President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandraprasad Dhakal, has emphasized the need to promote gender-sensitive, sustainable, and resilient tourism enterprises for the development of Nepal’s tourism sector.
Speaking at a high-level policy dialogue in Kathmandu on gender-responsive, sustainable, and resilient tourism entrepreneurship, Dhakal said tourism has long been a key pillar of Nepal’s economy by generating employment, earning foreign currency, and supporting local livelihoods. He noted that women’s entrepreneurship is being promoted through homestays and community-based tourism initiatives.
“Tourism is one of the main foundations of Nepal’s economy. Both domestic and international tourism contribute significantly to economic development. In recent times, domestic tourism has been growing, helping create jobs and energize local economies,” Dhakal said.
He highlighted that women’s participation in the tourism sector is increasing, contributing to their economic self-reliance. Dhakal added that FNCCI has implemented several policy reforms to promote women’s entrepreneurship and leadership, including amending its statutes to increase women’s participation within the federation.
Stating that Nepal has immense potential, Dhakal urged a change in the narrative that “nothing has happened in Nepal.” He also informed that FNCCI has initiated the establishment of Nepal Development Company Limited with an investment of NPR 10 billion to mobilize domestic capital for infrastructure development and entrepreneurial activities.
According to him, the company aims to integrate domestic savings and ensure the availability of capital required for entrepreneurship.
The event was organized by the Academy of Innovation for Economic Development Nepal, in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and the United Nations Development Programme, under a sustainable tourism project focused on promoting gender-responsive and sustainable tourism in Nepal.
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