Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: A meeting of the Startup and Innovation Forum under the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) concluded in Kathmandu today.

The meeting has emphasized on intensifying collaboration for promoting startups and innovation in Nepal, prioritizing policy reforms, investment-friendly environment and entrepreneurship development programs.

Federation senior vice president Anjan Shrestha said that the startup ecosystem could not be strengthened without expanding innovation-friendly policies and financial access. He said that the federation will be active in providing market access, mentorship and regulatory clarity to the startups.

He also stressed on making training, technical support and incubation services more effective for innovative enterprises.

Vice President Hemraj Dhakal highlighted the need of policy facilitation on tax and investment to encourage startups and innovation enterprises.

Vice-President Jyotsna Shrestha said that women and youth entrepreneurship should be at the center of the startup policy and expanded capacity building and networking programs to build inclusive enterprise environment.

Likewise, Treasurer Bharat Raj Acharya stressed on the need of transforming the Startup and Innovation Forum under the federation into a committee.

Executive Director of the Industrial Business Development Foundation, Engineer Umesh Kumar Gupta, said that the government programs would be implemented in collaboration with the private sector, noting that there have been policy reforms in the areas of startups and innovation.

Forum President Juna Mathema briefed about the activities of the Forum, expansion of partnerships, startup showcase and policy dialogue program and stressed the need for strengthening the entrepreneur-investor platform in the days ahead.