Within the UNDP Joint Programme a UN Volunteer from Japan holds series of workshops on business digitalization in three districts of Karakalpakstan

One of the challenges in Nukus is the access to the major markets because of its physical distance from Tashkent and Samarkand, those economic centers. Therefore, it is essential for local people to find an alternative platform to sell their products in order to increase and stabilize income. Digitalization is considered the key solution to this challenge.

Within its Joint Programme with UNFPA "Building the resilience of local communities against health, environmental and economic insecurities in the Aral Sea region", funded by the Government of Japan”, UNDP attracted an International Specialist from Japan on Income Generation issues to promote the use of e-commerce, mobile payment and social media in local people’s activities through face to face workshops.

The four workshops are focused on gathering information on OLX and Pinterest, posting product details and finding customers on Telegram and Zoodmall, receiving money through Payme or CLICK and advertising products globally on Facebook and Instagram.

The series of workshops cover Bozatau, Karauzyak and Chimbay districts. The workshop consists of approximately 20 local entrepreneurs for each district, especially women and youth. Its goal is empowerment of local people in business activities, by advertising their products on e-commerce sites and social media and receiving money through mobile payment apps by themselves. It enables both local entrepreneurs and customers to complete shopping at home. They can save money on the rent and save time of the commute. Moreover, given the current pandemic, it’s considered as a safer approach.

Through the whole event, local entrepreneurs are expected to participate in digital platform to expand their business scale resulting in increased income plus expand their business horizon reach. Addition to it, facilitate elevating the IT literacy and has much potential for further digital approaches.

Since 2020 Joint Programme funded by the Government of Japan has been supporting development of rural entrepreneurship in three target districts, through organizing business development, skills building trainings and provision of relevant equipment to local business initiators.

One of the Programme’s key goals is to enhance income generation opportunities of the affected by the disappearance of the Aral Sea population through inclusive business initiatives, promotion of investments for job creation, as well as through improving access to basic services.