Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A new training program on managing cross-border trade has been launched for business leaders in Uzbekistan. The businesses can enroll in free courses to improve their skills in areas ranging from international trade regulations to export procedures, transit routes, quality and compliance standards, and the specific requirements of the European Union market.

The training program for existing and potential exporters, which will also offer additional courses in the coming months, will be implemented by the Tashkent State University of Economics both online and offline.

The training was developed by the International Trade Center (ITC), which is a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.

This initiative is part of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project implemented by ITC and funded by the European Union. The training program focuses on specific challenges faced by exporters in Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries.

Elbek Khodjaev, Program Manager of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan:

— The cross-border trade training program aims to increase the knowledge and awareness of entrepreneurs about the business prospects and profit opportunities that a strong export environment provides for business. We believe that this transfer of knowledge and experience will help change the lives of foreign trade and export entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan, for the better.

ITC is working closely with the Tashkent State University of Economics to create effective and focused learning to support the reshaping of trade routes and the fresh perspectives emerging from the ongoing global transformation.

Kongratbai Sharipov, Rector, Professor of the Tashkent State University of Economics (TSUE):

— Tashkent State University of Economics highly appreciated the innovation of teaching methods within the framework of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project. The curriculum is expected to help small businesses and private entrepreneurs be better prepared to export their products regionally and internationally through hands-on exercises and real-life examples.

This summer, instructors held a series of offline seminars in Tashkent. In the coming year, it is planned to hold many seminars in the regions of Uzbekistan (Fergana, Bukhara, Khorezm and Namangan). Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive certificates with online validation. All courses are free.

Sean Lake, ITC Manager, SME Trading Academy:

- I believe that these courses, thanks to their problem-based approach, will really help participants to be better prepared for export. Our methodology for both online learning and workshops has been tried and tested and received a lot of positive feedback from instructors and participants.

The training program is expected to help Uzbek enterprises better prepare to export their products at the regional and international levels through hands-on training and real life examples.

Ready4Trade Central Asia is a four-year project funded by the EU and implemented by the International Trade Center in close cooperation with national partners.

The project aims to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by stimulating intra-regional and international trade in the countries of the region.

The beneficiaries of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project are governments, small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular women-led enterprises, and organizations that support business development.