Locations15 September 2020, 9:00 a.m.
Opening statement by Dr (Ms) Pratibha Mehta,
UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan
Dear Mr. Farrukh Khamralizoda, Chairman of the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management
Dear Mr. Dilshod Jurazoda, Head of the State Institution of the "Formation and development of entrepreneurship of Tajikistan"
Distinguished Partners, Entrepreneurs and Guests,
Let me begin by congratulating everyone present today on the official opening of the Dushanbe Center of the State Institution "Formation and development of entrepreneurship in Tajikistan". It has been a great pleasure for UNDP to partner with the State Investment Committee and help conduct feasibility study for the establishment of this Institution and now supporting strengthening of the institutional and technical capacity to provide quality services to entrepreneurs.
One of the key objectives of UNDP in Tajikistan it to support sustainable economic development of the country by increasing productivity and marketability, skills training, job creation and enterprenurship development especially targeting young men, women in rural and urban areas.
UNDP has a long history of supporting the Government of Tajikistan to promote inclusive sustainable growth and generate livelihoods of marginalized communities. Since 2016 UNDP has launched five streams of initiatives on entrepreneurship development to promote empowerment, exchange of knowledge and best practices, entrepreneurship and mentorship.
First, at the policy level we are supporting formulation of the Entrepreneurship Support Program and State Export Development Program as well as by-laws to help implement the Law on State services.
Second, we have launched a 16 weeks business course for young people to learn by doing how to construct their business ideas.
Third, UNDP has established a business idea pitching platform called “Start-Up Choikhona” and jointly with the State Investment Committee, this State Institution and number of other partners the Start-up Choikhona platform is promoting soft business skills among such as networking, building business partnership, pitching ideas and matching business ideas with potential investors. So far thirteen “Start-Up Choikhona” events have been organized in all regions of Tajikistan and has brought together more than 400 young men and women who had the opportunity to present their start-up ideas to potential investors and as of today, 27 commercially feasible business projects have already been launched. We hope that experience from this initiative will help build a functional ecosystem for start - ups in Tajikistan.
In line with new demands entailed by the fourth industrial revolution, UNDP is promoting digital economy and digital innovations in the spheres of development financing, e-governance for economic services and state services.
Fifth, using UNDP’s global knowledge networks, jointly with State Business Incubator, we are promoting knowledge exchange with business incubators and business support organizations in different countries. We are connecting Tajik start-ups with globally renowned venture investors and business mentors to expand their exposure to venture capital market.
Ladies and Gentlenmen we are meeting during unprecedented Pandemic, which is not just a health crises, it has already also led to huge global economic crises. A recent assessment of COVID19 impact on MSMEs, livelihoods and lives conducted by UNDP in Tajikistan indicates that the virus has particularly affected micro, small and medium enterprises and the economic contraction has particularly affected jobs and income of young men and women, migrants and informal workers. According to the assessment, nearly 70 % of MSMEs has demonstrated low resilience to COVID impacted economic and financial shocks and are reportedly unable to repay outstanding loans, taxes, pay salaries, produce goods or provide services in line with pre-COVID-19 levels. Government policy for targeted and innovative business support and finances, including through digital means, to entrepreneurs is essential for quick recovery of the private sector which will also lead to job creation and help maintain value chains for critical products and services. UNDP is committed to supporting the government in recovering from COVID19 impact and among other initiatives has also launched “InnoResponse” Initiative to attract innovative solutions to address COVID impact, UNDP will award best ideas with funding for implementation.
We believe that this newly established State Institution can play a catalytical role in grooming the next generation to think out of the box, instil the spirit of innovation, critical thinking and risk-taking ability which can fuel sustainable economic growth and accelerate post-COVID-19 recovery.
UNDP is very excited by the new possibilities and is happy to be your partner.
Thank you!
