OREANDA-NEWS. March 17, 2011. The presentation of the new project that had concerted efforts of partners from the European Union and Turkmenistan took place in Ashgabat to mark the third anniversary of the establishment of the Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. 
The aim of the project entitled “Turkmen-European Advanced Chamber EmpoweRment-(TEACHER)” is to provide assistance in advanced training of Turkmen entrepreneurs and specialists of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan in the context of further development and support for small and medium businesses in our country.

The national social and economic development programme for the period till 2020 stipulates that the share of the entrepreneurial sector in the GDP volume will increase up to 70%. The fulfilment of this task requires that the Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan expands the scope of activity, improves the quality of services provided to small and medium businesses, expands and promotes international cooperation and integration in global economy.

The partners under the project are the Institute for Economic Development (WIFI) of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and two public organisations Sequa (Germany) and Hilfswerk Austria (Austria) that aim their strategies at assisting in development of private sector enterprises. in the development of the private sector. The WIFI ranks among top institutions dedicated to professional and advanced training.

The workshops and trainings under this project will be conducted at the Business School of the Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs. Trainers will be EU project trainers. Within two years the project is to implement such components as methodology development for stimulating SME cooperation, search for business partners, training of women entrepreneurs and exports and business start-up consulting. The short-term objectives include modernisation of the existing subdivisions of the Union and establishment of new ones in the regions to meet the needs of SMEs, etc. Also, the project activities include study tours to the partner countries to study the European practices in private sector development.

The project partners from the EU emphasized that its objectives included the study and adoption of best entrepreneurial practices of their Turkmen counterparts.