MSME Financial Institutions Expert for the Consulting Services for “Consultant Accompanying Measure Financial Sector Program MSME Financing” in Uzbekistan

Background:

After years of isolation, Uzbekistan has embarked on a rapid process of economic and political reforms with the key priorities being restructuring and privatization of state-owned enterprises, market-oriented banking sector with strong supervision as well as further improvement of the business environment for Uzbek businesses.

The reform efforts resulted in establishment of a more favorable enabling environment for private sector development within the country. Nevertheless, a number of constraints hampering the economic development such as state intervention, lack of skilled personal and low labor productivity still need to be addressed.

The financial sector in Uzbekistan is largely underdeveloped, in particular with respect to facilitation of funding for the private sector development. The financial institutions lack longer-term refinancing facilities, as the funding sources are limited in particular for private banks that have no access to government funding.

The current state of the financial sector in Uzbekistan is constraining an inclusive growth of the economy. This affects Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in general and in particular those located in rural areas and the agricultural sector. In consequence, these enterprises cannot finance required investments and are not able to develop their full potential by increasing productivity.

Objectives of the Assignment:

The main objectives are to:

• Increase a sustainable supply of medium- and long-term loans to MSMEs;
• contribute to capacity building in participating financial institutions (PFIs);  and
• increase market integration of enterprises and strengthening agricultural value chains.

Project Tasks:

1. Support the PEA in the Implementation of the Program
2. Support the PEA in the Management of the Disposition Fund
3. Provide capacity building/training measures to PFIs to improve their MSME lending and organizational competence
4. Increase the borrowers’ (MSMEs) business skills and level of financial literacy
5. Promote MSMEs development and the KfW Program through various marketing measures.