Focus on Women's Businesses and Economic Participation
One of the main goals of the forum was to strengthen the position of women in business and expand international cooperation, which indirectly contributes to the development of clusters.
State Secretary Marat Imankulov highlighted that women are no longer just keepers of the family hearth but active participants in the country's economic life. In Kyrgyzstan, nearly 29% of small and medium-sized enterprises are led by women, and these businesses provide 40% of the country's GDP. This trend clearly shows the growing contribution of women's businesses to economic growth, especially in sectors such as light and garment industries, processing, trade, education, and IT technologies.
Participants discussed the development of women's activity, their social status, and issues of lending and investments, which are vital for strengthening the financing capabilities of cluster members.
Cluster-Relevant Events and Goals
The discussions at the forum reinforced the importance of cluster development:
- Innovation and Technology:A highlighted event was the opening of the "Kyrgyz-Chinese Digital Development Center for Women." This initiative, where the All-China Women's Federation donated computers, creates the conditions for rural women to participate in the digital economy. Stimulating innovation and technological development is fundamental for clusters.
- International Relations and Investments:The forum's goals included attracting investments and expanding international cooperation. These goals are synergistic with the operation of clusters, which aim to increase members' competitiveness and expand the sales market through joint network connections.
- Networking and Experience Exchange:The event was attended by state and public figures, ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and businesswomen from Turkic-speaking countries. This provided an excellent opportunity to develop interaction skills, increase trust, and establish conditions for partnerships.
Lessons for Cluster Development
The experiences and information gained at the forum can be directly utilized in the future strategy of the Archenerg-Metál Cluster:
- Skills for Attracting Finance:The issue of lending and investments raised at the forum reinforces the need for the cluster to develop internal mechanisms for attracting external financing, involving financial institutions.
- Increasing Competitiveness:The active participation of women in Kyrgyzstan's export-oriented projects can be viewed by the cluster as a model for orienting towards exports and exploiting competitive advantages. The concentration within clusters creates conditions for easier access to resources and the concentration of specialized labor.
- Technological Advancement:The example of the Kyrgyz-Chinese Digital Development Center points to the importance of technological cooperation, which is one of the main tasks of clusters: encouraging the exchange of knowledge, experience, and technologies among members.
Through the participation of Project Manager Irina Szőcs, the Archenerg-Metál Cluster has gained valuable international experience that will contribute to the long-term competitiveness and sustainable development of its member companies.