BAKU – Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) sponsored a conference on “The Development of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan” as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week at the Baku Business Center.

The event, which was organized by the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan and with support from USAID-supported Micro-Enterprise Support Project, gathered representatives from government agencies, public unions, international organizations, embassies, think tanks, and universities. Participants emphasized the importance of small businesses for Azerbaijan's economic diversification goals, which must include an expansion of women’s entrepreneurship in the country.

U.S. Ambassador Robert Cekuta noted that “The U.S. is working to promote women’s economic empowerment in Azerbaijan. Entrepreneurship creates important opportunities for empowerment and economic inclusion.” He also applauded the steps that the Government of Azerbaijan has taken to facilitate the growth of businesses and reitarated the U.S. commitment to partner with Azerbaijan to make these reforms sustainable and effective.

During Global Entrepreneurship Week, thousands of events and competitions around the world inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity while connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors. Since it launched in 2008, Global Entrepreneurship Week has expanded to 160 countries—building and strengthening entrepreneurial systems around the world. Roughly 10 million people will take part in 30,000 events around the world during this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week.

A consortium of non-governmental organizations (Entrepreneurship Development Foundation, Economic Research  Center, Center for Economic Initiatives Support, Center for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, Carpet World Association, «Bridge to the Future» Youth Organization) implements the Micro-Enterprise Support Project. USAID has provided additional $500,000 to the consortium to encourage women's self-employment as part of the U.S. Government's efforts to promote women's economic empowerment through networking, leadership, and training for 400 women across the country.