KATHMANDU, Dec 15: The Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN) has expressed concern to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal regarding the government’s decision to assign the responsibility of building the Women Entrepreneurs Green Industrial Park (WEGrIP) to the umbrella organization of women entrepreneurs.

The foundation stone for the Green Industrial Park (WEGrIP) was laid in Panchkhal, Kavre, on Wednesday, excluding FWEAN's involvement, despite the project being initiated through the active lobbying and initiation of the women entrepreneurs' body.

On Friday, a team led by FWEAN President Shova Gyawali submitted a letter to Prime Minister Dahal regarding Women Entrepreneurs Green Industrial Park (WEGrIP), urging him to reconsider the policy. FWEAN also highlighted the breach of the earlier contract.

FWEAN reminded the Prime Minister of the tripartite agreement made on August 23, 2019, involving Kavre Municipality and the South Asian Women's Development Forum (SAWDF), to collaborate with FWEAN in leading the creation of a Green Industrial Village for Women Entrepreneurs in Panchkhal. Disregarding this agreement, Panchkhal Municipality expedited the process in collaboration only with SAWDF after laying the foundation stone.

In the letter addressed to Prime Minister Dahal, FWEAN President Gyawali demanded that the government entrust FWEAN with the responsibility of leading the green industrial village, allowing it to play a central role in future policy-making processes.

FWEAN presented five reasons justifying its leadership role in the industrial village's development. Over the past 20 years, the government has pledged to provide a green industrial village for women. FWEAN has expanded its network across 66 districts, encompassing 5,250 direct and over 50,000 indirect women entrepreneurs. Additionally, FWEAN supports women entrepreneurs and affiliates with organizations such as the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), FACAI, FHAN, which further strengthens its case.

The FWEAN argued that they have supported women in small and medium businesses, contributing approximately 77 percent to employment nationwide. Moreover, FWEAN claims to have played a role in making the state self-sufficient by promoting indigenous products produced in the country.

FWEAN, comprising women from various sectors including agriculture, tourism, handicrafts, technology, and services, and having leadership roles in organizations that formulate policies and rules to promote women entrepreneurship, insists that the green industrial park should be led by FWEAN.

The construction of this park aims to generate employment for women, develop women's entrepreneurship, and establish industries, with an investment of about one billion rupees as part of the Village Agricultural and Industrial Development Programmes announced by the government.

On March 3, 2020, a dispute arose between Panchkhal Municipality, SAWDF, and FWEAN when the agreement between them was not implemented. FWEAN, committed to empowering women entrepreneurs, expressed dissatisfaction with its collaboration with SAWDF, alleging exclusion based on political connections. There are claims that SAWDF President Pramila Acharya Rijal utilized political leverage to advance the park's construction, deliberately excluding FWEAN. The controversy escalated as Mahesh Kharel, Mayor of Panchkhal Municipality and Rijal's brother-in-law, supported Rijal despite the need for collective efforts in developing women entrepreneurship. SAWDF operates as a loose regional forum

 
• WEGrIP
 
• FWEAN
 
• SAWDF