Umut Shayakhmetova: "During the crisis, women are more likely to start a business"

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According to the banker, in a difficult economic time, it is necessary to develop the traditionally "female" sectors of SME

Chairman of the Board of JSC "Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan", member of the Council of Business Women of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken” Kazakhstan Umut Shayakhmetova spoke at the II Congress of the Council. She noted that today, women entrepreneurs, as well as the rest of the Kazakhstani business, are in a very difficult situation due to the new economic challenges. "The devaluation of last year, the lack of tenge liquidity, falling solvency of the population and, as a consequence, a fall in demand for goods and services, of course, complicates the business environment", - she said.

"Today, in times of economic crisis, I think everyone has realized that to depend only on the oil and gas sector is not entirely correct. It is necessary to increase the share of small and medium enterprises in our economy. It seems to me, here appears a chance to realize its potential for a women. I analyzed what industries today have the potential for the development: agriculture, light industry, leather, handicraft business, services, commerce, medicine, education, tourism - that is, the sectors, in which women are traditionally engaged", - she added.

The banker also named several factors that impede the development of women's business. "Unfortunately, in Kazakhstan, women are not sufficiently involved in the state administration. In our country there are still very few women involved in local administration, parliament, ministries, national companies, etc. I believe that not only economic and legal aspects prevent massive inflow of women in business and the civil service, but also mental prejudices - eternal readiness of our women to be on the sidelines, to perform the primary role of a mother and a wife. I believe that in our active time, women can cope with all the roles that they are willing to take on", - she said.

Shayakhmetova stressed that an important aspect of corporate governance is the participation of women. "It is important that among the Board members of the companies there are women. Many studies show that companies with three or more women in senior management have higher ratings on all indicators. Women contribute to achieving better results in financial matters and in matters of corporate social responsibility of business. This issue we also need to raise at the level of the National Chamber, to promote, and possibly to make some formal proposals on how to attract more women to the management of the state. Because women's creative energy, wisdom, responsibility and attention to detail always gives positive results ", - she noted.

The head of the People's Bank stressed that Almaty is the business center of the entire country. At the same time 30% of all small and medium businesses are headed by women. 60% of all tax revenues in the city budget provide SMEs.

Shayakhmetova told about the work of the Council over the last year on involvement of women in business. "We advise how to protect their rights, to organize industry events, where traditionally women are involved - education, light industry, food and drinks; organize forums, exhibitions, trying to create higher economic business relations. During this period, we supported 4 thousand women in the city, we provided free consultations, conducted trainings under the program "Business Advisor", "Business Growth", helped in overcoming administrative barriers and tax issues. Now we select women to send for professional training abroad ", - she noted.

The businesswoman also reported that support was provided to 52 business women in Almaty in the opening of new businesses and the expansion of production, a woman sold 21 women launched start-up projects and opened their business in such areas as education, tourism and public services. "We work, we are ready to share our experience with other regions. Once again I want to emphasize that the women of Almaty are particularly active in the business ", - she said.