It is difficult to obtain reliable and detailed information about Tajik companies. U.S. companies wishing to establish a presence in Tajikistan are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe for guidance. The U.S. Embassy website is located at: http://dushanbe.usembassy.gov/. It is strongly advised that interested U.S. companies retain legal counsel to assist with the business registration process. The U.S. Embassy economic section can provide contact information for international and Tajik consulting companies that offer professional legal advice on business registration, licensing, and business operations in Tajikistan.
The first step in setting up an office is to establish a legal presence. Tajik law provides three options for establishing a legal presence: (i) a representative office, (ii) a branch office, and/or (iii) a legal entity established under the laws of Tajikistan.
A representative office may perform informational and liaison functions of the company. It can open a bank account, rent an office, and provide visa support, but it cannot engage in trade and commercial activities.
Branch offices maintain a close connection with the parent company. Branch offices may perform any function, including representational functions. Representative and branch offices are not separate legal entities; therefore, the parent company may be held liable.
The new law, “State Registration of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs,” signed by President Rahmon on March 26, 2010, establishes a relatively simplified state registration process for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities including foreign businesses.
The U.S. Embassy recommends that businesses solicit experienced and well-established legal counsel when registering a company.
Official registration of a legal entity is organized through the Tax Committee at the Government of Tajikistan. The Department of “State Registration of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs” is responsible for Single Window state registration. More information can be found on the website of the Tax Committee of the Government of Tajikistan: www.andoz.tj