The Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ - German Agency for
Technical Co-operation), from Eschborn, near Frankfurt in Germany, is an organisation
which acts on behalf of the German Federal Government. Its work covers a wide range of
economic and technical co-operation tasks as well as humanitarian and emergency
interventions. The governing body is the Bundesministerium fr wirtschaftliche
Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ- Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and
Development), which is the central planning and funding institution.
The GTZ was founded in 1975 and is one of the worlds largest service enterprises
in the field of development co-operation. It is a limited liability company, wholly owned
by the German Government, with annual commissions worth over DM 1,7 billion. It is a
not-for-profit enterprise and any operational surplus is reinvested for self-financed
measures in partner countries.
The GTZ is currently working on over 1,300 projects in over 135 countries world-wide
and has implemented, or is implementing, more than 250 programmes in 26 countries of
Central and Eastern Europe.
The bulk of GTZs work comes from the German Government, but third party
commissions from international organisations and other governments account for an
increasing proportion of activity. Commissioning organisations include the European Union,
the World Bank and UNHCR, while foreign government clients include Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait.
Programmes in Azerbaijan
GTZ is currently working for a number of development projects on behalf of BMZ:
- A project supporting private initiatives in agriculture began in July 1997. Its current
phase lasts till June 2001. The project assists the Department of Agrarian Reforms in the
Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the Agrarian Reform Commission and agricultural
administration at Rayon level in Zaqatala. The project supports the provision of
information and training on agricultural production and farm management for private
farmers. It promotes initiatives in establishing private businesses and organisations for
agricultural information and extension, agricultural credit, mechanisation, seed
production, artificial insemination, veterinary services and irrigation management. The
regional administration is assisted in preparing regional development and land use plans.
At national level the project supports a policy dialogue on guiding agricultural
development in a market oriented environment.
- Since January 1998, a project to promote small and medium scale private enterprises
(SME) in Azerbaijan is being implemented in co-operation with the State Committee on
Anti-Monopoly and Support for Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan (AMC). The project is now in
its second phase and focuses on agro-processing, transport and construction in the region
of Sheki, Gach, Zaqatala and Balakan. The project promotes the establishment of consulting
and advisory services in these regions to assist emerging and already operating
entrepreneurs in the above mentioned fields. It also offers training to staff of private
firms. The project is meant to enhance the recently initiated measures by the Azerbaijan
Government to establish a broad supportive structure for private SME in the near future.
- In August 1998, an Integrated Food Security Project was initiated in
Xisi Rayon. Its co-operating partner is the Rayon administration. The project assists the
poorer sections of the population in the region through improving production and provision
of food and better health care. It facilitates provision of seed and mechanisation
services to farmers and provides training to enhance their management skills. The project,
through a programme of "food for work", also supports the rehabilitation of
educational and health facilities, rural water supplies and rural access roads.
- In October 1997, together with the Office of the President and Parliament, a project of
legal reform started. The project addresses Parliament, State Administration and Judges.
By providing consulting services to these institutions, drafts for civil codes are being
worked out and judges trained in the application of the new laws. The public is being
informed about the progress of legal reforms to foster trust in the legal system.
- Since September 1999 the GTZ provides consulting services to the Constitutional Court of
Azerbaijan. Through seminars and consultations for members of staff, the management of the
court is to be raised to meet international legal standards. By improving the Public
Relation activities of the court, the legal profession is to be made aware of the
generally accepted principles of interpreting the constitution.
Updated October 2000
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