[Index]
REACHING OUT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR
IN CENTRAL ASIA
New UNECE "Multiplier Point" Centre to disseminate trade,
industry and enterprise development materials in Kyrgyzstan
Geneva, 31 May 2001
Most transition economies have a pressing need to boost their
private sector in order to improve their economies and lower unemployment. However, due to
limited access to information technology and libraries as well as a shortage of relevant
literature in national languages, the private sector in many of these countries lacks
important management and business policy information.
In recognition of this need, the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe (UNECE) is launching a network of Multiplier Point Centres in cooperation with
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and trade and business organizations that work with
industry, entrepreneurs and small business.
The first Multiplier Point Centre in central Asia will operate under
the auspices of the Corporate Technologies Centre in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, an NGO promoting
SME participation in technology-driven businesses. The opening ceremony will be held in
Bishkek today, 31 May 2001.
Multiplier Point Centres will distribute practical guidelines, manuals,
reports and other forms of information to the business community, including start-up
entrepreneurs as well as to local, regional and national authorities in charge of
developing an enabling environment for trade, industry and enterprise. Materials will be
supplied to the Centres in the official UN languages and the Centres will be encouraged to
translate them into local languages.
The Centres will also be provided with regular information on practical
results from the work of the UNECE in trade, industry and enterprise development,
including copies of documents and publications. One particular area of focus will be best
practices related to enhancing the role of women in business and, in particular, women as
entrepreneurs.
This Multiplier Point programme has been designed to help bridge the
gap between work done at the UNECE in Geneva and the many potential beneficiaries in
member countries that the United Nations does not have the resources to reach.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Virginia Cram-Martos
Chief, Trade and Investment Promotion Section
Trade Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel : +(41 22) 917 27 45
Fax : +(41 22) 917 00 37
E-mail : [email protected]
Ref: ECE/TRADE/01/08