Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Entrepreneurs and business leaders have called for a more investment-friendly environment and the end to legal complexities to facilitate the establishment and promotion of startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through a one-stop service system. Speaking at the Nepal Startup and SMEs Conference, organized by the Nepali Congress (NC) in Lalitpur on Wednesday, they emphasized the need to eliminate legal barriers to investment.
President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Dhakal, said that the recent ordinances have eased conditions for industrialists and entrepreneurs. “These legal reforms are important. It has encouraged industrialists by driving economic reforms. I urge the government to implement it promptly,” he said.
Dhakal further added that since FNCCI cannot represent all entrepreneurs, political parties should encourage such innovative initiatives to attract youth towards investment and startups. “It took me 40 years to reach this stage. Previously, the challenges were immense, but now the situation is much easier. Banks and financial institutions have made loan access more convenient, and various summits are creating new opportunities,” he added.
Similarly, the President of the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Associations of Nepal (FWEAN), Shobha Gyawali, underscored the need to prioritize domestic products. “Financial networking is crucial for businesses to operate smoothly. Banks and financial institutions must trust entrepreneurs. Until we can use Nepal-made products ourselves, we cannot achieve self-sufficiency. First, we must believe in ourselves,” she added.
FWEAN currently has 5,500 women entrepreneurs as members and has played a role in connecting thousands more across the country.
Gyawali added that Nepali women are striving to become self-reliant and urged the government to ensure equal opportunities for women in both politics and business. “Women make up 52% of the population. We seek 50% representation in politics and business, and the government must provide us with opportunities,” she added.
Likewise, Siddhant Raj Pandey, CEO of Business Oxygen, underscored the need to create a hassle-free investment environment to prevent the outmigration of young talent. “Many young Nepalis are earning millions through side businesses. The problem is not a lack of opportunities but the need to remove legal hurdles and facilitate investment,” he said. He also advocated for opening up alternative investment avenues to reduce dependence on banks and financial institutions.
Nirvana Chaudhary, Managing Director of Chaudhary Group, acknowledged that financial institutions have created a favorable investment climate. “If the government encourages innovation and simplifies legal frameworks for the private sector, the economy will not suffer,” he said, emphasizing that economic transformation is possible if young people are inspired to engage in entrepreneurship with a positive mindset.
Umesh Kumar Gupta, head of the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute, who has been working in the entrepreneurship sector for 27 years, said that the startup ecosystem in Nepal has been expanding rapidly. “In recent years, the startup landscape has broadened significantly. We continue to support entrepreneurs until they achieve sustainability. Since last year, we have introduced policies that include startup loans, and the foundation is being laid for even greater expansion in the future,” he said.
The conference concludes on Thursday.
