SWISS COOPERATION OFFICE TAJIKISTAN

Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs

September 2006 (update)

General Information for Missions to Tajikistan

The Swiss Cooperation Office in Dushanbe would like to provide you with some useful information so that to make your stay in Tajikistan more comfortable. For further information please contact the administration of the Cooperation Office in Dushanbe (Address: 20, Pavlov Str., Dushanbe, Tel: (992 37 ) 224 73 16, 224 38 97, 224 19 50, 224 72 47, e-mail [email protected], web: www.swisscoop.tj

Dushanbe and it's countryside

Dushanbe is a Capital of Tajikistan which stands 750-930 meters above sea level. Known primarily for its Monday market, the name "Dushanbe" is derived from the Tajik word for Monday and grew out of the village located in the Hissar valley. The following are the sights which are particularly worth while seeing: - Opera House at 28, Rudaki Avenue; - Museum of Antiquities where the biggest sleeping Buddha, recovered from the remains of Buddhist temples near Kurgan-Tube in the south, is exhibited which is located at 7, Radjabov Str., tel: 21 37 42; - Museum of areas studies named after Bekhzod at 31, Prloschad Aini, tel: 21 60 36, 23 22 72; - Gurminj Museum at 23, Bokhtar St. which exhibits traditional musical instruments - The Firdousi Library, a major library with an impressive collection of medieval Islamic manuscripts; - The Rokhat Tea-House (Choi-Khona) near the Presidential Building at Rudaki Avenue with a nice traditional spirit, food, live tajik music and beautiful painted ceilings. When you exhaust the possibilities in town take a day trip to Gissar Fortress which is 20 minutes and about 30 km away. Other excursions can be made to Varzob Canyon, about 10 km from Dushanbe and is a picturesque drive along the Varzob river.

National Holidays:

New Year – 1st of January, Women’s Day – 8th of March, Navruz – 22-23rd March, Labour Day – May 1st, Day of National Reconciliation – June 27th, Day of Independence – September 9th, Constitution Day – November 6th, Kurban Eid and Ramazan Eid vary each year depending on Calendar.

Water, food

It is advisable not to use tap water for drink or brushing teeth but exclusively bottled mineral water or filtered one (e.g. by Katadyn) for these purposes.

Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are normally safe for consumption. Eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables and fruits need to be washed properly before consumption.

Here is a description of some dishes from the Tajik cuisine: Plov - made up of scraps of mutton or beef with shredded carrots and rice, fried in a large wok; Shashlyk - skewered chunks of mutton or beef grilled over charcoal, served with raw sliced onions; Manty - large dough steam cooked sacks stuffed with minced or chopped meat; samsa or sambusa and chiburekki (deep-fried or baked dough cakes stuffed usually with minced or chopped meat and onions) are all popular as snacks; shurpo - meat and vegetables soup; laghman - similar to shurpo, but comes with noodles.

Time

GMT + 5. No time changes in winter or summer.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round, 2-pin continental plugs.

Money

Currency: The Tajik currency is Somoni. 1 Somoni = 100 Dirams. Notes are in denominations of Somoni 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Dirams, issued as notes and coins, are in denominations of diram 50, 20, 5 and 1. The exchange rate for September 2006 is US$1 = 3.40 Smn.

Currency exchange: The preferred hard currency is the US Dollar and Euro, although other hard currencies are also acceptable but exchange rate is lower than in other countries. Old banknotes are normally accepted but at a lower rate. Owing to a shortage of change, a supply of small notes should be carried. International banking services are not available. Please, avoid changing money with private persons, all money should be changed at the exchange points around the town (many are along Rudaki Avenue, close to Central Department Store "TSUM").

Credit & debit cards: All bills are settled in cash, no cards are accepted and therefore a sufficient amount of cash should be brought to Tajikistan. ATM machines for Visa, Mastercards are available in places such as: "Avesto" hotel, "Tajikistan" hotel, "Agroninvestbank", "TSUM "(Central Department Store), "DAEWOO" shop but cannot be relied upon.

Travel in/from Dushanbe

To reach a certain destination in Dushanbe by public transportation you can either take a taxi but fix a price before entering a car (prices vary from 5 to 30 Somoni depending on distance), mini-bus (marshrutka) or bus - cost is 0.40 Smn per trip.

