(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 18. The Azerbaijan
Microfinance Association (AMFA) is implementing a project to
support the development of business and professional associations
as the lead executor of the 'Associations of the Future' project
consortium, Executive Director of AMFA Jhale Hajiyeva told trend .
Hajiyeva noted that other partners of the consortium are the
Union of Disabled People's Organizations (UDPO) and 'Finance and
Social Innovation Consulting' company.
"The project is funded by the US Agency for International
Development (USAID). The project aims to strengthen the role of
business and professional associations in the country's economic
development in Azerbaijan by improving the skills of associations
that will be involved in the project to expand inclusive economic
opportunities and contribute to economic welfare and business,
hence professional associations play a very important role in any
society," she stressed.
"By supporting and representing various sectors, associations
have a great deal of potential to drive economic growth and expand
economic opportunities. Business associations are also seen as a
useful platform for businesses to seek market entry, create and
share a new knowledge base, and perform other core functions," the
executive director said.
In addition, as to Hajiyeva, associations provide a suitable
platform for member organizations to create and implement
strategies, norms and standards that lead not only to increase
market share and profits, but also to increase the social impact of
their activities.
"Within the framework of the project, it is planned to provide
direct assistance to 15 business and professional associations
within three years," she added.
The executive director also noted that a preliminary study of
business and professional associations in Azerbaijan was carried
out.
"The main purpose of this study was to assess the qualitative
and quantitative aspects of the situation in the development of
business and professional associations in Azerbaijan. This study
was the first in the country and covered the entire sector,
including registered business and professional associations with a
membership base," Hajiyeva said. The results of this study will be
used to develop a training program for capacity building. According
to the results of the research, most associations face financial
difficulties when implementing the measures provided for by the
charter."
Moreover, as she stressed, most of the associations face
difficulties such as limited capacity, lack of qualified
fundraisers to attract new financial resources; 41 percent of
associations do not have enough qualified personnel to effectively
fulfill the tasks provided for by the charter.
According to Hajiyeva, the most demanded knowledge and the
skills of both management and staff are project development and
execution, as well as organizational/planning skills.
"ICT skills and communication in foreign language(s) are also
important skills. Only 28 percent of associations have internal
policies and regulations regarding the employment of disabled
people and the creation of accessible jobs for them. 59 percent of
organizations don't have such a policy or regulations. Very few
associations have offices and buildings for people with
disabilities," she concluded.
AMFA was officially established in November 2004 by being
registered as a public association for the purpose of advancing the
interests of the microfinance industry in support of sustainable
and equitable economic growth in Azerbaijan.
The role of AMFA is to support its members in understanding this
environment and bringing structure to the overall microfinance
industry. As of today, it has 27 members including 18 non-bank
credit organizations, seven banks, one credit union, and one
international foundation.