BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Japan will provide a grant of over $2.7 million for the development of women's entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan, Trend reports referring to the Ministry for Support of Mahalla (Quarters) and Family of Uzbekistan.
According to the information, the Ministry for Support of Mahalla and Family of Uzbekistan signed a grant agreement with international partners for the implementation of the project "Enhancing Economic Opportunities for Rural Women in Uzbekistan", which will be implemented by the ministry in remote villages of Jizzakh and Fergana regions with the support of the World Bank.
It is noted that the purpose of the project is to develop entrepreneurial skills among women living in remote rural areas of the country and are included in the so-called "women's notebook", as well as to provide employment and expand economic opportunities for their families.
The project will be funded by a grant of $2.728 million from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), which will implementing the relevant project activities in 2021-2024 in rural areas of Furkat, Sokh, Yazyavan and Kushtepa districts of Fergana region, as well as Yangiabad, Bakhmal, Farish and Zaamin districts of Jizzakh region.
The project consists of two stages. During the first phase, 3,500 women living in the above-mentioned districts and in need of social protection will undergo training to develop knowledge in the field of financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills.
During the second stage, women will be involved in entrepreneurial activity and will be able to implement 350 business projects in various areas. For their implementation, grants totaling $1.5 million will be allocated. Business projects financed by local commercial banks will also be implemented.
The ministry also says that to develop women's entrepreneurship, more than 224,000 women received preferential loans totaling 6.9 trillion soums ($648 million). To support this activity, the authorities attracted Xalq Bank (People’s Bank) and established the Centers for Women's Entrepreneurship in 14 regions of the country.
It is noted that women in Uzbekistan account for over 30 percent of commercial bank clients who receive microloans. Thus, more than 172,000 women received microfinance totaling 4.9 trillion soums ($460 million). As a result, the number of women starting their own businesses has increased by 45,000 people a year.
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