BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK Aid) channeled by Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) supports the development of startups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, a source in DAI told Trend.
Within the framework of the PEAK Enterprise and Innovation Programme launched in 2020, 28 business support (pre-acceleration and acceleration) programs for 452 startups and MSMEs (280 – in Kyrgyzstan, and 172 – in Tajikistan) were successfully completed.
"It is important to note that 64 percent of these startups and MSMEs are women-owned or women-led, which contributes significantly to efforts of the governments to develop women entrepreneurship," the organization said.
DAI established four business innovation centers in the capital cities of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and in two cities Osh and Karakol in Kyrgyzstan, which provide business support programs virtually or onsite and guide entrepreneurs to start businesses.
"Moreover, we have also organized 256 business and community events, including webinars and forums to provide entrepreneurs with networking opportunities and better knowledge," the DAI added.
Notably, the achievements of the program include revenue growth of its beneficiaries (87 percent revenue growth reached by MSMEs, and 22 percent - by startups), and the creation of 431 new jobs.