CIPE Europe & Eurasia

On November 21-22, the Women’s Forum KURAK hosted the 10th edition of the World Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED), the leading platform in the Kyrgyz Republic for advancing women’s entrepreneurship. Bishkek transformed into a vibrant center of innovation and collaboration, welcoming over 100 entrepreneurs, policymakers, and visionaries from Central Asia and beyond, united in their commitment to empowering women in business. Key highlights included impactful panel discussions on gender equality, cross-cultural fashion showcases fostering creative collaboration, and a dynamic B2B networking session that facilitated regional trade and partnerships. The International Mentoring & Coaching Conference further provided participants with practical tools to enhance leadership and drive business growth. Supported by #WeChamps, partners from #Kazakhstan, the #KyrgyzRepublic, and #Azerbaijan shared valuable insights, with a notable session on global strategies for scaling women-led businesses. WED 2024 marked a decade of progress while inspiring fresh ambitions for the future of women in business. The "Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem by Networking Regional Women’s Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations" (WE-Champs) project is implemented by #CIPE and funded by the U.S. Department of State - Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues. Center for International Private Enterprise | Shalala Kamilova | Asel Kubanychbekova

#WeChamps | On November 22, the Association of Women Entrepreneurs AFAM Moldova hosted??????????? ???????? ????????????: ???????????????????? ?????????????? ????????????????????, an international conference highlighting collaboration and innovation. With the support of WE-Champs, Manuela Stamatovic, Udru?enje poslovnih ?ena Srbije / Association of Business Women in Serbia (ABW Serbia) Board Member, participated in the event, sharing ABW’s impactful initiatives to empower women through digital entrepreneurship and business digitalization. Her insights inspired over 100 entrepreneurs, policymakers, and partners. The event underscored tangible progress, showcasing how women leaders are turning challenges into opportunities and fostering cross-border networks to drive meaningful change. The "Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem by Networking Regional Women’s Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations" (WE-Champs) project is implemented by #CIPE and funded by the U.S. Department of State - Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues. ?

Catch the highlights from the launch of the??????????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????????????????? ?????????????? (??????????)?in #Uzbekistan! The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, international donor organizations, civil society leaders, business associations, banks, entrepreneurs, academics, and business consultants. ?????????? ?????????? The Central Asia Migration and Entrepreneurship Program (CAMEP) is funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). The program employs an integrated approach to support the private sectors of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, enabling returning migrants from Russia to reintegrate effectively into their domestic economies. Natalia Otel Belan |?Sobir Kurbanov |?Malika Mukimova

#Slovakia | On November 21, the Adapt Institute and #CIPE Europe hosted an engaging roundtable in Samorin, Slovakia, as part of the ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????, organized by the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO). Themed?"???????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???????????? ?????????????? ?????? ????????????????????: ???????? ?????????????????????? ???????? ???? ???????????? ???? ?????? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ?????? ???? ???????????????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ???????????", the event facilitated an insightful exchange among industry leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders. Discussions focused on the evolving regulatory environment and its implications for the automotive sector, addressing critical topics such as emissions targets, digital transformation, trade exposure to China, and the competitiveness of Slovakia's automotive industry. Participants explored strategies to balance environmental goals, technological innovation, and industry realities. This conversation highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration to align priorities, drive innovation, and navigate challenges, ensuring sustainable growth and resilience amidst global shifts.

#CentralAsia #CAMEP | On November 22, #CIPE officially launched the ?????????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????????????????? ?????????????? (??????????) in #Uzbekistan, together with the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction. This program takes an integrated approach to support the private sectors of Central Asian countries in reintegrating returning migrants into local economies and fostering entrepreneurial activity. ?????????? ????????????????????: The launch event brought together representatives from government, international donor organizations such as USAID and IOM, civil society, business associations, banks, entrepreneurs, academia, and business consultants. In her welcome address, ?????????????? ????????????????, Head of International Relations at the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction, outlined Uzbekistan’s 2030 strategy, focusing on poverty reduction and reintegration of returning migrants. She detailed new training and employment initiatives aimed at facilitating their economic inclusion. ???????????? ????????, U.S. Embassy representative, commended CIPE’s programs for advancing regional entrepreneurship and emphasized U.S. support for Uzbekistan’s reform efforts in fostering entrepreneurship and regional stability. ?????????? ?????????????? ???????????????????????? CIPE’s Director for Europe and Eurasia, Natalia Otel Belan, and Central Asia Program Director, Sobir Kurbanov, provided an overview of CAMEP’s mission, objectives, and activities. Key program components include: ?????????????????? ?????? ????????????????: A comprehensive study of returning migrants’ skills and market opportunities, conducted by a research team in Uzbekistan. ?????????????? ??????????????????????: Private sector-led Migration and Entrepreneurship Business Agendas to address barriers for returning migrants. ???????????????????????????????? ?????????????????? ????????????????: Tailored support for 100 migrants to foster sustainable entrepreneurial ventures. ???????????????? ???????????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????????: ?????????????? ????????????: Empowering the private sector to propose business-led solutions to challenges faced by returning migrants. ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ??????????????????????: Enhancing entrepreneurship skills to enable migrants to establish successful businesses. The presentation sparked dynamic discussions among participants, who shared insights, advice, and ideas for CAMEP’s implementation.

