Published: 23 September 2014 г.
Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan, 19 September 2014 -The University of Central Asia’s Institute for Public Policy and Administration (UCA IPPA) held a seminar on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 19 September 2014. IPPA presented the results of its research on MSMEs in Tajikistan, with a focus on recommendations to unlock their growth potential. The research and seminar were conducted within the framework of the Small and Medium Enterprise Growth Project for Central Asia, an initiative of USAID and the Aga Khan Foundation.
The seminar was attended by government representatives, independent experts and representatives of donor organisations and business associations. Opening remarks were delivered byMr Davlatkadam Khushkadamov, Government and Community Relations Manager, UCA; Dr Roman Mogilevskii, IPPA Head of Research;Mr Khairisho Shonusairiev, Learning Centre Coordinator, UCA School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE), Dushanbe; Dr Ashkan Ali Naemi of the Aga Khan Foundation Tajikistan and Mr Imran Shams, of First Microfinance Bank.
IPPA Research Fellow Dr Kanat Tilekeyev presented research findings on MSME sectors in Tajikistan, including small scale commercial agricultural production, retail trade, services and freight and passenger transport. He also provided an analysis of the current state of MSMEs and the challenges they face.
“Through this survey, we hope to fill a gap in information on the micro-level that was not fully covered by previous studies. The findings will help us better understand micro, small and medium enterprises in Tajikistan and the growth constraints they face. Our study reached out to 335 enterprises; 225 from urban areas and 100 from rural areas. We focused on a range of factors, including entrepreneurs’ education, capital, credit, investment decision-making, access to information, as well as perceptions of the broader business environment,” explained Tilekeyev.
IPPA’s research in Tajikistan and the region confirms that MSMEs play a key role in the development of economies in transition by creating jobs and stimulatingeconomic growth. Governments, donors and the private sector in Central Asia recognise the need to support investment, access to financial and non-financial support services, enabling policies and more active participation of MSMEs in trade to promote economic growth. This supports the integration of MSME actors in the market system contributing to regional economic integration.
IPPA will disseminate further research to inform policy makers and key stakeholders of the sector and provide recommendations to improve the enabling environment for MSMEs to grow and thrive within national economies.
Implemented by agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network, with funding support from the US Agency for International Development, the Small and Medium Enterprise Growth Project for Central Asia provides MSMEs in Tajikistan with improved access to capital markets and non-financial services. The one-year project aims to develop at least five auxiliary services, reaching over 450 MSMEs in the country. The project aims to create 900 new jobs and bring indirect benefits to 1,800 MSMEs by supporting and strengthening the development of the value chain. Under the project, UCA’s SPCE isdeveloping a Small and Medium Business Management course to build the skills of MSME owners.