She Exports Program helps women entrepreneurs reach European markets
One hundred businesswomen benefited from grants and training workshops within the She Exports program. The entrepreneurs, from both banks of the Nistru, want to export to the European Union. National experts in negotiation and leadership offered them valuable advice that will help them assert themselves on the community market, where quality standards are high.
Maria Bumbu is from Chisinau and started her business four years ago. She creates eco-friendly bags made of wood and canvas. With support from the She Exports program, she has modernized her workshop.
“This is the bag we started with: a box with side walls. Now, it is a super cool and flexible bag that is very easy to fold. We invested in a machine that saves us manufacturing time,” says Maria Bumbu.
We also met two female entrepreneurs from the left bank of the Nistru, from the cities of Tighina and Tiraspol, who are developing their businesses in different fields: wine production and children's clothing manufacturing.
“I am a mother of four children. It all started with the kindergarten festivities, when there was a need for stage costumes. The market here is tiny; a model cannot be displayed in many stores because of limited availability. That is why I have to keep developing myself,” says entrepreneur Julia Pantiusenco.
“For us, exports are significant. Our clients are very particular, and to identify them, we need to acquire specific knowledge that we receive thanks to this project,” says entrepreneur Alexandra Chislov.
The project implementation managers aim for the products from our entrepreneurs to reach countries in the European Union, such as Romania and Germany, as well as Asian markets, which are increasingly accessible for businesses from the Republic of Moldova.
"Once we start exporting, it will be a different market, and we need to have production capacity. Local companies must invest in training, which includes certification and meeting production and quality standards,” says Anatolie Palade, director of the AO Business Consulting Center.
“Women who are mothers of multiple children, those with disabilities, and those caring for people with special needs or elderly parents comprise a group that needs support. We are currently working to provide as much assistance as possible,” says Tatiana Udrea, UN Women Moldova program coordinator.
She Exports is a program designed to support women entrepreneurs. It is implemented by the Business Consulting Center and the Business Consulting Agency "Dnestr Enterprises," in partnership with UN Women Moldova. The program has received $150,000 in financial support from Switzerland as part of the "Women for Peace and Prosperity" project.
