Kathmandu: Women entrepreneurs, financial institutions, government representatives, and development partners came together in Surkhet, Karnali Province to strengthen Karnali’s MSME ecosystem and expand opportunities for women-led businesses on June 26.
Organized by ILO Nepal and UN Women Nepal under the Empowered Women Prosperous Nepal (EWPN) programme, the event fostered dialogue on access to finance, markets, digital solutions, and business support, reinforcing that investing in women entrepreneurs is key to building a more inclusive and prosperous Karnali.
The event saw participation of innovative digital solution providers such as Karobar App, ESewa, and eGrow Tech, helping MSMEs explore practical digital tools for business growth. Participants also accessed services from FNCCI on business formalization, Birendranagar Municipality on the Social Security Fund (SSF) and Himalayan Everest Insurance, Laxmi Sunrise Bank and NMB Bank on financial services, bringing finance, digital innovation, formalization, and social security services together in one place.
Ms. Pabitra Ghimire, Member, Confederation of Nepalese Industries- Women Leadership Forum, Ms Sarita Rawal, Member, District Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr Khagendra Khatri, Law Officer, Ministry of Industries Tourism Forests and Environment and Mr Saroj Nepal, MSME and Financial Sector Expert from Dolma Consulting, participated as panellists and provided their respective expertise on promoting women entrepreneurship and MSMES . Honourable. Ghanshyam Bhandari, Minister, Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) and Ms Roshani Kumari Shrestha, Secretary, MoSD graced the occasion with their presence and provided valuable remarks supporting the MSME in Karnali Pradesh.
MSMEs represent over 90% of businesses worldwide and create two out of every three jobs. In Nepal, strengthening MSMEs, especially women-led enterprises is key to creating decent jobs and building more resilient local economies.
On MSME Day, ILO Nepal reaffirms its commitment to empowering MSMEs through entrepreneurship, innovation, and access to finance for inclusive and sustainable growth
