Kathmandu: The President of the Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN), Darshana Shrestha, paid a courtesy visit to the office of the International Relations & Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD) in Bishalnagar, where she was warmly welcomed by Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal and Vice President Bimal Dhakal.
She was accompanied by members of FWEAN’s Executive Committee: Sunita Vaidya Shrestha (First Vice President), Basanti Pradhan (Second Vice President), and Dikila Sherpa Lama (Secretary).
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between IRGDD and FWEAN to promote women’s entrepreneurship, expand policy advocacy, and create stronger institutional support mechanisms for women-led businesses across Nepal.
During the discussion, Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal emphasized the importance of building a globally connected entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nepal. She highlighted the rapidly evolving global and regional political landscape and stressed the need for entrepreneurs, particularly women, to adapt to these dynamics by becoming more resilient, innovative, and technologically driven. She also underlined the importance of research, policy dialogue, and international engagement to ensure that Nepali entrepreneurs remain competitive in an increasingly interconnected world.
President Darshana Shrestha presented the priorities and ongoing activities of FWEAN, highlighting the federation’s role in empowering women entrepreneurs throughout Nepal and strengthening networks that support women-led enterprises. She reaffirmed FWEAN’s commitment to enhancing entrepreneurship opportunities, skill development, and market access for women across the country.
Dr. Dhakal further expressed IRGDD’s readiness to collaborate closely with FWEAN in supporting women entrepreneurs from all 77 districts of Nepal. She noted that IRGDD can contribute through policy advocacy, international relations support, research collaboration, training programs, and global networking opportunities to help expand the capacity and visibility of Nepali women entrepreneurs.
As a leading think tank dedicated to advancing diplomacy, development, and global engagement, IRGDD reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to Nepal’s economic growth. FWEAN, as the umbrella organization representing more than 6,000 women entrepreneurs across Nepal, plays a crucial role in strengthening the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting inclusive economic development.
Both sides expressed strong interest in working together in the coming months to develop joint programs, research initiatives, policy dialogues, and capacity-building efforts aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs, strengthening their participation in national and global value chains, and enhancing their contribution to Nepal’s evolving economic landscape.
