INT/Aid for Trade in Central Asia

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The Development Cooperation Program Aid for Trade, implemented by UNDP, was commenced in 2009, initially covering nine countries in Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. During the phases I-II (2009-2013) country-specific pilot projects were launched in order to develop foreign trade in the private sector, in particular within the agricultural sector. Phase III (2014-2018) focused to the least developed countries in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and through border trade also to Uzbekistan. During phase IV of the project (2018-2022) Uzbekistan was added to the program as third partner country. The program has achieved good results, and small and medium sized enterprises have succeeded in increasing their exports and creating new jobs. During phase V (2022-2025) cooperation will continue in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The aim is to boost the competitiveness of small local agro-food and other entrepreneurs by improving their product quality and marketing. In addition to increasing exports, the aim is to create decent jobs. Agricultural product development will focus on organic products. Efforts are being made in order to increase the proportion of female entrepreneurs. Phase V of Aid for Trade will enhance the sustainability of the results and increase cooperation between Central Asian countries. Duration is four years (2022-2025). The project contributes to Finland's development policy priority II "Strengthening the economic base of developing countries and creating jobs". Finland has financed phases I-IV with approximately 21 million euro. The budget of phase V is 6 800 000 euro.