Within the framework of the European Commission’ s IBPP programme in Uzbekistan, four non-profit organizations from Greece and Uzbekistan formed a partnership to implement a project aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among women and young people in the Jizzak and Surkandarya Oblasts.
The partners, Centre for Business and Technological Development of Attica (KETA), Association of Consulting Engineers of Uzbekistan (UZACE), Hellenic Management Consulting Association (ELESMA) and Athens Network of Collaborating Experts (ANCE) have been working in the target regions since 2009, conducting training courses on new approaches to the development of micro and small businesses.
Specifically, one component of the project focused on innovative tools such as business clusters and business angels that have been used effectively in Europe to mitigate some of the challenges micro and small businesses face in securing financing, competing with large firms, maintaining a technological edge, marketing their products etc. Best practices from clusters created in European countries have been presented and trainees have been coached on the methodology of forming clusters.
The local authorities in Pakhtakor embraced the project from the beginning and have played an important role in promoting the objectives of the project in the community, identifying women that are interested in entrepreneurship and mobilizing them to participate in trainings and information events. Recently the Mayor and Deputy Mayor increased the commitment to supporting a pilot cluster by offering the project the use of a large, well located building.
The building will house the Centre for social and economic support of Women, including a training centre where entrepreneurs can seek advice on legal issues, taxation, business registration, marketing, business planning, etc. It will also serve as a “club” where they can network and exchange ideas and best practice. In addition, space will be provided for the micro clothing businesses that will form the cluster. The Entrepreneurship Centre has already been equipped with a computer and printer and there are plans to purchase another. Computer instruction is also on the agenda.
On March 24th and 25th the Centre for Women’s Social and Economic Support hosted their first training courses. Thirty women from the ages of 20-50 with varying degrees of experience received training in how to set up a business, registration issues, where to turn for help, how to find capital, taxation, marketing, networking, and the basics of forming a cluster. The Deputy Mayor attended the trainings and the tax authorities in Pakhtakor provided the tax expert who answered the multitude of questions from the participants regarding the tax regime.
Europa House in Tashkent provided technical support and promotional materials which ensured that the participants understood the European Union’s contribution and their support of job creation activities in Uzbekistan. The participants received certificates during the closing ceremony of the training course. The participants and the trainers also celebrated Navrouz, a holiday marking their New Year and the vernal equinox, by planting trees and flowers in the garden of the Entrepreneurship Centre.
For more information please see the project website: http://www.womeninbusiness.uz/ Contact details in Greece: Ilias Georgopoulos, Director KETA Attikis Tel: (+30) 6985617461, fax: (+30) 5780826, e-mail: keta@acsmi.gr iliastgeorgopoulos@gmail.com Laura Arsenis, ELESMA President Tel: (+30) 210 6470660, fax: (+30) 210 6470661, e-mail: sesma@hol.gr, laura.arsenis@hellenicinvestments.gr Contact details in Uzbekistan: Bakhtiyar Sadriddinov, Local Project Manager, UZACE Tel: (+998-71) 232 4359; Mobile: (+998-97) 778 43 54, e-mail: b.sadriddinov@uzace.org
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