A conference was held on the topic “The role of women in the development of the construction sector, problems and prospects”

At the conference on in the topic of “The role of women in the development of the construction sector, problems and prospects”, opinions were exchanged on the expansion of the activities of women in the construction sector, the promotion of women’s entrepreneurship, and support measures within the framework of public-private cooperation. 

The World Bank Group’s “Business Ready” report notes that women working in the construction sector and female entrepreneurs operating in this field are a minority. In this and other similar international reports, it is envisaged to improve the position of our country on the relevant indicator, as well as to encourage women to enter into business activities in the construction sector and to increase the activity of female entrepreneurs working in this field, and to carry out surveys and measures with the support of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA).

As part of the measures taken in this direction, on December 13, the Conference on “Role, problems and prospects of women in the development of the construction sector” was held at “Baku SME House” by the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA).

Members of parliament, representatives of relevant state institutions, higher education institutions, business associations and entrepreneurs participated in the conference, which was organized in order to encourage women to enter into business activities in the construction sector, investigate development problems and take appropriate measures.

Bahar Muradova, Chairman of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs, Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), Hijran Huseynova, Chairman of the Family, Women and Children Affairs Committee and Vugar Bayramov, member of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee of the Milli Majlis, Mammad Musayev, President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations, Sakina Babayeva, Chairman of the Management Board of the Association of Women  Entrepreneurship Development in Azerbaijan, Nigar Alasgarova, Chairman of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises and Clubs made opening speeches. The speakers provided information on the role of women in the socio-economic development of our country, measures to support the development of entrepreneurship by the state, promotion of women in entrepreneurship, increasing the activity of women in business, especially in the construction sector, expanding their business relations, and joint projects implemented within the framework of state-entrepreneur cooperation.

The president of the Confederation mentioned that Azerbaijani women have always been distinguished by their elegance, wisdom and high professionalism. It is true that the construction sector and women – although it may seem contradictory at first glance, the number of our professional women working in this field is increasing. There are many women working in architecture, design, engineering and related fields.
Currently, the number of enterprises working in the construction sector has reached 17 thousand 686. Also, 27,000 individual entrepreneurs operate in this field. 873 of them are female entrepreneurs. In total, the number of women entrepreneurs registered in our country is more than 290 thousand.
At the same time, women currently working in the Presidium of the Azerbaijan Confederation of Entrepreneurs, as well as in the Office, have high professionalism and management skills. The Commission of Work with Women Entrepreneurs operates within the Confederation, and we also support the Association of Women  Entrepreneurship Development in Azerbaijan.

The conference continued with an exchange of ideas on organizing joint events to increase the business knowledge and skills of women in the construction sector, and the questions of the participants were answered.