DUSHANBE, August 11, 2014, Asia-Plus -- A special 6-day learning course on ISO 9001:2008 certified by the International Registry of Certified Auditors (IRCA) will be held for Tajik textile and clothing stakeholders in the city of Norak from August 11 to August 16, 2014.

According to Saidmumin Kamolov, National Program Manager, International Trade Center (ITC), the main objective of the training is in preparing the local lead auditors on ISO 9001.

This training is organized under ITC project, Strengthening Export Competitiveness of SMEs in the Textile and Clothing Sector and Enhancing Trade Support Institutional Capacities in Tajikistan, which is funded by the Government of Switzerland within its Trade Cooperation Program (TCP) in Tajikistan.

The training reportedly gives an opportunity for the representatives from the textile and clothing enterprises and local business support services organizations to learn about principles of implementing and realization of Quality Management System according to ISO 9001 standard, and also to explain the audit process covering audit planning, conduct, reporting and follow up activities in accordance with ISO 9001.

The workshop will be conducted by the ITC international consultant Mr. Subhash Arora.  According to him, the ISO 9001:2008 quality management system is generic in nature and applicable to all companies, regardless of the type and size of the business, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and they are applicable to all categories of goods and services.  Mr. Arora says, “One of the main advantages of the ISO 9001:2008 is its focus on the "process" management of the activity and the system approach in the field of quality assurance.  Implementation of the ISO 9001 standards will allow a company to improve the effectiveness of the quality management system in meeting customer requirements.”

The participants successfully taken a written exam get the certificate issued by German company “TUV NORD CERT CmbH” and are valid for three years.

The present project is component FOUR of the Trade Cooperation Program (TCP) in Tajikistan and aims to increase the export competitiveness of the textile and clothing (T&C) sector, by providing sector specific support to SMEs and relevant trade support institutions (TSIs), as well as supporting respective stakeholders in taking a strategic approach to the sector’s development. It will also explore the challenges and development potential of the tourism and handicraft sectors in Tajikistan, outlining relevant trade related technical assistance priorities.

Within its Cooperation Strategy for 2012-2015, Switzerland focuses on four sectors in Tajikistan; Health, Rule of Law, Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, and Private Sector Development.  The overall goal of Swiss Cooperation in Tajikistan is to support the transition process in the country through contributing to economic development and by helping build institutions and systems which are responsive to the population’s needs.