KATHMANDU, March 30: The 7th International Women Entrepreneurs Business Fair 2024 has started in the capital from Friday.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the fair amidst a special ceremony organized in Lalitpur under the chairmanship of Shobha Gyawali, president of the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs' Associations of Nepal (FWEAN).

Inaugurating the fair, Prime Minister Dahal emphasized that economic empowerment is crucial for women's empowerment. He said, "Compared to the past, the status of Nepali women is gradually improving. However, the progress made so far is not enough, as women, who constitute half of the population, deserve more. That's why collaborative efforts are necessary for women's empowerment. In today's world, financial access is fundamental to empowering women.”

He further explained, “Empowerment is intertwined with power, which in turn is linked to resources. True empowerment cannot be achieved without financial independence. Hence, the government has prioritized this issue.”

During the event, Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that the government has implemented tax exemptions and provided incentives for industries and businesses run by women. He promised that these benefits would be expanded in the future.

Prime Minister Dahal added, "Establishing a women's entrepreneur fund is crucial to support nation-building efforts by socially and economically empowering Nepali women through the development of women's entrepreneurship. The government has introduced tax exemptions and other incentive measures to support women-led industries, and we plan to increase these initiatives in the coming days.”

The fair, running until April 2, aims to promote goods and services produced by women entrepreneurs on both national and international levels. Shobha Gyawali, president of the FWEAN, mentioned that the fair will assist women entrepreneurs in broadening their business opportunities.

Gyawali said, "Entrepreneurs are managing their businesses independently, either through self-learning or through guidance from the Federation. The fair, however, provides a unique opportunity for them to learn from the experiences of their peers—understanding their successes and failures, and gaining insights on how to improve."

FWEAN, which operates under the primary slogan 'Eat Local, Wear Local, and Promote Local Entrepreneurship', is offering free stalls at the fair to long-standing women entrepreneurs who possess skills and capabilities but are financially challenged and in need of support.

Gyawali said that 12 stalls have been sponsored through the federation's CSR fund. She further explained that women entrepreneurs struggling to grow their businesses due to financial constraints will be provided with 'seed money' and opportunities tailored to their skills.

Additionally, the fair includes provisions for economically disadvantaged individuals, allowing them free access to purchase goods of their choice.

 
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