Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The 26th national general convention of the Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) and 23rd National Women Entrepreneurs Conference is taking place in Lalitpur from coming Sunday.

Organizing a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday, it was informed that the FNJ is gearing up for its national general convention which is about to enter into its 37th year after completing 36 years of its establishment. Federation President Umesh Prasad Singh said that the general convention will be held on June 9 and June 7 with the participation of industrialists from all over the country.

According to him, since its establishment in 2047 BS, the Federation has been working for the protection of rights and interests of micro, domestic and small entrepreneurs, development of entrepreneurship and leadership capacity enhancement of women entrepreneurs. Currently, the federation has expanded to all seven provinces, 77 districts and more than 300 local levels. Similarly, Women Entrepreneurs Committees are active in seven provinces, 62 districts and various municipalities under the Central Women Entrepreneurs Committee.

According to the federation, around 1,000 people including representatives from all seven provinces and 77 districts of the country are taking part in the general convention. The conference is expected to hold extensive discussions on organizational strengthening, review of past activities, determination of future course of action and challenges and opportunities in the micro, cottage and small industries sector, said FNCCI Vice-President Shebha Gurung.

Gurung said that the general convention would prepare important plans and programmes on the issues of women entrepreneurship development, economic empowerment, innovation and expansion of market access. An exhibition of Nepali products produced by the industrialists will also be organized during the general convention.

The federation has formed various sub-committees for the successful implementation of the program and has completed the necessary preparations. The cooperation and participation of the stakeholders and media is expected to make the programme grand, civilized and result-oriented.

On the occasion, coordinator of the general convention management committee Mohan Katuwal and general secretary Dambar Prasad Regmi put their views on the preparations for the general convention.

FNCCI senior vice-president Surya Kandel, vice-presidents Mukesh Upadhyay, Chandan Krishna Shrestha, Harihar Thapa, Shanta Baskota, treasurer Achyut Pandey, senior vice-president of FNCCI Women Entrepreneur Committee Rita Awal, among other central office-bearers of FNCCI were present on the occasion.

Perception of the Budget

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Meanwhile, the FNCCI has made its views public on the budget for the fiscal year 2083/84 presented by the government. Welcoming the budget overall, the FNCCI expressed the belief that it would contribute positively to economic revival, promotion of productive sector and morale enhancement of private sector.

However, the federation has complained that the budget has not paid enough attention to the development and promotion of micro, cottage and small industries. Industry and business-friendly tax policy, entrepreneurship development programme, promotion of digital economy, production and employment growth, energy and infrastructure development have been taken as positive aspects of the association.

The FNCCI urged the government to implement the programmes announced in the budget, easy financial access, protection and promotion of domestic products, special incentives to youths and women entrepreneurs, skill development and market management.

According to the Federation, additional policy and programmatic initiatives are needed to address the problems faced by small entrepreneurs due to increase in construction materials, energy and transportation cost. The federation has also urged the government to implement a clear action plan to encourage the use and promotion of domestic products.

The FNCCI has pledged to play active role in the campaign of economic prosperity, employment generation and self-reliant economy in collaboration with the government.