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

The role of women entrepreneurs in the economy is growing 08.03.22

The role of women in the public, social and cultural life of the world, as well as in Azerbaijan, and in the economy is growing.

As of January 1, 2022, 21.4% of entrepreneurs registered to engage in entrepreneurial activity without establishing a legal entity in our country were women. 30.5% of women entrepreneurs are registered in Baku, 10.1% in Lankaran-Astara, 8.8% in Gazakh-Tovuz and the rest in other economic regions. The majority of women entrepreneurs are engaged in services (52.4%), agriculture (24%) and other areas.

Promotion of women's self-employment and entrepreneurship, support for the development of women's entrepreneurship is one of the priorities of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA). For starting a business and expanding entrepreneurship women can benefit from the support and services of the Agency for training, consulting, international training, access to financial resources and sales markets, grants, participation in exhibitions, trading portal "kobmarket.az", internal market research, startup certificate, etc. So far, 5 women entrepreneurs have been awarded grants and 4 women entrepreneurs have been awarded Startup certificates. In 2021 and in January-February of this year, the participation of about 30 women entrepreneurs in exhibitions held in our country and abroad was supported. Last year, about 9,000 women entrepreneurs and women wishing to start their own businesses benefited from the training and consulting services organized by the Agency's SME Development Centers. 21% of entrepreneurs and managers benefiting from the international training program coordinated by SMBDA are women.

SMBDA also cooperates with a number of local and foreign organizations to support women's entrepreneurship, study best international practices in this field, promote women's business activities and ensure self-employment.

The Women's Entrepreneurship Development Association is actively represented in the Public Council under the Agency.

So far, SMBDA has received more than 1,000 applications from entrepreneurs wishing to set up businesses in our liberated territories, as well as offering jobs and services, of which about 50 belong to women entrepreneurs.

The role of women's entrepreneurship in the sustainable development of our country, the potential for further increase in the number of women among SMEs is great. Women entrepreneurs can make a greater contribution to our economy and employment by taking advantage of Azerbaijan's favorable business environment, opportunities for entrepreneurship and state support mechanisms.