This course is designed to assist professionals from ministries of agriculture, ministries of trade and economy and other government and related authorities that are involved in the formulation (or upgrading) and implementation of trade or agricultural policies to provide practical advice to agri-food businesses in realizing export potentials in the post-Soviet countries. 

These may include officials from Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries; Ministries of Trade, Commerce, Industry; Ministries of Finance, Economy; and Food Safety, Sanitary, Phytosanitary, Veterinary, and other authorities in the post-Soviet region. The course is aimed at 12 states, namely, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

Agriculture has been and will remain an important component of the post-Soviet economies. Today, agricultural production in the region has become a significant driver of the economies of independent states - providing jobs, supporting development, and guaranteeing food security – all important elements of an independent state.

The increasing share of agricultural products from post-Soviet countries in the global market highlighted the need to support export promotion programs. Most countries of the region have adopted and implemented such programs, however, often they are not fully aligned with the global best practices in this field. 

Export promotion schemes can play an important role in development of the countries that seek to make exports an engine for economic growth. To facilitate domestic firms’ entry into the export market and support subsequent export sales, a number of countries run active export promotion programs. They help firms to learn about foreign demand for their products, establish relationships with importers, identify new distribution channels, and overcome administrative or trade frictions such as customs procedures and foreign regulations or product standards. The success of export strategies is based on detailed know-how of the target market including the economic, cultural, and ecological dimensions. 

This course is offered free of charge as a part of FAO’s Transforming food systems and facilitating market access and integration in Europe and Central Asia and will be conducted in Russian language over a period of four weeks, and organized in three modules. The course will be delivered online via UNITAR’s e-learning platform and will take place from September 6 to October 1, 2021.

Limited slots are available and will be subject to a selection process conducted by FAO and UNITAR, taking into account, in particular, the geographical distribution and gender balance. A UNITAR-FAO Certificate of Completion will be issued to participants who successfully complete all course-related assignments and assessments.

More information and online registration

Registration deadline is August 20, 2021, or while slots are available. Please register early. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.