OSCE holds conference with Tajik Economy Ministry on WTO commitments in telecoms, broadcasting

DUSHANBE, 19 March 2014 – An OSCE-supported conference on Tajikistan’s World Trade Organization’s (WTO) commitments in the field of telecommunications and broadcasting services concluded in Dushanbe at Hyatt Regency Hotel today. 

The two-day conference and the follow-up workshops brought together some 100 participants from the government, the parliament, media, private sector, civil society embassies and international organizations who discussed what needs to be done to advance the implementation of WTO commitments. Tajikistan joined the WTO in March 2013.

During the first day of the conference on 18 March national and international experts discussed the need to establish independent regulators, competitive safeguards and transparent, clear and objective licensing criteria for telecommunications and broadcast sectors.  On the second day, three workshops were run to facilitate exchange of experience between visiting and Tajik experts. The workshops focused on telecommunication services and Tajikistan’s post-accession commitments; digital switch-over and freedom of expression issues; best practices in the regulation of broadcasting services.

Ambassador Markus Mueller, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, spoke about the growing convergence of the telecommunication and the broadcasting sectors:  “In response to this development, member states of WTO established the so-called convergent regulators, covering both telecommunication and broadcasting services.” He stressed the importance of exchanging experiences on the usage of such mechanisms.

Saidrahmon Nazriev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade added: "Tajikistan is well aware that accession to WTO does not mean ‘mission accomplished’. On the contrary, the real work on the implementation of WTO rules and fulfilment of commitments undertaken begins from the first day of membership. Tajikistan is committed to fulfil its obligations as a WTO member and to further reform its trade regime applicable to both goods and services."

At the end of the conference the participants adopted recommendations to serve as a guide and reference for the ongoing reform in these sectors.