Innovative and digital approaches to development of Tajikistan's agro-industrial complex discussed in Dushanbe

Organized in a “hybrid” format, being both in-person and virtual, connecting governmental and business leaders in Tajikistan with project’s beneficiaries and international partners, the meeting was held under the theme of “Innovative and Digital Approaches to the Development of Tajikistan's Agro-Industrial Complex.”

GIZ Office in Tajikistan notes that along with the traditional plenary sessions, participants could take part in innovative formats such as World Café, Open Space discussions and master classes.  In line with the major subject of the event (Digital Approaches), an exhibition of involved partner participants and service providers with products as result of their activities successfully completed the event.

To date, digital technologies are reportedly being introduced into agricultural production in the country in rather fragmented way.  It is mainly the development of individual mobile applications, which for the most part have not yet found widespread application.  Stakeholders at various platforms raise the problem of developing digital services in agriculture, food processing, and textile in the country.  Thus, within the framework of the permanent platform of Dushanbe Economic Meeting in order to develop systematic solutions and recommendations all main issues were discussed in a broad format.

Participants discussed the Government e-services for agribusiness, B2B opportunities for agribusiness, financial technologies to support farmers, digitalization of agribusiness sales and legal basis for digital economy.

The Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP)/ GIZ “Towards Rural Inclusive Growth and Economic Resilience (TRIGGER)” is a joint project of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to boost the added value of agricultural production in Tajikistan.

Dushanbe Economic Meeting is an established platform for dialogue between the private and public sectors of Tajikistan.  It has been supported by GIZ since 2014.  Each year, a specific topic of discussion is selected.  Tajik partners, who were closely involved in organizing the Dushanbe Economic Meeting in 2014-2019 include MoEDT, MoA, the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan, the State Committee on Investment and State Unitary Enterprise TajInvest, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Advisory Council for Improving the Investment Climate under the President of Tajikistan, the National Associations of Small and Medium Business of Tajikistan, the Union of Professional Consultants of Tajikistan and the Internet community “Economic News Tajikistan”.

IRDP/TRIGGER aims to boost added value of agricultural production in Tajikistan. The project Output 1 - Improve the business enabling environment and policy dialogue - aims to facilitate dialogue between private and public actors, promotes agricultural reform, green economy and sustainable agriculture principles. It strengthens the strategic policy formulation and the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and other public actors involved in economic policymaking to implement reforms and to conduct sound economic analysis.