The supporting of women entrepreneurs will become a priority direction of the strategy for developing small and medium-sized enterprises in 2012-2020. The Ministry of Economy submitted a proposal to this effect in a move to offer greater support to the women in starting SMEs, IPN reports.

Currently, only 27% of the SMEs working in Moldova are run by women though the women represent 51.9% of the population. The men’s entrepreneurship prevails in the country. The women encounter big difficulties in accessing loans. The cases of discrimination weren’t fully excluded when it is about the participation of businesses managed by women in the implementation of projects funded by the state or with external financing in communities. The successful models of women’s entrepreneurship existing in other countries are insufficiently promoted among women.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the inclusion of women’s entrepreneurship in the key SMEs development priorities will allow to provide greater state assistance in starting SMEs led by women. Their access to training will be facilitated by staging special training courses for them. The women’s access to cheap financial resources will also be improved.

It is projected that about 350 new enterprises managed by women will be launched in 2020. These will create by at least one-two workplaces. Of the total number of working women, 75% are now employees of institutions and enterprises and do not hold managerial posts. Their salary is by over 12% lower than men’s salary.