BISHKEK, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC - On August 28, 2014, USAID’s Women’s Leadership in Small and Medium Enterprises (WLSME) program is conducting a Networking Meeting of women entrepreneurs in Bishkek. The Networking Meeting aims at facilitating business linkages and building the social capital of women entrepreneurs. The meeting’s interactive facilitation techniques include different exercises, role plays and discussions, which will allow the participants to learn more about themselves, build mutual trust, present their businesses, and discuss cooperation opportunities. At the end of meeting, WLSME program will award grants to ten (10) WLSME Business Plan Competition winners. These winners also get opportunity to further participation at more intensive types of support (tailored technical advice and training, mentorship, and exchange visits).

30 women owners of small and medium businesses operating in garments production, tourism, and agro processing sectors, as well as representatives of business associations and service providers will participate at the meeting.

All interested journalists are invited to the event. The event will be held at Asia Trade Company business center on August 28, 2014 from 14.00.to 18.30. Award ceremony will be held at 17.10. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

The USAID’s WLSME program is implemented by ACDI/VOCA in partnership with Bai Tushum Banking Group. The Women’s Leadership in Small and Medium Enterprises (WLSME) program engaged 750 women entrepreneurs across Kyrgyzstan through targeted measures of business and technical skills training and tailored assistance with aim to promote the growth of female-headed small and medium enterprises. One of major objectives of the program is to build the social capital of women business owners through better linkages with suppliers and buyers, with key industry associations, and service providers. The overarching goal of the WLSME program is to increase the number and size of women-owned small and medium enterprises.

WLSME is one of many programs made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  

More information about the WLSME program you can find on our web-site:
http://www.wlsme.kg/
http://www.acdivoca.org/site/ID/Microsite-Kyrgyzstan-WLSME-Kyrgyz
http://www.acdivoca.org/site/ID/Microsite-Kyrgyzstan-WLSME-Russian