Bishkek, 16 September 2022 – Today we are finishing our Mentorship programme that was aimed to provide selected women entrepreneurs from the regions with ongoing support to nurture and accelerate their business ventures as well as to promote strong and positive role models for women entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan.

Last month, 22 entrepreneurs from Osh, Jalal-Abad, Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions were selected to participate in the Mentorship programme. During the training, the participants learned about the intricacies of business planning and the possibilities of state support for small businesses and shared their knowledge in the field of marketing, personnel management, business strategy and planning. Online seminars were also held on effective financial and sales management, marketing and effective communication with partners and customers. In addition, the mentors conducted individual consultations for their mentees on the development of business concepts for expanding their specific business, promotion and building an effective business development strategy and financial structure.

“The participants of the Programme were women who are planning to expand or create their own business, as well as entrepreneurs whose businesses were affected by the negative consequences of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The main field we looked at were those operating in the field of agriculture, food processing, tourism and trade. We hope that the Mentoring programme allowed them to open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth on the issues of effective running and developing their business from successful women entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan,” explained Aisuluu Mambetkaziyeva, coordinator of the UNDP “Aid for Trade” project.

Mentors for mentees were selected based on the similarity of their field of entrepreneurship. This allowed the participants to build long-term relationships with mentors, gain expertise and valuable advice from the experience of already successful entrepreneurs, and develop their competencies.

“I wish there were more such programmes so that we support women entrepreneurs who, in turn, will share their skills, knowledge and experience with their children! I am for a prosperous Kyrgyzstan, for educated youth, where, of course, women invest first, and especially women entrepreneurs!” says Reina Dzhanybekova, Sales Director of the Hyatt Regency Bishkek International Hotel and founder of the “Reina Kench” farm.

Asiya Gasizova is one of the Programme mentees. She is the General Director of “Sweets Caramel” LLC, where confectionery and bakery products are produced. Asia is one of the most active participants in the Programme and is always open to new knowledge. “Mentoring helps us grow in our career and build strong relationships with partners. I want to keep up with the time, which means continuous learning and improvement. For me, participation in the Programme was a very important step, as I gained new knowledge and skills in running my business, which is simply necessary for business development today. I know that many people pay a lot of money to get such training, and I was lucky enough to just become a member of this wonderful Mentorship program,” shares Asiya.

For information: The Mentorship programme was aimed at expanding the economic rights and opportunities of entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan and was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the PF “Women's forum Kurak”, with funding from the Government of Finland.