This week, a meeting was held between representatives of ABAD and UNDP and holders of small family businesses from the Sheki and Balakan regions of Azerbaijan.

The meeting took place as part of the “Support to the Development of Small Family Businesses in the Sheki-Zaqatala Economic Zone through the ABAD Regional Centre in Balakan” project, which is funded by the European Union, co- funded by UNDP and implemented together with the ABAD public legal entity.

During the meetings, small family business holders who managed to start and grow their businesses with the support of the project informed about their ongoing production processes, current products and sales.

The project helped them purchase equipment, and experienced ABAD technologists provided the families with training on the use of equipment and business development processes. Over the past months, the families received training on dairy products, dried fruits and compote production as well as oyster mushroom growing, chicken and pheasant breeding, wood carving, carpet weaving, ceramics and painting. They also received training in safety, sanitation and hygiene standards, product storage, packaging and logistics.

The family products are now available for sale at Bolmart, Grandmart and ABAD ethno-boutiques.

Out of the 44 family businesses which are supported by this project in the areas of Balakan, Gakh, Gabala, Oguz, Sheki and Zaqatala, 23 are women-led businesses and 12 are led by internally displaced families.

The main objective of this project is to support the development of small and medium enterprises in rural areas, increase employment, and boost competitive family businesses.