Why is this important
Supporting women’s entrepreneurship directly affects employment, family incomes, and the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the regions. Women entrepreneurs will receive more affordable credit resources, guarantees, and infrastructure support, which should lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs and the growth of small businesses in the regions.
What happened
- The President of Uzbekistan signed a decree on expanding support for women and women’s businesses.
- In 2026-2027, the Hamroh Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Company will allocate 2 trillion soums to support 6,000 businesses established by women.
- The interest rate will not exceed the Central Bank’s base rate by more than 10%.
- The National Business Guarantee Company will provide guarantees of up to 70% of the loan amount.
- To finance the program, the Reconstruction and Development Fund will allocate a loan to Hamroh for 7 years at a Central Bank rate (currently 14%).
- Banks will receive funds from Hamroh at the Central Bank’s rate plus 4% (18%).
Numbers and facts
- Business courses will be organized for 2,800 women and girls, and partnership support will be provided for another 2,000 participants.
- The activities of Mahalla Women’s Employment Centers will be expanded.
- Regional departments for family and women’s affairs will begin leasing premises for sewing and confectionery production, fitness centers, and vocational training courses.
- Starting January 2026, small and medium-sized enterprises with 50% female founders or women managers will be able to receive targeted loans of up to 25,000 soums through the Hamroh program. BCA (10.3 billion soums).
- Loans will be issued by commercial banks for business expansion, provided that at least 10 jobs are created.
Context
- In recent years, women’s employment programs, including microfinancing, training, and support for family entrepreneurship, have been consistently expanding in Uzbekistan.
- The new decree strengthens the systematic financing of specific women’s business projects.
