en
Uzbekistan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Uzbekistan, 5 May 2026 – WEConnect International, the leading global non-profit connecting women-owned businesses to qualified buyers worldwide, and HAMROH Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Programme, a government-backed national platform have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen women-owned businesses in Uzbekistan and expand regional cooperation across Central Asia.
This strategic partnership aims to expand opportunities for women-owned businesses by improving access to corporate procurement, international certification, training, financing, and global market linkages, while also fostering stronger regional collaboration and knowledge exchange across Central Asia.
Under the agreement, WEConnect International will provide its globally recognized Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification framework, along with access to its global network of corporate buyers, enabling qualified women-owned businesses to connect with multinational companies, governments, and institutions seeking diverse and inclusive suppliers.
HAMROH will serve as the national implementation partner in Uzbekistan, leveraging its institutional role, government engagement, financial partnerships, and nationwide presence across all 14 regions to identify, prepare, and support women entrepreneurs for certification and participation in corporate procurement opportunities.
To ensure practical implementation, a core focus of the partnership will be the development of a structured Procurement Readiness and Supplier Development Program. This program will ensure that women-owned businesses are not only certification-ready, but also fully prepared to participate in local and international supply chains.
Key areas will include:
• ESG alignment and compliance preparation
• Operational and financial structuring
• Procurement documentation and audit readiness
• Alignment with corporate supplier standards
• Market access preparation for both domestic and international buyers
Together, the organizations will:
• Build a strong pipeline of women-owned businesses ready for certification and procurement opportunities
• Deliver training, mentorship, and supplier readiness programs
• Expand access to corporate supply chains and international buyers
• Organize joint forums, trade missions, and business matchmaking initiatives
• Strengthen collaboration with government, financial institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholders
• Support regional cooperation across Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to unlocking the economic potential of women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia,” said Elizabeth A. Vazquez, CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International. “By combining HAMROH’s national reach with our global network of over 180 corporate members representing more than $4 trillion in purchasing power, we are creating real pathways for women-owned businesses to access corporate supply chains and grow sustainably.”
The partnership is expected to support the launch of the first internationally recognized WBE Certification pathway in Uzbekistan and facilitate the preparation and certification of women-owned businesses across multiple sectors, including services, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
In addition to international market access, the initiative will prioritize domestic procurement readiness, enabling women-led businesses to become qualified suppliers for banks, corporations, development organizations, embassies, and institutional buyers operating within Uzbekistan.
“This partnership reflects HAMROH’s long-term vision of building a strong and sustainable ecosystem for women’s entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan,” said Nozimakhon Davletova, Consultant to the Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, diplomat and member of HAMROH Supervisory Board. “Our priority is not only to support women in starting businesses, but to help them scale, become procurement-ready, and access real corporate and institutional opportunities. Together with WEConnect International, we are strengthening women-owned businesses through international standards, market access, and regional cooperation.”
The MoU will remain in effect through May 2029 and reflects the shared intention of both organizations to collaborate on strategic, non-binding initiatives that support inclusive economic growth, women’s financial empowerment, and private sector development across the region.
About WEConnect International
WEConnect International is the leading global non-profit dedicated to driving money into the hands of women business owners by connecting them with large corporate, multilateral, and government buyers around the world. Its 180+ member buyers represent more than $4 trillion in annual purchasing power and are committed to sourcing from women-owned businesses in over 135 countries. WEConnect International identifies, educates, registers, and certifies businesses that are at least 51% women-owned, managed, and controlled, providing Women’s Business Enterprise Certification in over 60 countries. With a global network of 20,000+ women-owned businesses, WEConnect International is committed to unleashing the full economic potential of women-owned businesses worldwide.
About HAMROH
HAMROH Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Programme is a government-backed national platform established by a Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan to strengthen and advance women’s entrepreneurship nationwide. Operating across all 14 regions of Uzbekistan, HAMROH works with commercial banks, international financial institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to support women-owned and women-operated businesses.
Through its financing programs, capacity-building initiatives, and ecosystem development efforts, HAMROH helps women entrepreneurs grow their businesses and access both domestic and international markets, while contributing to inclusive economic growth and job creation across Uzbekistan.
Media Contacts:
WEConnect International
Mrinalini Venkatachalam, Regional Director, AsiaPacific
mVenkatachalam@weconnectinternational.org
+65 81235818
HAMROH
Angelina Sidorenko, Head of PR and Education
asidorenko@hamrohingiz.uz
+998 996091353
