Tell us a little about yourself and your company PEM Consult?
My name is Hanning Bungards, I’m German, I’m born in Munich, I studied in Hamburg, I’m economist. For 25 years, I’m work for PEM consult as a Project manager and in the last 12 years – as a managing director and partner. PEM Consult was founded 45 years ago to support the development of private enterprises worldwide within the framework of German and European development cooperation.
2. How does PEM Consult support startups in Tajikistan?
We were awarded by GIZ to implement one component of their large program – the promotion of startups in Tajikistan, because we have a huge experience gained with our German partners in empowering young people implementing their business ideas. First, we raise awareness among the youth, among the students, among the people who has ideas to create a new business idea. Then we select business ideas from people that submit this to us and create. Them in a two-day bootcamp together with our Tajik partners. From these 400 participants of bootcamp which were implemented with Tajik partners, 100 applied for three-month incubation program which is three months where each participant develops his ideas, his business case on an individual base together with intensive training that accompanies and happens.
3. Please tell us about your trip to the regions.
First of all, I should tell that it was great, to see not only Dushanbe and Khujand, but the regions of Tajikistan. I’ve been in Zarafshan valley, in Rasht valley – I enjoyed it very much and I had a great experience with people there. They are very honest people, very hard-working people and they want to support their family, their community by own work. I think by supporting them in a different, but adjusted way to the surrounding in Zarafshan valley and in Rasht valley we can contribute to development of these rural areas in a very specific way.
4. Share a few tips for aspiring startups.
- First of all – be self-confident, you have a good idea, I’m sure
- Then, cooperate, exchange and learn among each other. Don’t keep the thinks as a secret. Share with you colleagues, with your friends, discuss it and then, as an economist I will suggest calculating.
- Do not think everything will go well, do a very conservative calculation, be on the safe side and hopefully you have success.
5. What are your plans for future?
After successful implementation of bootcamps and incubation programs in Dushanbe and Khujand, we want to support entrepreneurs and startups in the Zarafshan valley and in Rasht valley. In the Zarafshan valley we want to start from Panjakent, Ayni and Kuhistoni Mastchoh. And also, in Rusht valley in four districts. There, we plan to adjust our services. We will have a focus on agrarian products, on packaging, on processing of high-quality agrarian products that are produced specially in Kuhistoni Mastchoh and we propose to produce honey in Rasht valley.