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The Project objective was to improve the competitiveness of selected SMEs in competitive sectors of Kazakhstan (energy, metallurgy and mining) by implementing a targeted and comprehensive Supplier Development Program based on international practices.
Using the experience from Ireland, UK, Czeck Republic and Serbia, a Supplier Development Service (hereinafter - SDS) was established whose main role was to seek to increase the use of local resources and expand the links between SMEs and large local and international corporations operating in Kazakhstan and enable Kazakhstani SMEs to become certified suppliers. We have assisted more than 100 SME accreditation/attestation processes in the supplier databases of large buyers NCOC, TCO, KPO, ERG. Finally, we have assisted 39 SMEs in obtaining certification of their ISO quality and environmental management systems, API and ASME certificates for their products, PMI-PMP certifications for their personnel and even very specific certifications, such as NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and International Well Control Forum certificates.
As considerable capacity building to the SDS staff and SMEs’ managers and employees has been delivered within the project, with more than 30 trainings being delivered in the country. Financial support for certification was a cornerstone of the project, having dealt with all the administrative, financial and tax procedures in order SMEs to be reimbursed their certification costs.
