Uzbekistan Approves Measures to Support Women Entrepreneurs

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Presidium of Uzbekistan has approved a decree “On Additional Measures to Support Women,” aimed at expanding opportunities for women in entrepreneurship, employment, and health promotion.

Under the decree, activities of women’s employment and health centers will be developed in local communities. In 2026–2027, the company “HAMROH” for supporting women entrepreneurs will allocate 2 trillion soums to support projects for 6,000 women, provide entrepreneurship training for 2,800 women, and assist 2,000 women through business mentoring programs.

Centers established by district and city administrations, with support from the Committee for Family and Women of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and regional and Tashkent city authorities, will offer spaces for sewing, confectionery, fitness, shaping, and professional training programs for women.

From 1 January 2026, additional financial instruments will be introduced under the HAMROH Women Entrepreneurship Support Program. Commercial banks will be able to provide loans to SME projects where at least 50% of founders are women and/or the management is female, provided that at least 10 jobs are created.

Loan amounts will be up to 25 times the base calculation rate, with an interest rate 10 percentage points above the Central Bank’s key rate. The National Business Guarantee Company will provide guarantees for up to 70% of commercial bank loans.

The Fund for Reconstruction and Development will allocate funds to the Entrepreneurship Development Company for up to seven years, including a three-year grace period, at the Central Bank’s key rate. The company will channel these funds through commercial banks to finance loans for up to seven years, including a three-year grace period, at rates up to 4 percentage points above the Central Bank’s key rate.

The decree establishes a comprehensive system to support women entrepreneurs, providing financial, educational, and organizational measures to increase women’s participation in Uzbekistan’s economy.