FNCSI proposes for ‘MSME Development Decade’

Kathmandu / Sept. 24: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) has urged the government to accord national priority to the micro, cottage and small enterprise (MSME) sector.

It also proposed with the government declaring the next decade as an ‘MSME Development Decade’ to accord focus to the sectoral development.

In a meeting with Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle at his office on Wednesday, the FNCSI submitted a set of proposals that also included providing concessional and collateral-free loans and offering tax incentives to new industries.

“We also called for giving priority to at least 30 per cent domestic MSME products in public procurement, promoting the ‘Made in Nepal’ campaign, facilitating exports and providing government grants to help industries adopt modern technology,” it said in a statement.

It further proposed a special entrepreneurship package for women and young people returning from overseas employment, a ‘100 Start-ups–100 Investors’ programme, and the introduction of a ‘Fast-Track Industrial Service’ to expedite government services related to industries. Likewise, the FNCSI said that collaboration among the government, private sector and other stakeholders could help increase production, employment and exports and build a self-reliant economy.

Responding to the federation’s demands, Dr. Wagle said the MSME sector was a government priority.

Meanwhile, the FNCSI provided Rs. 555,555 in assistance for families affected by the floods.

Its President Shobha Gurung handed over a cheque bearing the amount. The assistance has been deposited into the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.

It also said it was collecting essential supplies for affected families and would distribute them in the affected areas shortly.

The delegation, led by President Shobha Gurung, included FNCSI’s adviser Basu Giri, Senior Vice-President Dambar Prasad Regmi, Vice-Presidents Harihar Thapa, Mohan Katwal, Satya Narayan Prajapati, Janaki Pradhan and Guna Raj Dhakal, Women Entrepreneurs Committee Chair Rita Awal, General Secretary Binod Dev Panta, and Treasurer Birendra Jatti, among others.