Gulnara Karimova, the Chairperson of the Women’s Council’s Organising Committee, presented awards to 128 women, the laureates of the competition. Due to the initiative of Karimova, in 2009-2010 the Women’s Council and the NAMOCU, in conjunction with Mehr nuri (Ray of mercy) Public Foundation and the Social Initiative Support Fund (SISF), made available 518 grants and microcredits worth over 1.8 billion soums.

The main goals of the competition are to assist the development of female entrepreneurship, provide information and consultative support and to support women’s efforts to implement their projects, create jobs, and to create a network of women entrepreneurs willing to open their own businesses in regions.

The categories in the micro loan programme for women included agriculture, food manufacture, textile and clothing production, craft development, personal and social services, provision of services in retail trade, and catering.

The micro credit project will enhance women’s responsibility for their own business and help them develop skills in independent business management. Small production enterprises represent an important source of demand for micro credits and loans. As in many countries, small businesses in Uzbekistan are an important branch of the domestic economy and are therefore broadly supported by public organisations that allocate monetary funds for the implementation of relevant and effective business plans.

Master classes were given to the competition winners by heads of major financial organisations. The master classes gave the women an opportunity to get answers to their questions related to business management, skills in credit-related activities, and making business plans. Also, a presentation of the winners’ most successful projects was held.

Barno Olimova (Samarkand Region) said: “I have been engaged in clothing manufacturing and this is the third time the Women’s Council has given me a micro loan. I used my first credit to purchase two sewing machines and I taught clothing manufacturing skills to five apprentices for three months. Once the teaching sessions finished, these women started working for me as I had created jobs for them. The second credit enabled me to buy fabrics and to produce women’s clothes. This time I’m planning to use the credit to launch the production of elite-style curtains and drapes. I am very happy about the opportunity to get timely support from organisations such as the Women’s Council and NAMOCU.”

Another in the series of measures to support women in Uzbekistan is the Micro Finance Loan Programme for Women Farmers launched in 2007 by the SISF. The programme is aimed at supporting young aspiring female farmers living in regions. It includes seminars and training sessions for target groups, conferences, business plan presentations, and providing women with micro loans based on their business plans.

Mavjuda Jumayeva (Bukhara region) underlined: “I have taken part in the loan programmes since 2000 and I am very pleased that I received this micro-credit provided by the SISF. I am engaged in canning fruits and vegetables, which I grow in my garden. The credit is a chance for me to buy the necessary equipment and tools, and I am now more confident about the future of my family.”