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SARAJEVO, April 22 (FENA) - A virtual regional ‘Women’s Entrepreneurship Expo’ will bring together hundreds of small businesses and women entrepreneurs, including fifteen women-led businesses from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and global companies and investors from Europe and Central Asia.
From April 27 to 29, the Expo will be an opportunity to showcase ventures, create business plans and expand markets and profits for women’s businesses.
The current data shows that 71% of women entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina feel that the pandemic has affected their business and income very negatively. Due to the devastating impact of COVID-19 in the region, one-quarter of self-employed women have lost their jobs. In response to this, the Expo will connect women entrepreneurs to national, international companies, investors and mentors to help bring their marketing ideas and businesses to the next level. Fifteen women entrepreneurs from six cities in BiH and eight sectors (ICT, tourism, healthcare, clothing, food, agriculture, media, architecture) will join the event, along with six mentors and partners.
“COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted women entrepreneurs as women-led micro, small and medium enterprises are more likely than those led by men to be concentrated in sectors with lower profit margins or to be operating in sectors most impacted by lockdown restrictions. Supporting women’s income security, decent work, and economic autonomy is a key priority for UN Women,” said Alia El-Yassir, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.
“Small and micro-business owners who are nearly all women have been hugely impacted by COVID-19, especially those providing services. Throughout this crisis, UN Women has been supporting different initiatives to help women-led businesses to recover.
Together with Sweden, UK and Foundation 787, we are proud of the BizUp program supporting 12 businesses. The Regional Expo is an excellent opportunity for BiH entrepreneurs to develop new partnerships, clients and collaborations from across Europe and Central Asia,” said David Saunders, UN Women Representative in BiH.
During the Expo, six co-creation hubs will be offered on topics ranging from branding and marketing to crowdfunding and e-commerce, and how to pitch to investors. At the Connect and Create stages of the Expo, entrepreneurs will showcase their products, learn to improve their business plans by innovating and experimenting with new ideas, and meet global businesses and investors. Private sector partners will share how their ventures can include more women entrepreneurs in their value chain.
The three days of the Expo will include a short session on the power of networking and one-to-one networking opportunities. Entrepreneurs and business partners will also have the chance to further showcase their businesses via Expo Booths, available online throughout the virtual event.
Following the Expo, entrepreneurs will receive professional coaching to develop and fine-tune business pitches for their own business plans and product ideas, UN Women in BiH announced.
More than 23 sectors will be represented at the Expo, which is generously funded by the Government of Japan.
The opening of the Expo will be live-streamed on UN Women Europe and Central Asia’s Facebook account.
(FENA) S. R.
