Within the framework of the “Rural Entrepreneurship Development – Phase II” project, implemented by Encompass Consulting with the support of the International Development Association (IDA) and commissioned by the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the first cycle of training courses on women’s entrepreneurship development has been successfully completed in the Okdaryo district of Samarqand region.
A total of 49 women participated in the training, during which they acquired key skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, business planning, and marketing fundamentals. All participants successfully passed their final assessments, presented their business ideas and project concepts, and received certificates of completion.
The event was given special significance by the presence of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairperson of the Committee on Family and Women Affairs, Ms. Zulaykho Makhkamova, who personally attended the closing ceremony and certificate presentation. In her remarks, Ms. Makhkamova emphasized that the development of women’s entrepreneurship is a key driver of sustainable socio-economic growth and poverty reduction in rural areas.

Together with the Deputy Governor of Samarkand Region, Ms. Zebo Saidova, Ms. Makhkamova also visited the Family and Women’s Center located in the Yangiqorgon mahalla, where she became acquainted with the center’s activities and several successful business initiatives by women.
The Encompass Consulting project is being implemented in parallel across eight districts of Uzbekistan. In addition to the Okdaryo district, training activities are being conducted in Kattakurgan and Kushrabat districts of Samarkand Region, Kyzirik and Bandikhon districts of Surkhandarya Region, as well as Dekhanabad, Kamashi, and Mirishkor districts of Kashkadarya Region.
In total, 402 women successfully completed the training program during the first project cycle, each receiving a certificate confirming the knowledge gained and readiness to implement their own business initiatives.



