DUSHANBE, December 14, 2013, Asia-Plus — On December 11-12, Chairman of Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Sharif Said met here with Harry Christiansen and Jacky Boardman, representatives of the World Bank agribusiness development project, according to the CCI press center.
The side reportedly discussed issues related to a new project of the World Bank, which aims to support enhancement of Tajikistan’s agrarian sector, commercialization of farm produce, work with private sector (farming units), strengthening of ties between public and private sectors, creation of a price chain, and cooperation between private agrarian sector and the government
The new project also includes work with Tajik Agricultural University on changing approach to training in agrarian sector.
In the course of the talks, the CCI head briefed the World Bank representatives on CCI’s work to assist farmers and farmers’ associations with seeking partners, promoting their products through organizing their participation at fairs and exhibitions. CCI has also organized various training seminars for farmers’ associations, Sharif Said said.
They sides reportedly also discussed farmers’ access to financial resources and small agricultural machines, provision of them with seeds, mineral fertilizers and pesticides, etc.
CCI head noted that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Business Advisory Services (BAS) Program has provided significant support for small business in Tajikistan.
BAS enables micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to access a diverse range of consulting services by facilitating projects with local consultants on a cost sharing basis.
Sharif Said also informed the World Bank representatives of an opportunity of bringing farm producers nearer to consumers through creating a ‘field-shop’ system that would considerably reduce the cost of product sales
