Organised by Nepal Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum (NYEF), the event was participated by women entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs and exemplary social entrepreneurs, among others. There were nearly 200 participants in the daylong event.

The summit focused on exploring and unleashing women’s entrepreneurial potential to fuel economic growth and prosperity. The meet highlighted the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Nepal, and provided information and advice on tools that would help start-ups as well as growing businesses.

Women from different walks of life shared their experiences with each other. In the “inspiration story sharing” session, women entrepreneurs including Laxmi Sharma, Laxmi Chhetri, Chhaya Sharma and Rita Bhandari shared their stories. Earlier in the inaugural session, Malaysia-based Rosemarry Tan delivered an inspiring keynote.

Tan is former global chairman of Entrepreneurs’ Organisation and currently creative director of PalamMesraSdn, Bhd, a Malaysia-based company.

In the “work life balance” session, Ritu Vaidya and Seema Golchha spoke on the challenges of balancing work life and personal life. They also spoke on ways to reduce struggle and lead a more fulfilling life by becoming the person a woman wants to be.

There were sessions on “developing networking and communication skills” and “mission entrepreneurship”. Other sessions include “ice breaking”, “speed networking”, and “interactive games”, according to NYEF.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Niranjan Shrestha, president of NYEF, said the event aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among the women and empowering them with a proper positive business vision.

He said NYEF has been holding similar events like “School Entrepreneurship”, “Plus Two Entrepreneurship Program”, “Young Entrepreneurs Summit” and the “Young Entrepreneurs Summit Women”. “We want to create a whole cycle of entrepreneurship,” he said.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Pradeep Jung Pandey lauded the initiative, stating promoting entrepreneurship is a noble task. “Promoting entrepreneurship is a good task.

But promoting it amongst women is more noble,” Pandey said, adding Nepali women have been able to handle several crucial positions in the country’s private sector post-1990.

He added the summit has provided a platform for women to share their pain and gain during on their road to entrepreneurship. He said the upcoming Industrial Policy has incorporated several facilities and incentives to women entrepreneurs.