Closing Meeting on Promoting Women’s Participation in Export Control held in Bishkek
On 17 February 2026, the Closing Meeting of the project “Promoting the Advancement, Leadership, and Increased Participation of Kyrgyz Women in Export Control” was held in Bishkek, organized by the Center for Export Control within the framework of the Women in Export Control (WEC) initiative with the support of the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
The event brought together participants of the mentorship program, representatives of government authorities, academia, and practitioners in the field of strategic trade control to review project achievements, present practical outcomes, and discuss future cooperation aimed at strengthening women’s professional engagement in export control.
Objectives of the Meeting
The Closing Meeting aimed to:
- present the results of the project and mentorship program;
- showcase practical mini-projects developed by participants;
- strengthen cooperation among government institutions, academia, and the private sector;
- support leadership development and professional advancement of women in the export control system of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The meeting was officially opened by Jyldyz Sydygalieva, Executive Director of the Center for Export Control, who highlighted the project’s importance in fostering a sustainable expert community and enhancing women’s leadership in strategic trade control.
Presentation of Participants’ Projects
A central part of the program featured presentations of mini-projects developed by participants together with their mentors under the mentorship scheme.
The presentations included practical tools and guidance materials, such as:
- Guidelines for reviewing applications for export, import, re-export and transit authorizations related to controlled goods;
- A practical guide on interagency cooperation in identifying movements of dual-use items;
- A training manual on implementing Internal Compliance Programs (ICP) in the Kyrgyz Republic;
- the launch of the awareness-raising Instagram platform @ec_info.kg, designed to improve understanding among businesses and foreign trade operators regarding export control requirements and procedures.
The projects were developed with the expert support of mentors representing government authorities, customs training institutions, and academia.
Feedback and Professional Development
During the concluding discussion session, participants reflected on their experience in the program, emphasizing:
- increased professional confidence;
- strengthened practical competencies in export control;
- enhanced interagency cooperation;
- the creation of a sustainable professional network of women experts.
The discussion also explored opportunities for future initiatives and continued cooperation among public institutions, universities, and industry stakeholders.
Certificate Ceremony and Project Closure
The meeting concluded with a certificate award ceremony recognizing participants’ successful completion of the mentorship program and expressing appreciation to mentors for their contribution. The event ended with a networking reception, allowing participants to continue professional exchanges and strengthen partnerships.
Project Impact
The project represents an important step toward promoting gender equality and strengthening human capacity in strategic trade control in Kyrgyzstan. It contributed to developing practical expertise, leadership skills, and a new generation of professionals capable of supporting the continued advancement of the national export control system in line with international standards.
