SUPPORT of SME in TAJIKISTAN PROJECT: Study tour to Albania and Germany from 19 November until 2 December 2009
Since March 2009 we have entered Phase II of the project "Support of SME in Tajikistan", which aims to improve demand-oriented enterprise-related services in Dushanbe (capital of the country) the Sughd Region in the North of the country (Chudschand is the capital of this region) and in Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO) in the East of the country (Chorugh is the capital of this region).
One crucial component of Phase II is to provide technical assistance for the development of an "umbrella" association "The Center for Association and SME Excellence (CASE)" for business association leaders of Tajikistan.
According to the study tour program the start-up was planned on 19 November 2009 from Dushanbe via Istanbul, Turkey, with arrival to Tirana, Albania, on 20 November 2009. The study tour ended in Berlin, Germany on 2 December 2009.
The aim of this activity was to provide the participants with a working understanding of how umbrella type associations function and serve SME members in these two countries. The exchanges of information will lead to further discussions among this group of leaders on how to best establish such an organization in Tajikistan. A secondary aim is to establish long term relationships between the participants and the hosts and their members in an effort to further SME business opportunities between the countries.
Ed Beaman, Senior International Consultant AFCI in the project organized the meetings in Albania with the Association Business Management Center (ABMC) and the Albanian Agribusiness Council (KASH) for the delegation from Tajikistan.
During this study tour in Berlin AFCI arranged meetings with: the Fruit and Vegetable wholesale market, the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries (BVE), the Chambers of Industry and Commerce and its Association (DIHK), the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW) and the German Federal Bakers Association.
Throughout the time in Albania and in Germany the group met with board members, ordinary members, staff as well as various government officials in an effort to gain a complete understanding of how the umbrella groups were organized, how they are funded, how they operate and serve their members, and importantly how they work with the government to introduce and reform laws and regulations according to the needs of the members. Each presentation was followed by fruitful dialogue with intensive question and answer sessions about specific factors and their success.
Summing it up, 12 association leaders from Tajikistan together with key staff from AFCI spent an intresting and highly efficient time in Albania and in Germany. The study tour was warmly welcomed by all participants and was perfect for networking, it gave energy as well as new ideas for the development of small and medium enterprises, provided valuable insight for the participants and completed their understanding of how such a center works in Albania and how it is possible for a similar organization to function in Tajikistan as well.
The last evening the 14 day study tour ended with a merry get together in a Christmas atmosphere in Berlin.
Upon return to Tajikistan the participants met in a post study tour session to review lessons learned and make plans for the next steps with regard to the potential formation of CASE.
For further information please refer to:
AFC Bonn
Elena Bakay
Tel.:+49(0)228-98579-26
AFC/CAICO Dushanbe
Ed Beaman
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