Resource information
This report assesses the challenges and
opportunities for the development of the Khatlon oblast in
Tajikistan. The report argues that the rise in the strategic
significance of Khatlon must be matched by responses in
public policy and a strong upturn in private investment to
strengthen economic prospects. The report identifies four
key reform imperatives for stimulating growth in the oblast.
These are: (i) promoting cities and internal connectivity to
build labor skills, realize scale economies, and diversify
output; (ii) harnessing the potential of agriculture for
exports; (iii) reshaping public policies to encourage
entrepreneurship and reduce corruption; and (iv) retooling
free economic zones to build in internal supply chains and
conform to modern management practices. The report also
recognizes the critical importance of building security and
antinarcotics defenses, but details in these areas lie
outside the scope of the work. The underlying belief behind
the assessment of the growth prospects of the oblast is that
a rapidly prosperous Khatlon with rising private investment
will itself be stabilizing.