#Georgia #LegalResource | On November 22, in Tbilisi, the second edition of ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????? ???????????????? – ?? ?????????????????????? ???? ?????????????????? was officially presented. Authored by Dr. Zakaria Shvelidze, this publication was developed under #CIPE and the Solidarity Center's joint project ???????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???? ???????????????????? ?????????? ?????? ??????????????????????, ?????????? ????. It offers a detailed analysis of court decisions on labor disputes from 2021 to 2024, along with key cases predating 2020, providing critical insights into judicial interpretations of amendments to the Labor Code. The event combined a book presentation with an interactive workshop designed for business lawyers, focusing on pressing judicial issues in labor disputes. The session encouraged engaging discussions and featured a Q&A segment, enabling participants to exchange ideas and address complex legal questions. Around 70 attendees, including employer representatives and practicing lawyers, received printed copies of the book, which is set to become a crucial resource in their professional work. This publication marks a significant step forward in promoting fair labor practices and enhancing awareness of judicial processes among employers in Georgia, contributing to a more robust and equitable labor environment. #LaborLawGeorgia

#IBECA #Tajikistan | On November 21, with support from #CIPE, the Agency for Innovations and Digital Technologies under the President of Republic of Tajikistan, along with local IBECA partners—the Association of E-commerce of Tajikistan and the Civil Initiative on Internet Policy—hosted a roundtable titled “E-commerce: Challenges and Development Prospects in the Context of Logistics and Consumer Protection Development.” The event brought together approximately 40 participants, including representatives from five government ministries and agencies, private sector leaders, business associations, key donor organizations, and a representative from the U.S. State Department. Panel discussions were led by the Head of the Department of E-commerce Regulation at the Agency and the IBECA Task Force on E-commerce Development. Topics focused on the importance of establishing a sustainable e-commerce infrastructure in Tajikistan. Panelists underscored the need for open dialogue to enhance the regulatory framework, foster e-commerce growth, and ensure consumer protection and transparency in the sector. The roundtable emphasized collaboration between government bodies, retail businesses, logistics companies, and business associations to address current e-commerce challenges. Participants shared experiences and developed joint recommendations for improving the logistics sector and strengthening consumer protection within the evolving e-commerce landscape. #ECommerceDevelopment #DigitalInnovation

Entrepreneurs are innovators and visionaries. What can they teach us? That is the focus of a new CIPE Insights article by Kim Bettcher. In this last stop on our #GEW2024 video journey, CIPE leaders Eric K. Hontz and Abdulwahab Alkebsi explain the key role of entrepreneurs in CIPE’s work to support inclusive economic growth and democratic resilience. Read the insight here: https://bit.ly/40Xxkhe #EntrepreneurshipIsForEveryone #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek

#WEChamps |?On November 15, #CIPE's partner, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SheStarts), hosted a roundtable discussion to advance the inclusion of a formal definition of “women’s entrepreneurship” in the Kyrgyz Republic’s Law on the Protection of Entrepreneurs' Rights. This gathering convened policymakers, business leaders, and advocates to explore actionable strategies for empowering women entrepreneurs. ?????? ????????????????????: ? ??????????-???????????????? ????????????: Insights into the contributions of women-led businesses to economic growth and community development. ? ?????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????: Proposed legal frameworks to promote and protect women’s entrepreneurship. ? ???????????????????? ??????????????????????????: A platform for cross-sector collaboration among changemakers. The event was organized with the support of CIPE's project "Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem by Networking Regional Women’s Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations" (WE-Champs), funded by the U.S. Department of State - Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues. CIPE is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs as a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth and thriving communities. Through initiatives like WE-Champs, we strive to unlock the full potential of women in business. #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurshipForAll

#CentralAsia | The official launch in the Kyrgyz Republic of #CIPE's new ?????????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????????????????? ?????????????? (??????????) took place on November 20. This program aims to address critical challenges and opportunities related to migration and entrepreneurship, with a focus on: ? Analyzing the scale and skills of returning migrants alongside the needs of the private sector. ? Improving the business environment using CIPE's proprietary Migration and Entrepreneurship (MEBA) methodology. ? Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem for return migrants in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The event brought together representatives from government bodies,?the business community, and international organizations.?Opening remarks were delivered by: ??Sanzhar Bolotov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic. ??Mayrambek Beishenov, Head of the Migration Policy Division, Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic. ??Brant Beyer, Deputy Chief of the Political/Economic Section, U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic. ??Natalia Otel Belan, Director for Europe and Eurasia, CIPE. Speakers emphasized the importance of fostering a sustainable entrepreneurial environment that enables returning migrants to maximize their potential and contribute to national economic development. CIPE’s Director for Europe & Eurasia, Natalia Otel Belan, and Program Director for Central Asia, Sobir Kurbanov, provided an overview of CAMEP’s goals. These include addressing systemic barriers, developing a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, and encouraging collaboration among businesses, government, and civil society. The event fostered meaningful dialogue, with participants sharing experiences and ideas to strengthen cooperation between government entities, private sector representatives, and international partners. A Q&A session concluded the event, offering an opportunity for attendees to explore avenues for future collaboration. ?????????? ?????????? The Central Asia Migration and Entrepreneurship Program (CAMEP) is funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). The program employs an integrated approach to support the private sectors of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, enabling returning migrants from Russia to reintegrate effectively into their domestic economies.