BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 9
By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:
Within the current Swiss Regional Cooperation Strategy for the South Caucasus 2017-2021, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO supports the improvement of the business environment in Azerbaijan and fosters access to finance for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that have considerable growth potential, including those based in rural areas, SECO told Trend.
In this respect, SECO said its support focusses on agriculture and private sector policies, standards definition and implementation, as well as access to finance and financial literacy for (rural) SMEs.
“SECO is engaged in the development and diversification of financial infrastructure, e.g., enhanced support for the development of mobile payment and banking services, and improved access for women to financial services. In addition, the private sector receives support to actively advocate for a sound legal and institutional framework for economic activity,” said the State Secretariat.
SECO is the federal government’s center of expertise for core issues relating to economic policy. Its aim is to ensure sustainable economic growth, high employment and fair working conditions by providing a stable environment for regulatory, economic and foreign trade policy.
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