Many small-scale companies with insufficient financial resources cannot provide sales support at appropriate levels.  Some larger businesses in the telecom and banking sectors have built customer support centers.  Companies intending to sell equipment and services in Tajikistan are advised to set up a local service office to address customer support.  Training of local technical staff in providing professional service is critical, as is maintaining an adequate supply of spare parts and supplies required for servicing customer equipment.  

Local Professional Services

List of audit organizations registered with National Bank of Tajikistan: https://nbt.tj/en/banking_system/audit_list.php

Law firm: http://nmlaw.tj/

Law firm: https://aaa.tj/

Principal Business Associations

U.S.- Tajik Chamber of Commerce:  https://amcham.tj/

Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services

There are no formal legal limitations on selling U.S. products and services in Tajikistan.  Official limits on foreign ownership remain in industries