DUSHANBE, November 29, 2011, Asia-Plus — The activities, challenges and future plans of the International Trade Center (ITC)’s Trade Promotion Program in Tajikistan were discussed at the 3rd Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting that took place in Dushanbe on November 29.
The Trade Promotion Program, implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), is designed to contribute to the development of the textile and clothing industry and to the improvement of the national quality management infrastructure of Tajikistan. Implementation of Phase III of the project started in September 2009. The project is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
The PSC was established to support project activities; ensure transparency in its implementation; ensure that the project’s outputs respond to the country’s priorities, etc. The PSC consists of representatives of relevant ministries and state agencies, SECO, ITC and the private sector.
Mr. Dilshod Rasoulov, the head of the light industry directorate within the Ministry of Energy and Industries, noted that domestic textiles producers have manufactured 200 million somoni worth of output over the first ten months of this year, which is 55 percent more than in the same period last.
Mr. Saidrahmon Nazriyev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, evaluates the current status of project implementation as successful, highlighting its contribution in the development of the textile and clothing sector of Tajikistan, as well as assistance provided in the areas of SPS and TBT.
According to him, the volume of cotton processed into manufactured goods in Tajikistan is gradually increasing. At present Tajikistan is processing nearly 100,000 tons of cotton fiber per year, he noted.
Mr. Armen Zargaryan, ITC Regional Trade Promotion Adviser, mentions examples of project activity outcomes, including: participation by Tajik artisanal and textile and clothing enterprises in the international trade fairs in Paris and Moscow; the study on the Russian clothing market; assistance provided to the staff of Tajikstandart’s laboratories in gaining European experience; and preparation of the Food Safety Assessment Matrix.
According to Mr. Saidamon Isomaddinov, “Leader” LLC, collaboration with the ITC project contributed to strengthening the company’s presence in the Russian market and raising the level of its competitiveness in foreign markets. In particular, he has praised ITC’s assistance in the areas of quality management and productivity.
The outcome of the recent visits of Tajik textile and clothing companies to the renowned international fairs in Paris and Moscow organized under the project were also discussed during the PSC meeting.
The overall objective of Trade Promotion Program in Tajikistan is to contribute to the sustainable expansion and diversification of SMEs’ exports in Tajikistan by increasing the competitiveness of the textile and clothing industry and improving the quality management infrastructure of the country. This project is funded by the Government of Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
