Kathmandu: Kumari Bank Limited (KBL) and the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment, sustainable finance and the growth of women-led enterprises in Nepal.
The agreement was signed by Chandan Karki, Chief Investment and Marketing Officer of Kumari Bank, and Darshana Shrestha, President of FWEAN.
The partnership seeks to strengthen the ecosystem for women-led businesses by improving access to responsible finance, enterprise development, sustainable and climate-resilient investment, digital solutions, market opportunities and value-chain linkages.
The two organisations will also explore innovative financing approaches, including cash-flow-based assessments, movable-asset financing, guarantees and other risk-sharing mechanisms. These measures are intended to address financing challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and support the growth and resilience of their businesses.
Commenting on the partnership, Arpan Paudel, Head of the Sustainable Banking Department at Kumari Bank, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to inclusive and sustainable finance.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable finance and expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs to access finance, markets and knowledge. By combining FWEAN’s strong network with Kumari Bank’s sustainable banking capabilities, we aim to strengthen women-led businesses, promote greater gender equality in economic opportunities and contribute to a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy,” Paudel said.
The partnership will also establish mechanisms for joint learning, impact measurement and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on enterprise growth, access to finance, business resilience, employment and sustainable business practices.
Kumari Bank said its nationwide network would be used to facilitate and expand the initiatives across targeted communities. The bank currently operates 279 branches, 294 ATMs, 41 extension counters, 40 branchless banking units and more than 1,200 POS terminals, along with digital banking and mobile banking services.
Through the collaboration, Kumari Bank and FWEAN aim to support financially viable green enterprises, strengthen circular and sustainable value chains, create employment opportunities and promote climate-resilient businesses.
The partnership is expected to contribute to the development of practical and scalable opportunities for women entrepreneurs and women-led enterprises across Nepal while supporting the broader goal of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
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