Dushanbe is connected to Khujand, Kulab and Khorog, the administrative center of Gorno- Badakhshan (GBAO) by car and plane. Due to the mountainous terrain of GBAO, it is often preferred to travel by helicopter or plane but the flights are not regular since they are dependent on good weather.

Air Travel

There are not many Air companies in TJ such as: TajikAir, representations of Turkish Airline, Russian and Kyrgyz Airlines. Airfare to Russia countries changes depending on a season and demand (e.g. cost in summer in the direction Dushanbe-Moscow is higher than in winter due to high demand). It is recommended to subscribe to a monthly e-mail delivery of flights timetable through Central Asia Tourism Corporation [email protected] Cooperation Office can assist in booking/purchase of tickets. Missions are requested to inform in advance the administration of the Office on their itinerary.

Communication

For calls within Dushanbe you can use telephone offices which will usually be found attached to the post office (55, Rudaki Avenue) or some telephone booths in the town (price 0.20 Smn per call). It is recommended to make a phone call from hotel or the Cooperation Office as there aren't many public telephones around Dushanbe. International calls can be done from the post office, from hotel (through reception), business centre of hotel or from the Cooperation Office. "Swisscom" mobile has a roaming agreement with the Tajik provider "Indigo".

To call Tajikistan: Country code: 992 (followed by 37 for Dushanbe).

Direct-Dialing from Tajikistan:

1. International telephone calls: 2. Local calls within Tajikistan: • 8 (code for intercity service) • 8 • wait for second dial tone • wait for second dial tone • 10 (code for international service) • city code • country code • subscriber's number • city code • subscriber's number

Important numbers

FIRE 01 POLICE 02 EMERGENCY AID/AMBULANCE 03 GENERAL INFORMATION (Russian/Tajik) 09 AIRPORT INFORMATION in Dushanbe 006;(+992 37) 449 42 06, 449 42 33

Please, note that Tajikistan introduced 7 digits numbers for local Dushanbe numbers and now 2 is added to any six digits number (e.g.: 224 73 16). The code for Dushanbe has also changed to 37 (previously 372). However dialing from abroad is still the same (e.g.: ++ 992 37 224 73 16)

Shopping

Bazaars of Dushanbe are the places which are also advisable to be seen especially in summer and autumn when they abound with vegetables and fruits. There is a bazaar called “Barakat”, 17, Somoni st., where it is possible to buy food and some handicrafts. Shokhmansur (also known as Zelyoni) Bazaar near Aini Square, 12 Lakhuti St., is even bigger and sells food.

There is an art gallery at the corner of Prospekt Rudaki, and Ismail Somoni Street (opposite the Presidential Building) which exhibits and sells work of local artists. There is an art colony on Umar Khayam Str. (near Restaurant Salsa) and e.g. an Art Studio "Madelyiani (Modigliani)" at 4A, Chekhova Street, tel. 27 04 74 (opposite DAEWOO shop) where you can buy national souvenirs, paintings, handicrafts for your relatives and friends. Another souvenir shop is on Foteh Niezi Str. (corner with Rudaki Ave. opposite direction of Hotel Tajikistan) but also at “Bactria Cultural Center” as well as the Museum of Antiquities you can purchase such items.

Central Department Store (TSUM – a three-storey building), 83, Prospekt Rudaki, offers clothes, furniture, stationary, souvenirs (2nd floor) and consumer goods. Opposite of the "Avesto" hotel there is a 'supermarket' called "M&P" which provides a broad range of western/ Russian food products.

Accommodation

Tajikistan is not well supplied by hotels and most of them are of old-fashioned style but in general they are clean with friendly personnel. Cooperation Office can assist with arranging accommodation in TJ (either hotel or flat) but as it is necessary to do so in advance all missions are requested to inform the administration on the dates of accommodation in advance.

"Mercury" Hotel Address: 9, Lev Tolstoy Street, Tel: (+992 37) 22 444 91 Fax: (+992 37) 22 441 37 http://www.hotel-mercury.tj 1. 8 standard single. Cost is 60 USD 2. 5 standard double. Cost is 80 USD 3. 1 2 room suite. Cost is 100 USD 4. 2 3 room suite. Cost is 120 USD Prices stated include breakfast

Avesto Hotel Address: 105/1, Rudaki ave. Dushanbe, Tajikistan Tel/Fax: (+992 37) 2211276; 2211270

There are 86 rooms in the hotel. 1. 13 suit rooms. Cost is $90 for CIS citizens and $100 for foreigners. 2. 15 small suit rooms. Cost is $75 for CIS citizens and $90 for foreigners. 3. 30 single rooms. Cost is $55. 4. 18 double rooms. Cost is $70. 5. 10 duplex rooms. Cost is $52. The prices stated do not include breakfast and additional services.

