Number of women entrepreneurs on the rise in Turkey

By Huseyin Karatepe and Aysenur Saglam

ANKARA (AA) - The number of women entrepreneurs in Turkey has jumped 35 percent to over 250,000 since 2013, according to a study released by the Ministry of Customs and Trade on Wednesday.

As of March 1, 2017, there are 256,992 women business owners, compared to 190,382 in 2013, the study said, adding the share of women entrepreneurs went up to 15 percent from 12.7 percent over the same period.

Istanbul boasts the largest number of women entrepreneurs with 31,073, followed by Izmir 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 only 102 women entrepreneurs. Bayburt has a population of 78,550 according to 2015 census.

The study also revealed that a whopping 84.4 percent of women-owned businesses are beauty salons. Nurseries and kindergartens come next with 72.5%, while hair salons are third with 65.7%.

Alternative therapy centers and translation offices round up the top five, with 63.4% and 50%, respectively.

Customs and Trade Minister Bulent Tufenkci 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.