Young entrepreneurs say the government has failed to implement policies and programmes targeting youth entrepreneurship.

Chirag Goyal, president of Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum, Kathmandu Chapter said the government's laxity and weak implementation of policies and programmes is a major problem.

Speaking at the Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum Entrepreneurship Conclave in Kathmandu on Saturday, Goyal said the programmes included in the budget for youth entrepreneurs in the current fiscal year had not been implemented so far, which shows the government's lack of seriousness towards youth entrepreneurship.

For instance, the budget programme envisages that the youths can get loans from the banks, using their study degree as collateral, but the banks are not providing them loans. "But, it’s not the fault of the banks as there is a problem in implementation from the government side," Goyal said.

Goyal also said that women entrepreneurship is not being taken seriously and they are not being encouraged to not give up after a few failed attempts.

The youth entrepreneurs said nearly 40 percent of the total population of Nepal constitutes youth and the government should prioritise bringing them into the mainstream of the economy.

“We tried to make ‘Make in Nepal’ a movement more than a campaign which was a government campaign as well, but the allocated budget for this movement was less. "We are seeking support for this movement from the government in the budget of the next fiscal year,” said Ritesh Lamichhane, president of the national governing council, Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

“Even though I have experience as a Member of Parliament, this is my first experience as a minister and I am trying to understand many things. But I assure the youths that I am ready to provide all the support the young entrepreneurs are looking for,” said Ramesh Rijal, minister of industry, commerce and supplies.

“I am also ready to provide support to the youth entrepreneurs so that they decide against going to work in foreign countries. I request the forum that they keep in continuous contact with me,” said Rijal.

He added: “The government is trying to stop the youths from going to foreign countries and I assure you that the policies and programmes for the upcoming budget will address this."

Nepal is graduating from Least Developed Country status in 2026 and is expected to become a developed economy in 2043 and it will be possible only with the economic growth of the country, Lamichhane said.

Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum has become an apex body of young entrepreneur organisations in the country, Lamichhane said.

The Forum was founded in 2003 with the aim to stop youths from going to foreign countries in search of employment by creating employment opportunities within the country, said Lamichhane. “The forum’s focus remains the same.”

According to the Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum, it has a presence in all seven provinces, 11 chapters, 800 plus members and is providing employment to approximately 30,000 people. The forum works on four core values, namely, hunger for learning, growth, making a mark and putting the nation first.

Sobita Gautam, a member of parliament from the Rastriya Swatantra Party said the government has not worked sufficiently to give impetus to the private sector. "Youth interference in politics as well as in the economy is important and this is happening gradually," said Gautam.

“As Nepal will be graduating from LDCs in 2026 and will be kept away from the facilities on trade, it has become even more important to focus on youth entrepreneurship," she added.