Kazakhstan and Turkey are reliable strategic partners that are systematically expanding political, economic and cultural ties. The trade turnover between the countries was estimated at US$2 billion last year. This figure is planned to increase fivefold. Women of the two countries talked about mutually beneficial cooperation at the business women’s forum held in Ankara.

Today Kazakhstan has more than 40% of female-led small and medium-sized businesses. The Kazakh female entrepreneurs are interested in establishing contacts with their Turkish colleagues and implementing joint projects. The Women's Entrepreneurship Council of Turkey launched new innovative business projects in partnership with the world's leading companies.

RUHSAR PEKCAN, DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON, WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL OF TURKEY:
- We try to support women to implement innovative projects, not only in the service sector or the textile industry. For example, as part of the last project we conducted training and seminars on programming and IT technologies in which 1,400 business women took part. These measures are necessary to develop women’s competitiveness. I'm confident that we can work together to implement such projects with the Kazakh business women.

Topics of investment attractiveness and development of tourism in Kazakhstan were discussed in the meeting, too. Participants were introduced to opportunities of the Astana International Financial Center as well as to the benefits and preferences that are designed for foreign investors acting in the republic. In addition, an agreement was reached to establish a joint council of businesswomen of the two countries.

LAZZAT RAMAZANOVA, CHAIRWOMAN, WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL:
- Female entrepreneurs, whose business successfully flourished in Kazakhstan came to the forum. The priority goal of the Kazakh business is first of all, to provide goods and services to the domestic market. In parallel, we should develop the export potential. Therefore, today's forum is of importance. We plan to introduce new technologies and experience.

The first Women’s Entrepreneurship Council of Kazakhstan was established under the ‘Atameken’ National Chamber of Entrepreneurs. The organization supports startups of beginning businesswomen and there are already successful female-led projects in Kazakhstan.