LocationsAuthor: Ma’mur Kudratov
© UNDP Uzbekistan
Farima Muradi’s journey: starting with sewing to advancing her craft with IT skills
Today information technology (IT) has become an integral part of our lives. Entrepreneurs and skilled professionals who can leverage it effectively are unlocking the vast opportunities to market their products. In particular, the integration of traditional crafts with the digital world can yield even more impressive results. Farima Muradi, the protagonist of our story, stands as a vivid example of achieving success by harmonizing traditional craftsmanship with modern technologies.
A passion that sparked professionalism
Born in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, Farima developed an interest in sewing from a young age. She began her sewing journey at the age of 15. While living in Afghanistan, she attended sewing courses for over a year, striving to master this traditional craft.
After relocating to Termez in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region, she continued to expand her skills. Six months after settling in Termez, Farima enrolled in a three-month sewing course organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the project "Enhancing the capacities of Surkhandarya region to educate and train Afghan citizens" funded by the European Union.
© UNDP Uzbekistan
Training process and practice
Through the courses offered by the EU-funded UNDP project, Farima acquired a set of new knowledge and skills she had not encountered before.
“For instance,” she explains, “where I studied before, no one taught me about standards. During my studies here, I learnt essential techniques like taking measurements and sewing in accordance with the established standards. This has been instrumental in shaping the skills I needed to become a professional seamstress.”
During her training, Farima began taking orders from clients to sew at home. Without a sewing machine of her own, she brought materials to the Afghan Citizens Training Center, where, with her instructors’ guidance, she completed orders and delivered them to her clients.
After successfully completing the course, Farima continued to hone her craft. Eager to gain more professional experience, she joined a local sewing workshop company employing 15 women.
“At the workshop, I knew more about sewing standards than anyone else,” she recalls. “As a result, I was given an enormous workload. But the pay didn’t reflect my efforts, so I had no choice but to leave.”
Determined to chart her own path, Farima decided to start a small sewing workshop with a team of five friends and they participated in the competition for the mini grants to launch their business. They have successfully acquired a grant of 1,000 USD. The biggest hurdles were securing funds and obtaining essential equipment. Sourcing raw materials and equipment was far from easy, but by making the most of every available resource, they managed to launch the workshop.
Farima’s initial difficulties were tied to finances. Raw materials had to be purchased in cash and were often imported from abroad.
© UNDP Uzbekistan
“We allocated some of our money to rent, some to a sewing machine, and some to other necessary equipment. We got the business up and running and showcased our results to the UN representatives. Honestly, the visitors were amazed that we’d achieved so much with so little funding” Farima says proudly.
From local markets to global exports
Farima remains an active participant in seminars and events held in Termez, particularly those focused on the topic of the “Entrepreneurial Woman.” These gatherings have provided her with both inspiration and practical business insights.
“No matter how busy we were, I always made time for the seminars,” she says. “Each one featured business representatives. Every time someone shared their story—about their work and how they exported their products, it sparked the same ambition in me. That’s when I decided to give exporting a try.”
At these seminars, women entrepreneurs shared their experiences, discussing their mistakes, triumphs, and strategies for boosting income with minimal investment, as well as how they broke into markets abroad. These stories ignited Farima’s determination to pursue exporting herself.
She began with Afghanistan, where WhatsApp is a primary communication tool. In the early stages of her business, she launched a WhatsApp channel to promote her products and even ran promotions, gifting bags she’d made to boost visibility. Today, Farima exports her creations to four Afghan provinces, as well as to Germany and England.
“For exports, I choose Uzbek national fabrics,” she says with pride. “They captivate foreigners. I’ve also blended Uzbek fabrics with Afghan national dresses to craft fresh, innovative designs.”
© UNDP Uzbekistan
A journey from sewing to IT…
As her business grew, so did Farima’s need for IT-related skills. Initially, even basic tasks like designing a logo required outsourcing, which meant extra costs and delays.
This prompted her to pursue IT training, seizing available educational opportunities. Now, she independently manages her business operations, tracks expenses and revenue, and leverages digital tools to engage with clients.
Looking ahead, Farima aims to expand her export reach through IT and establish an online trading system. For her, technology is no longer just a tool—it’s a vital driver of her business’s growth.
Ambitious Goals for the Future
Farima has plenty of aspirations and goals. She dreams of building her own brand and elevating it to an international stage.
“At first, customers ordered only one item, now, because my dresses blend Uzbek and Afghan styles, a single client might order up to 10 pieces. In the future, I want to create a personal brand on the scale of the world-famous Chanel, open my own factory, and take my business global.”
