State Committee on Investment and State Property Management, Committee on Tourism Development under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Local Executive Authority of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Association of Entrepreneurs and Mountain Farmers “Milal Inter” together with organizations of the Aga Khan Foundation in Tajikistan and other development partners conduct the next International Investment Forum “Pamir Invest 2019” on August 6–7, 2019 in the city of Khorog, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.  

          The forum is designed to promote the attraction of domestic and foreign investments in the development of business, primarily tourism and its infrastructure, the establishment of trade and economic relations with neighboring regions, far and near foreign countries, the acceleration of the implementation of the socio-economic development programs of GBAO, the effective use of existing opportunities and natural resources. resources of the Badakhshan region. The forum can give a significant impetus to cooperation between local, domestic and foreign companies and increase the level of entrepreneurs' readiness for dialogue and cooperation with investors, as well as create new opportunities for greater involvement of young people and women in entrepreneurial activities. 

        The Forum envisages the participation of domestic and foreign investors and donors, leaders and representatives of ministries and departments of the Republic of Tajikistan and international organizations. Businessmen of the region have the opportunity to present well-designed business projects - concepts to the guests.
        On the territory of the region there are rich mineral deposits, numerous thermal and medical sources. The unique mountain landscape contributes to the development of various types of local and international tourism. The bridges built on the Panj River make it possible to establish trade and economic ties and develop tourist routes to the border areas of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The international Kulma checkpoint between Tajikistan and the PRC is working steadily.
        With the international status of the Kulma-Kara Suu checkpoint, favorable conditions are provided for the transfer of tourists from the territory of the PRC and Pakistan to Tajikistan. The existing conditions, combined with the accelerated construction of modern highways across the GBAO, improvement of the investment climate in the Republic of Tajikistan, open up new opportunities for the development of natural resources, in particular the use of mineral resources, the development of tourism, the use of the region for transit traffic, etc.

Summary of the previous Pamir Invest Forums
       Since 2011, 4 forums have been held, in which about 600 people took part, including more than 100 investors and donors from 20 countries. Among them were leaders and representatives of states, international organizations, public organizations, investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives of the media. By incomplete calculations, as a result of the establishment of cooperation between local and foreign participants of the Forum, in GBAO more than 5 million US dollars were attracted, various industries were created, and a contribution was made to the development of the social sphere.

         Along with Government organizations and departments, the organization of the Forum was greatly contributed by international organizations, primarily the Dushanbe Office of OSCE, organizations of the Aga Khan Foundation in Tajikistan, GIZ Tajikistan projects, some PRC and US investors.

Recommendations of the participants of the Khorog "Pamir-Invest" Forum 2017
15-16 September  2017
Participants of the Investment Forum:

• analyzing the results and progress of the previous forums
• discussing in plenary meetings and sections the state of the investment climate in the country and the region and the potential of the region and its entrepreneurs, as well as the interests of investors
• envisaging the possibility of implementing the program of social and economic development of GBAO until 2020 and attracting investment in the implementation of the projects envisaged as well as the development of the Ishkoshim free economic zone

Recommendations
Considering the importance of attracting investment in the development of Gorniy Badakhshan, it is advisable to turn the Pamirinvest investment forum into a permanent business platform to discuss issues related to attracting and making effective use of investments, organizing and maintaining contacts between entrepreneurs and potential investors, facilitating the development of business plans and investment projects. The forum is held annually in August.
At the level of local and central authorities to draw attention to the shortcomings in creating appropriate opportunities for the activities of entrepreneurs, taking into account the peculiarities of high mountains and the distance of the region from the center. For this:

• if possible, simplify the conditions for entry of foreign tourists and investors in the GBAO, do not turn the issuance of additional permits into an insurmountable obstacle.
• create conditions for participation in regional forums of investors and businessmen of neighboring countries and regions, whose arrival by embassies and consulates of the Republic of Tajikistan abroad is extremely limited.
• to speed up the announcement of the Kulma border checkpoint international and its transition to a new international mode of operation, which contributes to a significant increase in the arrival of tourists and investors into the country from the PRC and Pakistan.

      At the level of local and central authorities and authorities, consider the possibility of establishing a regional fund for financial support for entrepreneurs in the GBAO. At the same time, provide for the possibility of financing the fund, both at the expense of the state, and local and foreign economic funds, and investors.
     Examine the possibility of obtaining loans from Chinese banks for the purchase and import into the country of machinery, equipment, building materials and other necessary goods. Ask local and central commercial banks to assist in this matter.

In order to create conditions for the activities of businessmen in the GBAO to develop mineral resources, consider the possibilities:

• Developments of a simplified law and mechanisms for issuing permits for private and legal entities (diligent artels, individual prospector), taking into account the peculiarities of GBAO)
• The need to determine the legal status of individuals
• creation of a geo-center of GBAO with an accessible database of geo-information

In order to train personnel for work in exploration and mining projects and companies, it is advisable to establish short-term courses in the field, in particular on the basis of the local technical lyceum and with the support of the University of Central Asia.
Spread the principle of the extractive industries transparency initiative in GBAO

Considering that the share of tourism in the country every year becomes more significant, and the mountain regions in this area are the most popular, it is necessary:

• study and resolve the issue of creating a national tourism council in the country
• it is advisable to consider the establishment of a separate tourism structure under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan;
• to implement measures to prevent inappropriate, sometimes rude treatment of tourists by the staff of the country's airports and other service personnel operating at airports and to increase concern for their safety
• organize more effective training in the training and retraining of tour operators and entrepreneurs working in the field of tourism and service.
• Use the existing natural opportunities to consider the creation of a modern sanatorium in the village of Jelondeh;
• Seek the opportunity for restructuring the Sarez Hotel in the Bartang;

Association of entrepreneurs and mountain farmers "Milal Inter":

• summarize the results of the forum and find an opportunity to publish a collection of its materials;
• Recommendations of the Forum should be communicated to all participants, relevant organizations and institutions involved in their implementation.

       Forum participants express their satisfaction with the work of the Forum and express their gratitude to the organizers of the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management, the local executive body of GBAO and the Milal Inter Association of Entrepreneurs and Mountain Farmers, sponsors, and other partner organizations for good preparation and holding of the forum.