BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 15. From 2020 the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) EU-funded Ready4Trade Central Asia project is helping Kyrgyz companies to boost productivity, a source in the Delegation of the EU to Kyrgyzstan told Trend.
Within the framework of this program, companies in Kyrgyzstan have received collectively over 700 individual coaching sessions from ITC-trained national advisors.
"Overall, 75 businesses from the textile and garments, handicrafts and processed food sectors from seven regions in Kyrgyzstan have participated in the program," a source in the EU delegation to Kyrgyzstan said.
For example, in July 2022, the Project awarded 53 small businesses that had completed the project’s foundational course in e-commerce. Collectively they have achieved online sales of around $1.9 million since they joined the program.
"We provide support with conducting market research and developing e-commerce strategy, digitizing content, selecting online channels, using online payment solutions, developing a digital marketing strategy and understanding logistics for e-commerce," the organization noted.
Moreover, an opening of an artisan empowerment hub in the region and the launch of a Ready4Trade e-commerce store for artisans from Central Asia are planned for this year.
Remarkably, Ready4Trade in Central Asia Project aims to support investment, competitiveness and trade in Central Asia, which will be completed by the end of 2023.