Kathmandu, Jan 29: Nepali Congress
(NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has stressed the
need for exploring entrepreneurship opportunities at the local level to create
jobs and achieve self-sufficiency.
Speaking at the inauguration of the
Nepal Startup and Small and Medium Enterprises Conference organized by the NC
Department for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Department here today, he highlighted that local entrepreneurship development
would contribute to job creation, ultimately leading us to
self-sufficiency.
Lately, people's attraction to
startup has increased and youths are exploring their creativity with small
investment in it, according to the leader who echoed the need for facilities
such as concessional loans, training and skill development opportunities, and
special grants to support startups. He also urged entrepreneurs to practice
patience for the long-term sustainability of their businesses.
The former Prime Minister also
underscored the importance of developing key sectors such as agriculture,
forestry, and tourism to boost the country's economic growth. He went on to say
that recent revisions to various laws and regulations aimed at eliminating
obstacles to investment and business would help promote these sectors.
Deuba further advised the state to
prioritize the development of the IT sector, stating that political stability,
proper utilization of natural resources, development of human resources, and
coordinated mobilization of capital and technology were essential for advancing
the IT sector.
The former Prime Minister expressed
his belief that the conclusions of the conference would provide valuable
guidance for the party in preparing an action plan and for the government in
policy formulation. The event also aims to compile a report and a book based on
the conference's outcomes, build a network of youth capable of contributing to
entrepreneurship and economic growth, and promote local products through policy
reforms and exhibitions.
"We are all hopeful of
achieving the desired results through collective efforts," Deuba
added.
The two-day conference, which began
today at the Nepali Congress central office in Sanepa, Lalitpur, primarily
targets encouraging and supporting youth and women interested in starting their
own businesses.