KATHMANDU, March 16: Country representatives of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Nepal have conducted consultations with leaders of various industry associations to gather feedback about ADB’s and the World Bank Group (WBG)’s engagements in Nepal.

Faris H. Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Nepal, and Arnaud Cauchois, ADB’s Country Director, jointly convened a meeting with leaders of private sector industry associations in Nepal on Friday.

The consultation meeting was convened as part of the preparation of their respective new country strategies for Nepal, conducted in close coordination with the Government of Nepal.

Consultations with leaders of private sector industry associations follow stakeholder consultations across all seven provinces, encompassing both public and private sectors. Stakeholders for these consultations included the Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, and key government entities interfacing with the private sector.

Industry associations presented their suggestions on ways to better support private sector development, including the Public-Private Partnership environment in Nepal.

During the session, President of the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Associations of Nepal (FWEAN), Shova Gyawali, proposed increased investment in women entrepreneurs in Nepal, citing that many male members of families are compelled to seek employment abroad.