Sino Hotel Address: 75/25, Shevchenko Str. Dushanbe, Tajikistan Tel: (+992 37) 227 00 92

There are 11 rooms in the hotel. 1. 9 single rooms. Cost is $65. 2. 2 double rooms. Cost is $85. The prices stated include breakfast.

Kayon II Hotel Address: 9, 1st passage of Ak. Rajabobyh Str., Dushanbe, Tajikistan Tel/Fax: (+992 37) 221 86 62; 227 02 03 E-mail: [email protected]

There are 10 rooms in the hotel. 1. 10 single rooms. Cost is $80 including breakfast and access to Internet.

“Tajikistan” Hotel Address: 22, Shotemur Street Tel: (+992 37) 221 82 28, 221 81 01 Cost varies, depending on room from 50 to 150 USD. Prices do not include breakfast or additional services

“Dushanbe” Hotel Address: 7, Rudaki Street, Tel: (+ 992 37) 221 96 07, 221 96 55 Cost varies, depending on room from 30 to 200 USD. Prices do not include breakfast or additional services

Outside of Dushanbe US$ 30.00 – 40.00 per night / person, breakfast is included (usually guesthouses of IOs)

Prices quoted are only guidelines and are subject to change without prior notice.

Apartments US$ 20 - 35.00 per night / person in Dushanbe, breakfast not included US$ 7.00 for shopping and cooking per day US$ 10.00 for washing (5 kg or one machine)

Language

Tajik is the official language which is an ancient Persian language. Russian is widely used (35% of the population speak Russian fluently), especially in urban areas. English is seldom spoken.

Passports

Passport valid for at least 6 months after date of departure. Required by all.

Visas a. Citizens of Switzerland and of selected countries (defined by GoTJ, at the moment over 60) can either obtain with simplified rules their TJ visas (up to 45 days, single entry/exit) at the Consular Bureau upon arrival at Dushanbe airport (just fill in the specific official “application form” - which can also be obtained in advance electronically through SCO - with 2 passport-size photos) or otherwise through Tajik embassies, for Swiss citizens through the one in Vienna, Austria.

Please visit the official site of the Tajik Embassy in Vienna : http://www.tajikembassy.org b. Citizens of countries who are not from the a/m list (of simplified rules) have to pass in order to get a Tajik visa in advance to SCO Dushanbe all the necessary information (i.e. passport copy, filled in application form with digit photo) at least one month prior to their travel to Tajikistan. Visa is issued only on a basis of the support letter from the MFA, Dushanbe.

Tajik Embassies as well as the Consular Bureau at the airport issue single visa up to 45 day duration only; longer visas have to be obtained from the MFA in Dushanbe and another visa application is necessary. c. Long term multiple visas are issued by MFA TJ in Dushanbe only. Visa processing takes one month. All visitors have to inform SCO in Dushanbe of their visit and pass all the necessary information (i.e. passport copy, filled in application form with digit photo) at least one month prior to their travel to Tajikistan. d. For Gorno - Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) a special permit - apart from Tajik visa - is necessary to be obtained. SCO needs to apply for that permit one month prior to the actual travel to GBAO. Only MFA in Dushanbe can issue the GBAO permit. For private trips this GBAO-permit is issued by OVIR (see below). In the latter case please refer to Tajik tour agency “Tajikintourservice” for assistance, tel.: (++ 992 37) 221 71 84, e-mail: [email protected], web-site: www.tis.tj .

