SMB

We believe Azerbaijan’s socio-economic development is closely linked with entrepreneurship and its future development!

Winners of the Startup Competition Held Within the Framework of the Islamic Development Bank Group Annual Meetings Announced HELF and AZHAB Forums Held in Baku During the 51st Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group Startup Competition Launched Within the Framework of the IsDB Annual Meetings HELF/AZHAB Forum 2026 to Be Held Within the Framework of the IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Baku A meeting with entrepreneurs was held in the Khizi district For the attention of micro and small entrepreneurs wishing to present their products and services at the “Local Companies Promotion Exhibition!” ANNOUNCEMENT An online meeting of the Management Board of the CICA Business Council was held What is the support amount paid for conducting an internal market study and on what basis is this amount determined? The appeals of entrepreneurs from the Gazakh–Tovuz economic region were heard

Role of women in business and self-employment is on the rise 07.03.23

Women benefit from a series of support and services provided by KOBİA to start a business and expand their entrepreneurial engagement.

The role of women is increasing in the economy, in providing employment and in the development of the private sector. Recently, more and more women are taking interest in micro and small business activities and self-employment.

As of January 1, 2023, women accounted for 22% of entrepreneurs registered to engage in entrepreneurial activity without establishing a legal entity. Women entrepreneurs mainly engage in agriculture, service and other fields. 29.9% of women entrepreneurs were registered in Baku, 10.2% in Lankaran-Astara, 8.9% in Gazakh-Tovuz, and the rest in other economic regions.

The Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) is also taking appropriate steps to promote women's entrepreneurship in our country and to further increase the number of women among SMBs. Women, who are eager to start a business and to expand their entrepreneurial activity, are encouraged to benefit from support and services provided by KOBİA such as training, consulting, international training, access to financial resources and sales markets, grant, internal market research, "Startup" certificate, etc.

Within the scope of funding the education, science, research and support projects of SMBs, KOBİA has made a decision to fund 40 projects so far, 9 of which were presented by women entrepreneurs.

In 2022 alone, approximately 3 thousand women entrepreneurs benefited from business training on various topics organized by the Agency's SMB development centers. So far, more than 100 women entrepreneurs and managers have benefited from the "Joint Germany-Azerbaijan Program", conducted under the coordination of KOBİA.

11 women entrepreneurs were presented the "Startup" certificate.

In 2022, more than 40% of the 1050 business entities benefited from the support mechanism to take part in exhibitions and fairs held by KOBİA were women entrepreneurs. Besides, women accounted for 12 of the 25 business entities that benefited from the support mechanism for access to trade networks.