Recently, Garanti BBVA and the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGIDER) celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey at the Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Summit. This year’s conference focused on the crucial role women play in economic and social growth and the forthcoming opportunities in agriculture, sustainability, and technology over the next ten years.
Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Summit
The summit also highlighted the importance of empowering women and providing equal opportunities to encourage their entrepreneurial spirit in various sectors. Successful female entrepreneurs from various fields shared their experiences and insights, inspiring attendees and emphasizing the positive impact of women-led businesses on Turkey’s overall economic development.
Leaders at the Summit
Garanti BBVA CEO Recep Baştuğ and KAGIDER Chair of the Board Esra Bezircioğlu were among the summit attendees, alongside Ümit Boyner from the retail giant, Boyner Group. Baştuğ stressed the importance of empowering women through entrepreneurship, noting the small increase in Turkey’s female entrepreneurs from five to 14 percent in the past 17 years.
He emphasized the need for continued efforts to accelerate this growth to create a more gender-equal entrepreneurial landscape. Bezircioğlu also expressed her dedication to promoting female entrepreneurship by providing support and resources through KAGIDER.
Garanti BBVA’s Support for Women Entrepreneurship
Baştuğ reaffirmed Garanti BBVA’s dedication to supporting women Entrepreneurship by introducing the Women Entrepreneurs Program in 2006. The program has supplied over 150 billion TL of assistance in financing, mentorship, training, and access to new markets. The bank intends to continue expanding its support for female entrepreneurs.
Through this initiative, Garanti BBVA has been able to positively impact the lives of countless women and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive business environment. As the program moves forward, the bank aims to increase the number of beneficiaries and further bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship.
The Importance of Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
According to Esra Bezircioğlu, the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey is an ideal moment to assess progress, recognize challenges, and generate solutions for speeding up progress in the next century. She highlighted the importance of enabling women in all aspects of life in order to attain success in female entrepreneurship.
Bezircioğlu emphasized that providing necessary resources, education, and support to women entrepreneurs is crucial in fostering a more inclusive and dynamic economy. By cultivating an environment that encourages and celebrates the achievements of women in business, Turkey can unlock its full potential and pave the way for further innovation and growth in the years to come.
KAGIDER’s Commitment to Female Entrepreneurship
For 21 years, KAGIDER has worked to increase women’s entrepreneurship through collaborative projects and research with multiple stakeholders, including Garanti BBVA. Bezircioğlu stated, “We will persist in working resolutely, empowering women in every area, and amplifying their influence and voice in the second century of our Republic.”
Under Bezircioğlu’s leadership, KAGIDER will continue to develop innovative programs and initiatives aimed at fostering a supportive environment for female entrepreneurs. By maintaining strong relationships with partners like Garanti BBVA, KAGIDER aims to create a lasting impact on the Turkish economy and contribute to closing the gender gap in business.
Challenges and Innovation in the Industry
Continued challenges faced by the industry have prompted a push toward innovation and collaboration among key players. As companies strategize to maintain a competitive edge, the adoption of new technologies and methodologies are expected to revolutionize the way operations are carried out.
This evolution in business practices emphasizes the need for ongoing support and resources for female entrepreneurs, ensuring that they have the tools and opportunities necessary to succeed and contribute to Turkey’s economic growth.
The Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Summit underscored the significance of women’s roles in Turkey’s economic and social progress. With key players like Garanti BBVA and KAGIDER dedicating resources and support to female entrepreneurs, the future holds promise for the growth and success of women-led businesses in the country.
By focusing on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and fostering an environment that empowers and celebrates their achievements, Turkey can continue to make strides toward a more inclusive and equal business landscape, ultimately benefiting the nation’s economic development.
In the coming years, as Turkey embraces new opportunities in agriculture, sustainability, and technology, it is vital that women entrepreneurs are given the support, resources, and tools they need to excel in these fields. Organizations like KAGIDER and Garanti BBVA are leading the charge, and their commitment to female entrepreneurship will play a critical role in shaping the future of Turkey’s economy.
By working together, both private sector actors and public institutions can create a more gender-equal entrepreneurial environment, fostering a future that ensures Turkey’s continued growth and innovation.
FAQs: Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Summit
What is the Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Summit?
The Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Summit is an event celebrating and focusing on the crucial role women play in economic and social growth. This year’s conference highlighted opportunities in agriculture, sustainability, and technology, as well as the importance of empowering women and providing equal opportunities in various sectors.
Who are some key leaders at the summit?
Some key leaders at the summit included Garanti BBVA CEO Recep Baştuğ, KAGIDER Chair of the Board Esra Bezircioğlu, and Ümit Boyner from the retail giant, Boyner Group.
What is Garanti BBVA’s Women Entrepreneurs Program?
Garanti BBVA’s Women Entrepreneurs Program, introduced in 2006, aims to support women entrepreneurship by providing assistance in financing, mentorship, training, and access to new markets. The program has supplied over 150 billion TL of assistance so far and intends to continue expanding its support for female entrepreneurs.
What is KAGIDER’s role in promoting female entrepreneurship?
For 21 years, KAGIDER has worked to increase women’s entrepreneurship through collaborative projects and research with multiple stakeholders, including Garanti BBVA. The organization develops innovative programs and initiatives aimed at fostering a supportive environment for female entrepreneurs, while maintaining strong relationships with partners to create a lasting impact on the Turkish economy and contribute to closing the gender gap in business.
Why is empowering women entrepreneurs important?
Empowering women entrepreneurs is crucial in fostering a more inclusive and dynamic economy. By providing necessary resources, education, and support, Turkey can unlock its full potential, paving the way for further innovation and growth in the years to come. Empowering women entrepreneurs helps close the gender gap in business and contributes to the nation’s overall economic development.
What challenges do women entrepreneurs face, and how can they be addressed?
Women entrepreneurs face challenges such as access to resources, education, and support. These challenges can be addressed by organizations like KAGIDER and Garanti BBVA, which provide programs and initiatives designed to support women in business. By working together, private sector actors and public institutions can create a more gender-equal entrepreneurial environment, ensuring Turkey’s continued growth and innovation.
First Reported on: bbva.com
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