Women in Moldova get business kick-start from EU programme

Since the beginning of 2017 more than 300 Moldovan women have been trained by the EU-funded Business Academy for Women (BAW) in order to be able to start and manage their own businesses.

“The role of women in the economic development of a country is crucial,” said Iulia Costin, secretary general at the Moldovan Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure. “By supporting entrepreneurship among women, the authorities aim to develop a community focused on encouraging the entrepreneurship of women, to facilitate the exchange of experience among representatives of the beautiful sex in our society.”

Twenty-four mentors were trained to provide support to women entrepreneurs, and 10 businesses managed by women benefited from a grant of about 6000 euros each.

“I am pleased to note that Moldovan women are active, open-minded and motivated to explore the business field. The government of Moldova, through various financial instruments and national programmes to support SMEs, aims to develop a competitive business environment and, of course, a strong community of women entrepreneurs,” added Mrs Costin.

The project has contributed to the formation of a community of entrepreneurs and the creation of a National Network of Women Mentors.

“An economically independent woman is a strength not only for the family but also for society as a whole,” said Peter Gurgurov, general director ad interim of the Organisation for Development of the SME Sector (ODIMM).

The BAW project was funded by the European Union and implemented by the ODIMM, in partnership with the International Centre for the Promotion of Women in Business (ICAWB). BAW offers women in the Republic of Moldova the opportunity to realise their entrepreneurial potential by developing their business management skills and facilitates women’s access to productive technologies in order to strengthen and increase the capacity of the enterprises they manage.

Aneil Singh, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, highlighted the impact of the EU-funded Business Academy for Women Project, with the support of which it was possible to implement different activities and reset the entrepreneurial environment among women, especially in rural areas.