KATHMANDU, Dec 2: Women entrepreneurs have demanded that the government provide them subsidize loans.

They also said that the loans being provided through Entrepreneurs Development Fund is insufficient. Most of the women entrepreneurs, who attended an interaction in Kathmandu on Thursday organized on the sidelines of the 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Federation of Women's Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN), said that they were facing difficult in getting loans.

Sarswati Sharma of Banke said that the banks should provide them loan against their industrial enterprises as collateral. “Banks do not sanction loans unless we pledge our house or land as collateral. How can a woman, who does not have land or house in her name, get loans from the banks?” Sharma wondered.

She also urged the government to provide tax waivers and other facilities so that their exportable products can compete with the Indian products.

Women entrepreneurs from 29 districts are attending the FWEAN AGM. 

Speaking at the program, Rita Bhandary, president of FWEAN, said that the federation has been advocating for subsidized loans, and training and market management for women entrepreneurs. Bhandary also said that women entrepreneurs were getting only Rs 300,000 in loans from the Entrepreneurs Development Fund.

Anamika Singh, executive director of the federation, said that the government should waive of registration and other fees to encourage women entrepreneurs. “We are trying to develop capacity of women entrepreneurs,” she said, adding: “Market management is one of the big challenges for women entrepreneurs.”

The AGM will elect FWEAN's new leadership.

 
• women entrepreneurs
 
• subsidized loans