DUSHANBE, April 11, 2014, Asia-Plus — The workshop on “Implementation of a Quality Management System According to the ISO 9001 Standard” conducted in Dushanbe yesterday, concluded the series of one-day workshops on the topic in Tajikistan.
Two previous workshops were conducted in Qurghon Teppa on April 3 and in Khujand on April 8.
Mr. Saidmumin Kamolov, National Program Manager, International Trade Center (ITC), says this series of seminars was organized under ITC project, Strengthening Export Competitiveness of SMEs in the Textile and Clothing Sector and Enhancing Trade Support Institutional Capacities in Tajikistan, which is funded by the Government of Switzerland within its Trade Cooperation Program (TCP) in Tajikistan.
Representatives from the textile and clothing companies of Khatlon and Sughd provinces, as well as Dushanbe city, relevant governmental structures and business support service organizations were introduced to the quality management system according to ISO 9001 standard.
For the first time in Tajikistan a local specialist was involved in training local entrepreneurs on ISO standards. The seminars were conducted by Ms. Farzona Tilavova, ITC national consultant, lead ISO 9001 auditor, and director of “Kamolot-1” consulting company. Ms. Tilavova, previously trained on ISO standards under the ITC projects, says “the seminars aimed to create understanding of the ISO 9001 quality management system and its implementation methodology among Tajik textile and clothing industry representatives.” She believes that “the implementation of ISO 9001 standards will improve product quality and levels of customer satisfaction and will increase companies’ efficiency and competitiveness. Implementing the new Quality Management System will also increase clients’ and potential partners’ confidence, assist in improving the image of enterprises and create favorable conditions for attracting investments”.
The seminar participants were introduced to the concept of quality and the quality management system, ISO 9001 standard, the role of senior management in the quality management system, quality management in marketing, design, procurement and production activities, the continuous improvement of the quality management system, its documentation and implementation methodology, internal audit and quality management system certification by a third party.
The present project is component FOUR of the Trade Cooperation Program (TCP) in Tajikistan and aims to increase the export competitiveness of the textile and clothing (T&C) sector, by providing sector specific support to SMEs and relevant trade support institutions (TSIs), as well as supporting respective stakeholders in taking a strategic approach to the sector’s development. It will also explore the challenges and development potential of the tourism and handicraft sectors in Tajikistan, outlining relevant trade related technical assistance priorities.
Within its Cooperation Strategy for 2012-2015, Switzerland focuses on four sectors in Tajikistan; Health, Rule of Law, Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, and Private Sector Development. The overall goal of Swiss Cooperation in Tajikistan is to support the transition process in the country through contributing to economic development and by helping build institutions and systems which are responsive to the population’s needs.
