Tashkent, Uzbekistan [June 7, 2023] – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and German Sparkassenstiftung (DSIK) had a meeting at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change to discuss further joint implementation of Green & Climate-Resilient Business Plans. Representatives of GIZ, SQB, and MK Bank also joined the meeting to provide valuable insights and contribute to in-depth discussions.
GGGI and DSIK have forged a partnership since signing a Memorandum of Understanding on ‘Green Entrepreneurial Education and Development of the Agribusiness Sector in the Republic of Uzbekistan’ to strengthen the capacity building of entrepreneurs in the agri-business sector on June 27th, 2022. The collaboration was set to support DSIK’s “Business Plan Seminars”, which aim to promote environmentally friendly agri-business and facilitate access to finance for young entrepreneurs.
In response to the government’s efforts to transform Uzbekistan’s economy towards a Green Economy by 2030, GGGI and DSIK have jointly developed three templates for ‘Green Business Plans’ and one template for ‘Climate-Resilient Business Plans’. These templates are designed to foster green agricultural production through the implementation of two key technologies: water-efficient irrigation systems and the plantation of trees for windbreaks. The Green & Climate Resilient Business Plans were built on DSIK’s Business Plan Template used in its seminar on “How to develop a business plan and talk to banks”.
Ms. Suna Park, advisor to the Minister at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, opened the meeting with remarks on Uzbekistan’s progress in the transition to the green economy. She emphasized that Uzbekistan has made significant progress in implementing its climate change commitments and accelerating the transition to a green economy, as outlined in the Government’s Climate Change Strategy 2021–2023 and Strategy on Transition to a Green Economy 2019–2030. Additionally, Ms. Suna Park pointed out the importance of access to international expertise in capacity building and human capital development to strengthen the development process of a green economy.
In Agreement with Ms. Park’s remark, Dr. Aaron Russell, GGGI Uzbekistan Country Representative, shared GGGI Uzbekistan’s advancements in the promotion of and contribution to the green economy transition in Karakalpakstan. He introduced the Business Development Platform, available as an app (JasilAwil) and a website (GreenAral), funded by KOICA and implemented with technical support of Consort Group LLC., German Sparkassenstiftung, GIZ Eco-Aral and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change. The platform was created to impact Karakalpakstan’s socio-economic development by empowering farmers and entrepreneurs with high-quality information and advice accessible in a single location. Dr. Russell highlighted that the platform serves as a neutral one-stop information source for stakeholders. Additionally, he briefed on the templates for ‘Green Business Plans’, developed by GGGI and DSIK, for green investment mobilization and expressed gratitude to DSIK for the productive cooperation.
Dr. Mathias Wangler, DSIK Uzbekistan Country Representative, added his reflections and provided an overview of using green business plans in the German Sparkasse banks. He noted that in Germany, entrepreneurs cannot apply for startup credit if their businesses do not include a green component since ecological aspects are closely considered by German banks. Dr. Wangler then shared DSIK’s experiences with conducting business training for farmers and SMEs including the latest program titled “Business Plan Seminars” started last year. This year, 30 seminars are planned to be conducted between October and November to facilitate capacity building. Dr. Wangler expressed keen interest in continuing cooperation with GGGI in order to develop joint business plans and organize training for farmers and SMEs, thereby expanding the agro-business sector and stimulating the adaptation of green business models in rural regions. Dr. Wangler highlighted the shared goals between GGGI and DSIK and their expertise to ensure fruitful collaborations in the future.
Ms. Sarah Appelt, DSIK Uzbekistan Long-term Expert, delivered a presentation on the green business plan templates developed by GGGI and DSIK as a part of their collaboration. These templates consist of one Climate-resilient Business Plan regarding a Crop production farm with a drip-irrigation system and three Green Business Plans. The three Green Business Plans cover orchard farms with drip-irrigation systems and tree windbreak protection, crop production farms with tree windbreak protection, and wheat production farms with sprinkle irrigation systems and tree windbreak protection.
Ms. Sarah Appelt, DSIK Uzbekistan Long-term Expert, delivered a presentation on the green business plan templates developed by GGGI and DSIK as a part of their collaboration. These templates consist of one Climate-resilient Business Plan regarding a Crop production farm with a drip-irrigation system and three Green Business Plans. The three Green Business Plans cover orchard farms with drip-irrigation systems and tree windbreak protection, crop production farms with tree windbreak protection, and wheat production farms with sprinkle irrigation systems and tree windbreak protection.
They concluded their meeting by reaffirming their commitment to collaboration in promoting sustainability and resilience, aiming to drive positive change in the country’s agribusiness sector and beyond. The partnership between GGGI and DSIK holds great promise in advancing environmentally responsible entrepreneurship and fostering a transition to a green economy in Uzbekistan.