National Financial Inclusion Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022-2026

On September 20, 2022, in Dushanbe, the ceremony of launching the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022-2026 has taken place. Assistant to President of the Republic of Tajikistan for Economic Affairs Nematullo Hikmatullozoda, Chairman of National Bank of Tajikistan Hokim Kholiqzoda, Deputy Chairman of National Bank of Tajikistan Gulbahor Naziri, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan Muzaffar Ashuriyon, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan Fayziddin Kahhorzoda, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan Rahim Saidzoda, Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan Shirin Amonzoda, representatives of the World Bank Group/International Finance Corporation Ms. Cassandra Colbert, Senior Regional Manager for Central Asia and Ms. Salome Staib, Director and Advisor of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Tajikistan and other stakeholders have attended the meeting. 

This strategy was developed and approved by the National Bank of Tajikistan on the basis of legislative norms and principles, international standards, analysis of financial coverage and prospects for its further development in agreement with relevant ministries and agencies and partners.

The Chairman of National Bank of Tajikistan, Hokim Kholiqzoda has opened the event and stated that the National Bank of Tajikistan aims to ensure the stability of banking system, to improve the financial literacy of population in the direction of using modern banking services, and thereby contribute to the development of national economy and financial inclusion of population and took necessary measures and developed the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022-2026, which was approved by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated from July 1, 2022, No. 314.

"It is gratifying that the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan (NFIS) is one of the main priorities in the policy of the Founder of National Peace and Unity, Leader of Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon and Government of the country in the direction of creating new jobs and supporting the development of national economy and long-term sustainable progress, which guarantees the population of the country a set of various and high-quality modern financial services, sound knowledge, stability in making financial decisions and thereby improving the wellbeing of the population," has noted the Chairman of National Bank of Tajikistan, Hokim Kholiqzoda. 

Assistant to President of the Republic of Tajikistan for Economic Affairs, Nematullo Hikmatullozoda, during his speech, has noted that financial inclusion and literacy is one of the priority areas of the state's financial policy, and the effective implementation of this Strategy will expand the economic opportunities of entrepreneurs and other economic entities, and ensures a favorable basis for development of national economy. Nematullo Hikmatullozoda thanked the International Financial Corporation (IFC), Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) for their support in the development and approval of this important document for the Republic of Tajikistan.

At the opening ceremony of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022-2026 the partners - Senior Regional Manager for Central Asia Ms. Cassandra Colbert, Adviser-Consul of the Swiss Cooperation Office, Ms. Salome Staib have expressed their congratulations on the approval of such an important document for Tajikistan: "More access to financial services means a better standard of living, better business and investment opportunities, and protects the social and economic interests of the people." 

The official presentation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022-2026 was made by the Deputy Chairman of National Bank of Tajikistan, Gulbahor Naziri, who informed the audience about the key aspects, goals, indicators, actions, deadline and management structure of this strategy. During the presentation, Gulbahar Naziri has explained in detail the main directions of the strategy, including delivery networks and digital financial services, diversity of financial products, protection of rights of financial services consumers and financial literacy. In particular, it was noted that the rights and opportunities of women, youth and the elderly were also taken into account during the preparation of this document. 

The meeting continued with panel discussions and sessions, in which the issues of implementation and introduction of management mechanisms, action plan, monitoring and evaluation system, coordination mechanism, information on the implementation of National Financial Inclusion Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022-2026 by the heads of responsible ministries and agencies, Head of the International Financial Corporation Office in the Republic of Tajikistan, Farrukh Sultanov, Practice Manager, Investment Climate Advisory Services and Strategy & Operations, Macroeconomics, Trade & Investment Ms. Dalia Khalifa, representatives of National Bank of Tajikistan and partners were discussed. It should be noted that within the framework of the opening ceremony of the Strategy, working teams with the involvement of stakeholders discuss further action plans with participation of international experts for two days. 

It is worth noting that the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022-2026 was developed by the National Bank of Tajikistan with the Technical Assistance of the World Bank Group/International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies, providers of financial services, representatives of the private sector, scientists and civil society. This strategy is in cooperation with and taking into account the proposals of the ministries of justice, finance, economic development and trade, labor, migration and employment, education and science, the State Investment and State Property Management Committee of the Republic of Tajikistan, television and radio committees, Tax, Work with women. and family Committee under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Statistical Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Communications and Customs Services under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, and consists of 6 chapters, 21 paragraphs, 133 items, a table of indicators, key indicators and an action plan for implementation (67 actions).

Press Division