Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 21-22 September 2021 Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic) hosted a business forum "Dialogue of women entrepreneurs of Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan" with participation of more than 100 businesswomen of the two countries.

The event was carried out in execution of the "Roadmap for Cooperation of Women-Entrepreneurs of Central Asia in the Field of Sustainable Development", adopted on June 15, 2021 in Tashkent following the results of the International Forum "Economic empowerment of women for sustainable development in Central Asia and Afghanistan" within the framework of Central Asia Women Leaders Caucus. Business forum was organized by the Committee on Women’s Affairs and Gender Equality of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic and the "Women’s League of Central Asia" Public Foundation with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Welcoming speeches at the event were delivered by Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the Central Asia Women Leaders Caucus Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic Ms. Aida Kasymaliyeva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic Ms. Louise Chamberlain, Director of USAID Economic Development Office in the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Joshua Templeton.

Speakers noted the importance and relevance of meetings among Central Asian women entrepreneurs for sustainable development and economic opportunities for women in the region. It is noted that creation of such platforms contributes to the establishment of direct contacts between women entrepreneurs, the exchange of experiences and best practices of entrepreneurship, the identification of promising areas of business cooperation between women of the two countries.

The delegation of businesswomen of Uzbekistan at this business forum covered many sectors of the economy, in particular, industry, services, agriculture, arts and crafts.

During business meetings businesswomen of Uzbekistan learned about the activities of potential Kyrgyz partners and established contacts for further business cooperation. As a result of the talks, the businesswomen of the two countries concluded 17 agreements and memorandums totaling more than US$16 million. The agreements concern exports from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan of paint and varnish, engineering, fruits and vegetables, and textile products, imports from Kyrgyzstan of elevators and textile products, as well as cooperation in education and tourism.

At the end of this event a Joint Statement of the business forum participants was adopted, which noted their commitment to continue joint efforts on the economic empowerment of women, support and develop business relations in both bilateral and regional formats, conduct joint activities in the format of business forums and B2B meetings on a regular basis with the support of relevant government agencies and international partners.

The parties agreed to hold regular business meetings of women entrepreneurs at least once a year on the rotating chairmanship system. The next business forum will be held in Uzbekistan in 2022. Parties also agreed to hold an exhibition of products of women-entrepreneurs of two countries in Uzbekistan next year.