The Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Nepal has urged the government to make its strategic partnership with the government more effective to achieve the national goals of economic transformation, production growth, import substitution, export promotion and women's economic empowerment.

In a discussion held between Prime Minister Balendra Shah and the officials of the Federation at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Thursday, Prime Minister Shah informed that the government is working to remove all obstacles for women entrepreneurs and will create an environment to promote their products in every tourist destination.

The discussion was attended by President Darshana Shrestha, First Vice President Sunita Baidya Shrestha, Third Vice President Mahalaxmi Shrestha, General Secretary Sarita Subedi, Secretary Dikila Sherpa Lama and Executive Member Anuja Rajbhandari Shrestha.

In the discussion, the representatives of the Federation demanded a business-friendly environment where they can work confidently, special programs and mandatory participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, BTU (Business Matching) and export promotion programs to bring goods and services to the national and international markets. Accepting the request to establish the ‘Ma Udyami’ trademark brand brought by the Federation in the market, Federation President Darshana Shrestha said that Prime Minister Shah has encouraged us to immediately bring this brand to the market.

Shrestha said that she has been encouraged to work with support and commitment from the Prime Minister for women entrepreneurship. She also said that the Prime Minister’s good understanding of women entrepreneurship and their contribution to the economy has given us more encouragement to work.

Shrestha said that Prime Minister Shah has also told us to work in an integrated and value chain manner since many women entrepreneurs produce the same product, but in small quantities. She said that the Prime Minister has also informed that the government is working to extend such facilities to villages and expand the scope as real women industrialists are not getting financial concessions.

The Federation has urged the Federation to ensure effective implementation of existing policies and programs through effective coordination between the Federation, provinces and municipalities. The Federation demands that administrative processes including business registration, renewal, and licensing be made simpler, more transparent and technology-friendly.

The Federation has suggested that special programs should be conducted to expand the national and international market access of women entrepreneurs' products, increase the participation of women entrepreneurs in trade fairs, exhibitions, BTU business matching and export promotion programs, and promote the 'Made by Women Entrepreneurs of Nepal' brand as a national campaign.

The Federation has urged the International Women's Trade Fair being organized by the Federation to be recognized as a national program to promote women's entrepreneurship and to ensure policy, technical and financial support from the government. The Federation believes that connecting rural and local women entrepreneurs with the market by conducting provincial-level women's trade fairs in all seven provinces will help promote local products, tourism, agriculture, handicrafts, increase exports, create employment and contribute to inclusive economic development.

The Federation's General Secretary Sarita Subedi said that emphasis should be placed on the use of products produced by women entrepreneurs and that loans should be provided to women entrepreneurs at concessional interest rates. She said that this will increase production and create a large number of jobs. She emphasizes the need to effectively promote herbs and indigenous products from the Himalayan region in the international market. She said that Nepali embassies abroad should work with a goal to expand the market for Nepali products. She said that if Nepal can increase the export of Nepali products, Nepal can move towards reducing the trade deficit.

The Prime Minister expressed his commitment to immediately coordinate with the relevant bodies on all the demands raised by the Federation. Subedi said that the Prime Minister has assured that discussions will be held with the Nepal Rastra Bank on issues related to concessional loans and that the Federation's demands will be addressed as soon as possible.

The Federation has demanded that the Public Procurement Act and Regulations provide for prioritizing goods and services produced by women-owned industries and businesses. The memorandum also suggests that government offices, public corporations, schools, hospitals and local levels should arrange for a certain percentage of goods and services to be purchased from women entrepreneurs.

The Federation demands that the concessional loan limit be increased to expand financial access, that additional high-limit loans be provided to women entrepreneurs who repay their loans regularly, that alternative arrangements for collateral be provided, that credit guarantees be developed, and that innovative financial instruments be developed.

The Federation also demands that its Business Development Center be developed as a national business development partner in collaboration with the Government of Nepal and that it operate integrated services related to business consulting, capacity development, financial and digital literacy, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, innovation, market information, and export preparation.

Keeping in mind the reality of an import-oriented economy, the system related to maximum retail price should be made practical according to foreign exchange rates, customs duties, transportation costs, and market conditions, and that the VAT registration limit be increased from the current Rs. 5 million per year to at least Rs. 10 million.

The Federation also demands that the products of women entrepreneurs be displayed and sold with priority at international airports, tourist areas, hotels, museums, government gift centers, and souvenir shops.

Nepal's natural fiber products including allo, dhaka, pashmina, silk, banana, bamboo, hemp, cotton and wool have been urged to be developed as a national brand and trademark called 'Nepal Natural Fibers' and to provide necessary policy, technical and financial support in the entire value chain from production to international markets.

The Federation emphasizes the need to run an integrated value chain development program that covers production, processing, value addition, quality certification, branding, cold chain, market access and export promotion of high-potential agricultural products such as tea, coffee, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, honey, herbs, fruits and vegetables, run under women's leadership.