Nepal Communist Party Unveils Manifesto Ahead of Upcoming Elections, Prioritizing Entrepreneurship

Kathmandu. The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) today, Tuesday, unveiled its commitment paper for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21, 2082 BS.

The commitment paper released by the party places 'Entrepreneurship Development' at a high priority, announcing the provision of concessional loans up to NPR 10 million for Dalits, minorities, and persons with physical disabilities.

As clearly stated in the NCP's commitment, loans up to NPR 10 million will be provided for a period of 10 years for Dalits, minorities, and persons with physical disabilities wishing to engage in production and employment-generating enterprises. The interest rate for this loan is stated to be only 5 percent.

The party has also put forward several other significant plans for entrepreneurship development. Under 'Artisan Entrepreneurship,' special grants, training, technical support, and market access programs will be implemented to transform traditional skills of the Dalit community, such as blacksmithing, leather industry, construction, and handicrafts, into modern commercial ventures.

Similarly, to promote indigenous tribal entrepreneurship, the manifesto mentions that quality control, branding, and export promotion will be carried out to commercialize traditional skills and products of indigenous communities, such as handicrafts, painting, woodcraft, herbal processing, cultural tourism, and local liquor production.

To encourage women-led entrepreneurship, it is also mentioned that concessional loans, training, market support, and mentoring programs will be conducted for women in sectors like home-based industries, agro-processing, handicrafts, IT, and tourism. The establishment of a 'Women Enterprise Development Fund' for women entrepreneurs has also been announced.

The party has given special priority to startups and IT enterprises for the development of youth innovation and the digital economy. The manifesto mentions reviewing the startup program to provide free registration, fee exemptions for the first 5 years followed by progressive benefits, establishing special incubation centers, and promoting digital entrepreneurship through IT parks.