The period for registering for the training competent of the pilot program “Women in Business”, which was launched by the Organization for the Development of the Sector of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (ODIMM), was extended until April 30 this year. More than 350 women have so far expressed readiness to take part in the training. This stage envisions the training and guidance of women who want to start an own business in Moldova during 12 months of the application to the program, IPN reports.

According to ODIMM, about 30% of the women applicants intend to start or extend the business in the service sector, while another 30% in the production sector. The other 40% want to run a business in agriculture, handcrafting, agritourism or mixed activities. About 70% of the application forms were filled out by women beneficiaries from central Moldova and Chisinau municipality. Of the over 350 women applicants, 80% have university or post-university education, while 26% are unemployed.

The pilot program “Women in Business” was launched in 2016 with the aim of offering women the chance to start professional businesses, being guarded by experts from the field. This offers support to female entrepreneurs at three different business development stages.

Component I envisions the training and guidance of over 300 women who want to start a business in Moldova during 12 months of the application. Component II is intended for female entrepreneurs who have run businesses for less than two years. Within this component, 100 female entrepreneurs will get grants for developing the business. Within Component III, grants of about €70,000 will be provided to ten companies run by women that have been active for over two years and aim to make investments to enter new markets and promote exports.

The women who want to apply to the program can access www.odimm.md or can go to the ODIMM head office situated at 48 Sergey Lazo St in Chisinau.