Tajikistan

<p>Following the successful launch of the Central Asia Trade Intelligence Portal (CATI <a href="https://catiportal.org/en">https://catiportal.org/en</a&gt;) to the public in February 2021, ITC will design a capacity building programme to strengthen the skills of national stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to utilize the data from the CATI portal as well as the underlying ITC&apos;s Market Analysis Tools in compiling quantitative export factsheets for a specific product and assessing export potential. Most importantly, the programme seeks to establish a network of competent certified trainers on the CATI portal as well as ITC&rsquo;s Trade Map and Market Access Map, who can continue to train local trade experts and companies, thereby creating the multiplier effect and long-term sustainability of the activity.</p>

<p>The envisaged long-term impact of the project is to contribute to increase inclusive export growth in the targeted value chains contributing to improved livelihoods and decent employments (more and better jobs).</p><p><strong>T</strong>he project will focus on competitiveness and sustainable export growth of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and improving the capacities of business support organizations (BSOs) to provide quality services to SMEs. Furthermore, the programme will foster regional exchange and knowledge sharing facilitated among SMEs and BSOs from partner countries.</p><p>Agribusiness was identified as a viable priority sector for assistance across all four countries as it provides significant potential for the social inclusion of vulnerable groups and plays a particular role in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</p><p>To demonstrate tangible changes leading to sustainable and inclusive growth, the project will focus on &nbsp;selected product groups in each country.&nbsp;</p><p>The project is structured around three outcomes formulated as follows:</p><p><strong>Outcome 1: Improved competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs in the agribusiness sector</strong></p><p><strong>Outcome 2: Improved BSOs performance in the agribusiness sector</strong></p><p align="left"><strong>Outcome 3: Regional / sectoral exchange and knowledge sharing and collaboration between sector actors</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong>The project will start with a 6-month inception phase to ensure that technical assistance responds to the beneficiary countries&rsquo; needs and priorities, project offices are set up and the final product groups for project focus in each country are selected.</p><p>The project will assist SMEs&rsquo; in producing goods according to market requirements, linking them to targeted markets to increase sales, supporting their digital transformation and adherence to sustainability principles/standards. To this end, beneficiaries including government and relevant sectoral institutions will be supported in taking a strategic approach toward the sector&rsquo;s development and BSOs to deliver quality service to SMEs for the selected priority areas.</p>