The World Bank and the IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, on March 1 organized the first Conference on Elevating Global Access through E-Commerce (E-GATE) in Tajikistan.
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. 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 was an important platform for prominent e-commerce stakeholders not only from Tajikistan but also from neighboring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The event also attracted participation from global e-commerce giants like Amazon and Alibaba.
“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’s 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.
