Enhancing export opportunities for Central Asian businesses

In collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), we contributed to a training on Export Opportunities for exporters from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

The training focused on European market opportunities for exporters from Central Asia, detailing the market entry requirements and challenges – and how to overcome these. The training also provided and explained tools for consultants to support and make export audits and strategies for potential exporting companies.

In a tailor-made training program, we shed light on different aspects of international trade for horticulture and food exporters from Central Asia. Our international trade consultant, Warner, played a pivotal during these conferences and shared insights on, among other things, international export strategies and how to conduct export audits.

Activities

Among other things, we:

• Designed an interactive training course, including the topics below:

1. How to identify the target export market, including channels and segments?
2. Which standards & certifications, and/or permits, does the target market require?
3. How to get the product to the right client in the target market? About promotion, market segmentation, and client profiling.
4. What are the resources needed to initiate exports? – Planning of the export activities.

• Delivered the course face-to-face in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and Almaty, Kazakhstan for a diverse audience.

Results

• Three interactive workshops were delivered in Central Asia. Both SMEs and local experts were trained in export market opportunities, market diversification and market requirements.
• Simplified customs procedures were agreed to facilitate cross-border trade:
• Collaboration between the public and private sectors was encouraged.
• Cross-border connections and regional collaboration between were reinforced.
• Gender-related trade challenges were conveyed, and support was provided for women owned businesses.
• The diverse audience eagerly absorbed the knowledge and left the conferences with a commitment to succeed.