DUSHANBE, March 27, Asia-Plus - The first one-day meeting of the supervisory board on the Trade Promotion in Tajikistan project opened in Dushanbe today morning.  

Abdulfattoh Shafiyev, the project national consultant for public relations, said that the board members are discussing issues related to the implementation of the project as well as problems and obstacles facing processing and export of fruits and vegetables.  

According to him, processing of fruits and vegetables and export of them are one priorities of agricultural sphere in export potentials of Tajikistan.  

Experts hold that development of this sphere will facilitate enhancement of other branches of the country’s agrarian sector and make contribution to reduction of poverty in the republic.   

Shafiyev said that the supervisory board had been set up for the purpose of supporting the implementation of the Trade Promotion in Tajikistan project.  The board includes representatives from the ministries of economic development and trade, agriculture and environmental protection, energy and industry, as well as other relevant organizations.    

Exporting companies often realize higher profit margins and have a larger and more diverse customer base than those who sell only to the domestic market. They can benefit from economies of scale, specialize more, and protect themselves better against cyclical and seasonal variations in demand.  Moreover, their competitiveness is strengthened because by being exposed to international markets, they find it easier to develop their technologies and their marketing skills. Through these activities at the enterprise level, external trade can be a forceful stimulant to economic growth and to rising living standards of nations.

Tajikistan is in the process of WTO accession.  So far only few, mainly large companies in Tajikistan export, and the country’s exports are dominated by two products – aluminum and cotton. This makes it vulnerable to economic shocks and their social and economic consequences.

In view of Tajik enterprises’ difficulties to take advantage of foreign market opportunities, the Swiss Government (SECO) decided to fund the Trade Promotion in Tajikistan project.  SECO chose the International Trade Center (ITC), with its 40 years of experience in trade related technical assistance, as its partner.

ITC developed and is now implementing a practical, results oriented project, where assistance is provided at three levels: at the enterprise level, where the main focus of the project lies; at the level of trade related business services providers, and at the level of public-private partnerships that assist in creating a favorable business and export environment. 

ITC works in close cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan and with Tajik enterprises and business sector representatives.