SME Support for Fruit and Vegetable Processing in Tajikistan
2008-2010
“Central Asia Invest”
From 2008 to 2010, Hilfswerk International implemented the project CANDY I (“SME Support for Fruit and Vegetable Processing in Tajikistan”) in cooperation with ASTI, NABWT, WIFI and the National Association of Dehkan Farmers of the Republic of Tajikistan. The project was funded by the European Union within the framework of the program “Central Asia Invest”.
The Association of Scientific and Technical Intelligentsia of Tajikistan (ASTI) is a public non-governmental, non-profit organization that promotes the development of democratic reforms and mitigates the problems associated to poverty by using the scientific and technical potential and by strengthening of the role of the non-profit sector through social, informational, educational, consulting and development programs. Important areas of ASTI’s efforts to reduce poverty include increasing crop production, improving methods and techniques with modern technologies, supporting local level SMEs, mobilizing and uniting farmers into cooperatives and associations, and finally, finding suitable and profitable markets for farmers and associations both nationwide and abroad.
The National Association of Business Women of Tajikistan (NABWT) is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Tajikistan, working in the field of poverty reduction through the support and development of SMEs, expanding women’s economic rights and opportunities in the labor market. Its activities reach from help to ensure women’s access to resources and education as well as the development of market skills. NABWT operates in three areas: business and professional training, lobbying for the rights and interests of women entrepreneurs, and consulting services.
The Institute for Economic Promotion (WIFI) of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) offers initial and further education and vocational training for adults. Being the most important qualification partner for the Austrian economy, the institute also provides advisory services and consultancy to SMEs. In the framework of international education campaigns, practice-relevant know-how is transmitted.
The National Association of Dehkan Farmers of the Republic of Tajikistan is a professional organization of farmers aiming for comprehensive farm and enterprise support, developing and improving market infrastructure by combining and coordinating efforts of farmers and entrepreneurs, rights and interest protection, advanced training and the link to foreign partners.
Target region:
> Tajikistan
Target group:
> SME sector
> Agricultural suppliers
> Clients
> Professional associations
> Farmers’ unions
> Associations of processors and sellers
