In Kyrgyzstan, according to the State Enterprise "Guarantee Fund", since its inception, 12,874 guarantees have been issued, with a total amount exceeding 15.2 billion soms.
This information was announced on March 5 during the opening of the event Ring the Bell for Gender Equality, organized by the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange in collaboration with UN Women.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Fund's Board, Reina Kurmankozhoeva, reported that 4,885 of these guarantees, accounting for 38%, were provided to women entrepreneurs. Their total amount reached 3.9 billion soms, which is 26% of the total volume. Women received loans totaling over 12 billion soms, which constitutes 33% of the entire loan amount.
Together with the Asian Development Bank, in 2017-2018, the Fund organized more than 13 two-day seminars on the development of women's entrepreneurship, attended by 206 women. As a result, over 30 participants were able to obtain loans totaling more than 40 million soms.
Additionally, Reina Kurmankozhoeva noted that the Fund conducted 575 financial literacy seminars, attended by 4,820 entrepreneurs, of whom 35% were women.
"These data show that women are actively developing their skills in financial education and management, as well as their readiness to attract investments. In 2020, the Fund made a strategic decision to allocate at least 30% of guarantees for individual entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises managed by women," she added.
As part of the World Bank's emergency support project for micro, small, and medium enterprises, implemented through a portfolio risk-sharing mechanism, 2,810 guarantees totaling 938 million soms were issued for women entrepreneurs.
Kurmankozhoeva emphasized that even in difficult times, women continue to actively attract financing and demonstrate a high level of financial discipline and resilience.
Moreover, the Fund's staff provides consulting services and assistance in developing business plans. Out of 90 prepared projects totaling 4.45 billion soms, 12 projects, accounting for 36%, were focused on women and were valued at 1.6 billion soms.
The Guarantee Fund supports not only women from Bishkek but also women entrepreneurs from all regions of Kyrgyzstan, covering various sectors.
