Kochanova: increasing number of women engaged in entrepreneurship in Belarus
From year to year, the number of ladies running small and medium-sized businesses in Belarus is growing: in 2021, there were 68 thousand of them, and the figure stands at 74,500 now – as noted by Natalya Kochanova, the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly, during the Energy and Creation Republican Forum of Women Entrepreneurs
“You are creating economic benefits for our country now, and this stands high,” Ms. Kochanova addressed the participants of the forum organised by the Belarusian Women's Union jointly with the Council of the Republic. “Small and medium-sized businesses account for a third of the country's economy.”
According to Ms. Kochanova, the state is taking all measures to support business. “We have a programme to support entrepreneurship, while the Government and the Council of the Republic are actively working on a draft law that will regulate some business issues. The women who have gathered here today will discuss the topical problems in this area, and we will definitely take into account all your recommendations in our work,” she said.
Speaking of the Government’s involvement, Ms. Kochanova praised the work done, “We have not curtailed any social programme to support families, to pay allowances and pensions. Last year, pensions were increased three times and, on May 1st 2023, there was another increase. This is a vivid example of consolidating efforts to strengthen the country's economic power so that Belarus can remain independent and sovereign in the future. To be honest, there was a period in our country’s history when well-known events began to take place in 2020, and women gathered for a large-scale forum. We were able to see then that our ladies are a true power.”
