Number of women entrepreneurs on rise in Turkey

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

The number of women entrepreneurs in Turkey has jumped 35 percent to over 250,000 since 2013, according to a study released by the Customs and Trade Ministry on March 8.      

As of March 1, there were 256,992 women business owners, compared to 190,382 in 2013, the study said, adding that the share of women entrepreneurs rose 15 percent from 12.7 percent over the same period.      

Istanbul boasts the largest number of women entrepreneurs with 31,073, followed by İzmir and Ankara, which have 21,761 and 13,587 women business owners, respectively.      

The least-populated northern province of Bayburt, on the other hand, has just 102 women entrepreneurs. Bayburt had a population of 78,550, according to a 2015 census.      

The study also revealed that a whopping 84.4 percent of women-owned businesses were beauty salons.

Nurseries and kindergartens come next with 72.5 percent, while hair salons were third at 65.7 percent.    
 
Alternative therapy centers and translation offices round out the top five at 63.4 percent and 50 percent, respectively. Customs and Trade Minister Bulent Tüfenkci told Anadolu Agency that the government sought to further increase the number of women entrepreneurs in the country, which he said was essential in terms of ensuring sustainable development.      

“We have lots of women entrepreneurs who have become role models in the global business world.
     
“As the government, we will continue to support our women, and take the necessary steps to promote their presence in business,” he said.