About €200,000 was invested last year in 35 companies managed or founded by women. The co-financing was provided within the EBRD BAS Moldova “Women in Business” Program, IPN reports.

The three-year project “Women in Business” was launched in 2012 and is supported financially by the Government of Sweden. The project to the value of €1 million supports women who want to start a business where at least 60% of the employees are women.

In a press briefing on March 19, EBRD BAS Moldova national manager Veronica Arpintin said that a business founded or managed by a woman is more efficient and of a better quality. “The provision of support to companies where most of the employees are women enables to develop these companies and to increase the career opportunities for women,” she stated.

The support provided within the program by BAS (Business Advisory Services) Moldova to local companies managed or founded by women includes assistance in determining the company’s business necessities. Grants are also provided for co-financing 60% of the total cost of consultancy projects, €6,000 on average.

The range of co-financed areas is not restricted. 40% of the total number of project co-financed last year were from such fields as information systems, investment and business plans, and marketing, 15% – from the area of clothing, 11% – from the IT sector. 80% of the total projects financed by the EBRD BAS in 2012 were from urban areas.

Swedish Ambassador to Moldova Ingrid Tersman said that a country that has businesses managed by women is more developed. She voiced hope that the program will help increase the Moldovan women’s interest in business.

EBRD BAS Moldova last year invested about €400,000 in different projects