The 1st International Exhibition on Infrastructure Development in Tajikistan was held 13 - 15 October in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exhibition featured three major industries; Telecommunications and Technology, Building and Construction, and Mining. A total of 53 international companies exhibited at the event (22 telecommunications, 25 construction, and 6 mining).

Along with many Tajik companies there were exhibitors from Russia, Turkey, Germany, Austria, China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Hundreds more local and international firms also attended the event with over 6,000 people in attendance. Participating EDP clients made key contacts, signed sales deals, and won the top prizes awarded to the best exhibitors.

During the Strategic Action Planning (SAP) process for several EDP clients, Dushanbe Relationship Managers (RMs) identified international exhibitions as a way for these companies to build brand recognition, find potential partners, and increase sales. When five EDP clients in the telecommunications and construction sectors - Babilon-M, Babilon-T, MKF Networks, Status and Petrotal - expressed their plans to participate in the upcoming exhibition, the RMs immediately referred them to EDP Trade Advisor Pulod Amirbekov. Armed with the EIP product "Trade Fair Preparation", Pulod conducted a workshop in August to prepare these 5 EDP clients for the exhibition. The workshop covered important areas such as identifying trade fairs, Trade Fair Workbook/logistics checklist, space location, booth design, product promotion, guest interaction, and contact follow-up. Following the workshop, Pulod met individually with each company for individual consultations.

Highlights from the exhibition are as follows:

The Babilon-M and Babilon-T booth received first prize in the Telecommunications Exhibition due to the unique design and the innovative information content. In addition, Babilon-M received 1st prize for superior services offered, by allowing customers to sign up for and receive cellular service at the exhibition. It was Babilon's goal to position itself as the telecommunications leader in Tajikistan through superior presentation. Bakhtiyor Muminov, Technical Director of Babilon-M, stated, "Participation in the exhibition helped establish Babilon-M as the leading cellular provider in Tajikistan. We have been able to effectively position our services in the competitive cellular market". Babilon-M also made contacts with a Russian firm that will provide internet content for Babiloon-M's cellular subscribers. They are currently discussing the arrangement and hope to have the additional service available within the month.

Petrotal received the 1st place prize in design for their booth in the Construction Exhibition. They impressed visitors with their European designs of ceramic bathroom fixtures and under-floor heating systems. Petrotal indicated that the exhibition was a great success as it introduced them to many potential clients and business partners, one of which they have already started working with.

Newly formed Internet Service Provider MKF Networks presented its unique TV based Internet portal that offers the Tajik population an affordable alternative to costly computer systems for home access to the Internet. MKF owner and director Nurullo Fozilov said, "This exhibition allowed my team to market the company's brand and increase awareness of our affordable price plans and quality service. I will generate enough new clients from this exhibition to last the rest of the year."

Printing and Advertising firm Status found two new major corporate clients, as well as numerous additional retail clients, with its attractive displays of printing materials, advertising banners and posters. They received especially large interest in their banner displays and silk screening services.

The International Exhibition on Infrastructure Development was a tremendous success for the participating EDP clients. EDP Trade Advisor Pulod Amirbekov provided the assistance that ensured each company would maximize its benefit from the event. This effort led to new business relationships and customers for each of these five companies and will benefit current and future clients as they prepare for upcoming trade fairs and exhibitions. Pulod's only regret is that EDP has no mining clients in Tajikistan, because then EDP clients could have received 1st prize in all three of the exhibition categories.