We Have The Skills, Not The Capital: Women Entrepreneur

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We Have The Skills, Not The Capital: Women Entrepreneur

January 20: “We have the zeal and the skills to get into entrepreneurship, but we lack the capital,” expressed the women entrepreneurs of Chitwan at an interaction programme organized on Sunday (January 19).

At the programme, which was jointly organized by New Business Age Pvt Ltd and Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chitwan (CCIC), the entrepreneurs complained about not having access to the special collateral-less loan scheme and grants provided by the government.

Speaking at the programme, local entrepreneurs complained of the agonizingly slow loan approval process at banks and also the apathy shown by the Cottage and Small Industries Office. They said that the banks often did not trust them and their businesses. They stated that the lack of funds was preventing them from expanding their businesses.

Nimesh Shrestha, manager of the Narayangadh branch of Standard Chartered Bank, emphasized the need to follow the proper process and present the required documents. “The bank has no problem in providing loans and grants to any women entrepreneur as long as they meet the criteria.”

Similarly, Nirmala Acharya, representative of the Narayangadh branch of Muktinath Development Bank, also expressed that the bank was always ready to support women enterprises.

Speaking to the participants of the interaction programme, Muna Kumari Shrestha, deputy chief of the District Coordination Committee, asked the women to utilize their skill and labor within the country instead of going abroad for work. She also stated that entrepreneurship was the best path for women to become independent and empowered.

Raju Shrestha, newly elected president of CCIC, highlighted the various programs the chamber has been organizing to promote and support women entrepreneurship. “We recently organized the Women Entrepreneurship Festival,” he said adding, “We have also launched a gift shop to market the women’s products.”

TP Bhusal, chief reporter of Aarthik Abhiyan Daily (published by New Business Age) informed the participants about the Newbiz Business Women Awards the organization was organizing on the occasion of International Women’s Day.  Similarly, Bal Singh Pokharel, the New Business Age’s marketing manager, talked to the women about various issues related to the operation and expansion of a business such as registration, investment, insurance, capital utilization etc.

The title sponsor of the programme is Standard Chartered Bank Limited and it was organized in association with Muktinath Development Bank. FNCCI along with chambers of 10 different districts and Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs' Association of Nepal (FEWAN) are associate partners for the event while Star Hospital is the medical partner. The programme is also supported by Sitaram Gokul Milks, Nimbus Group, Progressive Finance and Reliable Life Insurance.

Upcoming programmes will be held in Pokhara, Butwal, Surkhet and Dhangadhi.

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