US Ambassador Opens Carpet Making Enterprise

Residents of the villages of Alpan, Uzunmeshe, Kyurkun and Susai of the Guba region marked the completion of a carpet making enterprise project. This became possible as a result of the assistance of the US and the Azerbaijani government.

The event was attended by the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta, representatives of USAID, the Ministry of Economy, the Executive Power of the Guba District, and local municipalities.

During the opening of the enterprise, Ambassador Robert Cekuta in his speech said that "for any people and for any community, the development of women"s economic skills is necessary. It is very important that women in this region have the proper tools and experience to effectively contribute to their region."

The project funded by USAID and the government of Azerbaijan was led by the Sharg-Garb (East-West) Management Institute. This project will revive and protect the ancient art of carpet weaving. Within the framework of the project, about 30 women from these villages will undergo professional training, thus acquiring business opportunities. The USA and Azerbaijan through the USAID Social and Economic Development Activities (SEDA) program have implemented 108 projects in 95 communities of Azerbaijan, in which 165,000 people took part.

During the trip to Guba, Ambassador Robert Cekuta familiarized himself with the reconstruction of the Bath and Dome. This is a unique historical monument, which is currently being reconstructed through the Fund of Ambassadors for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and with the assistance of the Embassy and local partners. The uniqueness of the Bath and Dome is partly in its underground architecture and the use of hardened red bricks. The project was started in 2014 and is in the second stage of restoration. The project is expected to be completed in March 2018.

The Ambassador also met with the Jewish community and visited the Deshiv school and the local synagogue. This is reported by the US Embassy.--0--