From waste to opportunity: The path to a sustainable business

What may seem like useless waste to some can become an opportunity for others. The story of Gulmira Jumaeva, a resident of the Olmazor neighborhood in Kattakurgan District, Samarkand Region, is a perfect example of this. At first glance, Gulmira Jumaeva appears to be a calm, hardworking woman, much like many others. However, behind this image lies years of experience and dedication in a field that is rarely associated with women’s entrepreneurship.

Gulmira is engaged in the recycling of secondary raw materials. She collects and sorts metal, plastic, and rubber, transforming materials that are often discarded as waste into valuable resources. For Gulmira, recycling is not only a business activity but also a meaningful contribution to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability.

Photo: HAMROH – Women's entrepreneurship support company

Several years ago, Gulmira established two companies — Samad Mega Metall LLC and Mansurbek Qo‘rg‘on LLC. In the early stages of their operations, production capacity was modest, and the workforce consisted of around 30 employees. Nevertheless, she firmly believed in the potential of the recycling industry to grow and create value for both the economy and society.

A major turning point in her entrepreneurial journey came when she joined the HAMROH program. In 2025, Gulmira received a preferential loan designed to support women entrepreneurs. The funding enabled her to purchase new equipment, expand her recycling operations, and create additional employment opportunities.

Gulmira herself describes her journey this way:

“When I first started the business, many people doubted that a woman could successfully manage this type of production. Today, we have an entire team working with us, and we are proud to be doing something that benefits both people and the environment.”

Today, her companies employ more than 50 people. Their annual turnover has reached 2 billion UZS, while production capacity has nearly doubled. One particularly significant achievement is that the enterprises now process not only metal but also plastic and rubber. These materials are converted into granules that are in high demand among local manufacturing plants.

Gulmira Jumaeva’s experience clearly demonstrates how secondary raw materials can be transformed into valuable resources and how a small-scale operation can grow into a sustainable enterprise that creates jobs and contributes to economic development.

However, she has no intention of stopping at what has already been achieved. Her future plans include launching a new sorting line and opening collection points in neighboring districts. These initiatives will further strengthen and expand the business, creating even greater opportunities for growth and impact.

Gulmira Jumaeva’s story is about more than production figures and business growth. It is a story of leadership, determination, and the opportunities that can emerge when timely support is provided. HAMROH has played an important role in supporting her sustainable growth, and as her business continues to succeed, its positive impact on the surrounding community continues to expand.

“With the support of HAMROH, I was able to expand my production capacity and strengthen my business. Now I am convinced that if a woman believes in herself and works with determination, she can successfully manage a business even in this industry,” says Gulmira Jumaeva.

Photo: HAMROH – Women's entrepreneurship support company