site.btaStrategy to Promote Women's Entrepreneurship

Strategy to Promote Women's Entrepreneurship

Sofia, February 17 (BTA) - Economy Minister Bozhidar Loukarski said a strategy promoting women's entrepreneurship was being drafted. He addressed a forum entitled "Challenges Facing the Bulgarian Economy" whick opened here on Wednesday.

One of the measures under the Entrepreneurship 2020 Bulgaria Action Plan is a strategy to encourage enterprising women. It is being drafted by women's entrepreneur organizations and the Economy Ministry. Its objective is to increase the number of women entrepreneurs, strengthen their organizations, provide training and apprenticeship, and support them in dealing with business problems.

Operational Programme Innovations and Competitiveness will also support women starting their own business under Axis 2, which aims to provide access to financing in support of entrepreneurship.

Loukarski noted that the proportion of women entrepreneurs had increased gradually in recent years. National Statistical Institute data show that women business owners account for 30 per cent of all entrepreneurs, which is also the EU average. He said the Ministry's policies were designed to increase this share.