Kazakhstan

<p>The EFI projects in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan will invest in human capital to harnesses the power of cultural identity as a vehicle for development, poverty alleviation and identity building. Through the Initiative&rsquo;s intervention, artisans, micro-producers in Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan &mdash; especially from marginalized urban and rural settings and from displaced communities &mdash; will have access to new job opportunities, to channels of trade and production and thus also to sustainable income.&nbsp;</p><p>The ultimate impact will be at the level of society as a whole, and it will consist in a measurable increase in the human and social capital of the concerned communities of beneficiaries.</p>

<p>The objective of this project is to enhance the functionalities and effective use of Trade Facilitation Portals by beneficiary countries with a view to create a more conducing cross-border environment for traders through improved transparency and simplified trade formalities.<span>&nbsp;This project builds upon ITC - UNCTAD longstanding partnership in the area of trade facilitation and creates opportunities for further build synergies across the agencies&apos; respective technical assistance offering.</span></p>

<p>The 4-year EU-funded Project is a trade component of a larger EU-funded programme which aims to support Investment, Competitiveness and Trade in Central Asia, thus contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic development in the region. The Project will support the development of intra-regional and international trade in five Central Asian countries. This will be done by enhancing the transparency of cross-border requirements, removing regulatory and procedural barriers, strengthening business capability to comply with trade formalities and standards, as well as by improving cross-border e-commerce. The Project will be implemented by the International Trade Centre in close collaboration with national partners.</p><p>The Project will target selected sectors / value chains in each country based on the export potential and accounting for participation of women in the labour force in the sector. Each intervention will be customized to meet specific needs of the beneficiary countries. A 6-month inception phase will be carried out to calibrate the project approach and customise it to each country individual needs. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Enhancing the trade potential of Central Asian countries by providing SMEs with essential trade intelligence information on markets, trade flows, tariffs and import requirements, mandatory quality requirements and standards as well as by strengthening trade ties between the European Union and four Central Asian partners.</p>