KATHMANDU, Jan 30: Speakers at the Startup and SME Conference organized by the Nepali Congress (NC) at the party headquarters in Sanepa on Thursday emphasized the need for women-friendly laws to enhance female participation in entrepreneurship. During the second session of the conference organized by the NC’s Entrepreneurship and SME Development Department, panelists called for policy reforms to eliminate state-imposed barriers.
Sambridhi Gyawali, Managing Director of Nepal Republic Media Limited, highlighted challenges in making domestic products globally competitive. She said that success in entrepreneurship is achievable if opportunities are utilized effectively.
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JCI (Junior Chamber International) National President Rajani Thapa underscored the importance of adaptability for women entrepreneurs. She said that while state policies often prioritize women, access to financial resources remains unequal. "A person with property can easily secure loans for business, but women face additional hurdles," she said, advocating for legal reforms and entrepreneurship education in schools.
Yamuna Shrestha, Nepal Chief of BYD Nepal, acknowledged the growing impact of women's entrepreneurship in both urban and rural areas. She called for dedicated entrepreneurship centers to further support business initiatives led by women.
Nikita Acharya, founder of UG Cakes, shared her journey from launching a small business in 2012 to expanding it significantly. While policies exist to support women entrepreneurs, she pointed out that many women remain excluded, urging the state to implement more inclusive reforms.
Former NRN President Rabina Thapa stressed the vital role of women entrepreneurs in economic growth. Drawing from her personal experience, she highlighted bureaucratic obstacles in business registration and called for streamlined processes to ease entrepreneurship in Nepal.
