DUSHANBE, March 1, 2024 - The World Bank and the IFC - the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, kicked off today the first Conference on Elevating Global Access through E-Commerce (E-GATE) in Tajikistan with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); and the Switzerland State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
In Central Asia, e-commerce is emerging as a powerful tool to tap into global markets for locally made products, modernize traditional supply chains, and foster inclusive growth by providing accessible employment opportunities. Globally, in the last decade, the e-commerce has surged at an average annual growth rate of 20 percent, while traditional brick-and-mortar stores have struggled to keep pace. E-commerce transcends geographical barriers, leveraging the tech-savvy workforce and overcoming the challenges posed by Tajikistan's landlocked geography.
The recent adoption of the Law "On Electronic Commerce" in Tajikistan further reflects the government's commitment to regulating and protecting the rights of citizens and entities engaged in E-commerce activities. This legal framework aims to ensure the smooth functioning of E-commerce operations in the country.
The conference is an important platform for prominent e-commerce stakeholders not only from Tajikistan but also from the neighboring countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The event attracted participation from esteemed global counterparts, including renowned firms, policymakers, and international e-commerce giants like Amazon, Alibaba, Lenovo, Coursera, VISA, Uzum Group, the Universal Postal Union, and the Central Bank of Brazil, among others. Additionally, the conference featured demo sessions where Tajikistan-based companies like Alif, Babilon, Obbo, and Mavsim showcased their innovative solutions.
"Recognizing the pivotal role e-commerce plays in modern economies, the World Bank is actively supporting Tajikistan in its journey to develop appropriate platforms, including through the E-GATE program. With the E-GATE program, we offer the Tajik small and medium enterprises highly valuable memberships in global B2B e-commerce platforms to enjoy market access that was deprived offline, provide technical support to the government on drafting enabling legislation, and channel global knowledge to Tajik e-sellers through capacity building activities," said Ozan Sevimli, the World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan.
The conference partners included Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan; Agency of Innovations and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan; State Unitary Enterprise "Smart City Dushanbe"; United States Agency for International Development (USAID); International Trade Centre (ITC); Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE); Aga Khan Foundation; Public Fund Civil Internet Policy Initiative; National Association of Small and Medium Businesses of Tajikistan; E-commerce Participants Association of Tajikistan; and Association of Microfinance Organizations of Tajikistan.
The conference also marked signing of a number of important memoranda of cooperation, which are set to further foster collaboration between various associations, including between: the National Association of Small and Medium Businesses of Tajikistan and the Association of Sellers of Uzbekistan; the E-commerce Participants Association of Tajikistan and the Association of E-commerce of Uzbekistan; the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Tajikistan and the Fintech Association of Uzbekistan.
The conference's overarching goal was to facilitate knowledge and resource exchange among small and medium enterprises in Tajikistan, as well as with regional and global players in the E-commerce ecosystem. Through policy dialogues addressing crucial aspects such as digital connectivity, logistics, digital skills, payment systems, and regulatory frameworks, the conference laid the groundwork for productive relationships between Tajikistan and global resources. This event is expected to serve as the initial step in establishing conducive conditions, implementing follow-up policies, and unlocking investment opportunities in the e-commerce sector.
