DUSAHNBE, October 17, Asia-Plus -- An official press conference on the occasion of presentation of the European bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Business Advisory Services BAS Program in Tajikistan was held at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex in Dushanbe on October 17.  

The official representatives of BASP from London Headquarters, Regional and Country program offices and the Head of EBRD in Tajikistan addressed their speech to the representatives of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), consulting companies and international organizations. They informed participants about the program goals and activities, future plans and perspectives, the results achieved and answered the questions of mass media representatives.

Ms. Sitora Bobojonova, Project Officer, BASP Tajikistan, said the BAS Program operates within the EBRD framework more than 12 years and currently is being implemented in 18 countries of Eastern Europe, CIS and the Baltic States. Starting October 2001 the BAS Program began its operation in Central Asia and since April 2007 BASP was initiated in Tajikistan. The program is funded by Early Transition Countries (ETC) Fund.

The mission of BASP is based on two main objectives: assisting SMEs in their business development and supporting the professional development of local consulting companies.

Both of these objectives are aimed to support the process of transition to market economy in the BASP’s operation countries.

To achieve its goals and objectives the BAS Program works directly with individual SME representatives, providing the assistance in getting the practical business advices from the professional consultants. At the same time, the Program improves the capacity of local consultants to meet the enterprise needs. 

The assistance of BAS Program consists of three components: assistance in project initiation and implementation; monitoring and evaluation of projects; and providing a grant to cover 50% of the project cost.