List of Tajik embassies or representations where Tajik visa can be obtained:

Austria – Vienna (1090 Universitats Strasse, 8/1A, tel.: 0431 409 82 66 11, fax: 409 82 66 14/15) - in charge of Switzerland Germany – Berlin (1058 Otto-Su Allee, tel.: 493 03479300, fax: 034793029/14) USA – New York (136 East 67th st., tel.: 1212 7442196, fax: 4727645) Turkey – Ankara (M.Gandhi st., 06700, tel.: 0312 4461602, fax: 4463621) Pakistan – Islamabad (tel.: 9251 2294675, fax: 2299710) Russia – Moscow (13 Granatni pereulok, tel.: 7095 2904186, 2903846, fax: 2918998) Byelorussia – Minsk (17 Kirova st., tel.: 37517 272339, fax: 277613) Uzbekistan – Tashkent (19 ploshad’ M.Torobi, tel.: 998712 542551, 549966, fax: 548969) Kazakhstan – Almaty (58 Djandosov st., tel.: 73272 455456, 455656, fax: 442089) Turkmenistan – Ashgabad (13 Turkmenbashi shayali; tel.: 99312 355696, 393431, fax: 393174/31 Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek (36, Kara-Darinskaya Street, 720005; Tel.: (996 312) 512343, 511464, 512587; Fax (669-312) 512343)

Registration at MFA / OVIR

All missions, except holders of diplomatic and UN passports, need compulsory to be registered within three working days at MFA in case of business trips and OVIR in case of private trips (otherwise fined with several hundred of $ latest when leaving TJ). Hotels “Avesto”, “Tajikistan”, “Dushanbe” issue registration in case of your stay at one of these hotels. Registration at MFA is obtained by SCO directly with MFA based on it’s request which is sent to MFA one week prior to mission’s arrival to TJ. In case of private trip, please refer to tour agency “Tajikintourservice” which can assist in obtaining Tajik visa as well as registration. The contacts are: (++ 992 37) 221 71 84, e-mail: [email protected], web-site: www.tis.tj

Transport

The Cooperation Office can assist missions in hiring transport. The following are the current rates:

US$ 20.00 per day, driving in Dushanbe (office car)

US$ 30.00 per day, driving in Dushanbe (driver’s own car)

US$ 35.00 per day, driving in Dushanbe (driver’s own bus or mini-van)

US$ 45.00 per day (governmental car with government number plates)

US$ 0.25 per km for field trips (drivers’ own car) plus US$ 10.00 per day *

US$ 0.35 per km for field trips (drivers’ own bus or 4-wheel car) plus US$ 10.00 per day*

* For field trips – accommodation and food are paid by SCO or the mission upon presentation of the receipts.

Translation / Interpretation

The Cooperation Office can assist missions in arranging translators or interpreters. The following are the current rates:

US$ 60.00 per day (8 hrs) for ordinary translation

US$ 70.00 per day for field trips (accommodation and food are paid by SCO or the mission)

US$ 20.00 per hour for individual meetings (less than 8 hrs)

US$ 240.00 per day for top level simultaneous translations and/or meetings with high-level officials

US$ 30 USD per hour for top level simultaneous translations at workshops/seminars

US$ 8.00 per page for written translation

US$ 10.00 per page for urgent written translation within a day

Restaurants

There is a big variety of restaurants nowadays, either offering Tajik food and/ or international one (Chinese, Indian, Russian, western, etc.). A (separate) list of recommended places can be obtained at the Cooperation Office. We can also recommend to subscribe to a weekly newsletter “What’s on in Dushanbe” through e-mail [email protected], the newsletter contains information on the most prominent weekly events in different fields, various advertisements, list of restaurants, etc.

Websites on Tajikistan with useful information

There is a broad range of websites with useful information on Tajikistan: besides the one of the Cooperation Office ( www.swisscoop.tj ) on its Swiss supported programs (incl. general information) and all the others in Tajikistan ( www.untj.org ) you can consult e.g. www.tajiktraveller.com , www.tajikistan.tajnet.com , www.traveltajikistan.com , www.somoni.com , www.pamirs.org , etc.

Safety

The security situation in Dushanbe has steadily improved during the last years. It is in general safe to walk in town. However, walking at (late) night is preferably to be limited to the central areas of the town and in groups (but not in dark places). It is also recommended to avoid carrying a big amount of money in the evenings. Please, watch your bag while walking in crowded places like bazaars since pickpockets are around.

Please, refer to SCO’s brief “Local Security Guidelines” which contains a list of contacts in case of emergencies.

Hints

It is a tradition to bargain at the bazaars but in shops prices are fixed. An offer for "Yak piola choi" (a cup of tea) will lead to a whole meal. Shoes should be taken off inside the residential houses or flats.

Annex: - List of useful contacts in case of emergencies

September 2006 MAF (+ZUD, STI) - CF 1.06.9.1