AKIPRESS.COM - An OSCE-supported two-day roundtable discussion and workshop on promoting rural entrepreneurship for women of the South Kazakhstan Region concluded on April 21 in Shymkent.

The event was organized in partnership with the Union of Women Entrepreneurs for some 50 participants from the Parliament, the local administration of South Kazakhstan, the regional National Chamber of Entrepreneurs – Atameken, civil society and female entrepreneurs from the rural areas of the South Kazakhstan Region.

Participants discussed the challenges of doing business in the region. Experts from regional institutions of business development shared information on current government-supported business programmes and the ways of obtaining credit resources from financial institutions. The discussion was followed by a financial management and business leadership training seminar aimed at improving the management skills of women living in rural areas.

The event is a part of the Office’s long-term efforts to promote gender mainstreaming and economic empowerment initiatives in Kazakhstan.