FNCSI’s exhibition of MCSIs concludes

Federation of Nepal Small and Cottage Industries (FNSCI) has successfully organised16th International Industrial Trade Fair & Cottage Industry Festival and 6th Organic Agriculture Fair 2079 from 14 to 18 February, 2023 at International Exhibition Centre, Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal amidst a grand programme.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Paudel participated the concluding of the event.

Thematic discussions and interaction programmes on constraints and obstruction of development micro, small and cottage industries also organised as part of the exhibition. So as on February 17, FNCSI, Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and Practical Action Nepal jointly organised an interaction programme aiming knowledge sharing on renewable energy technologies for micro, small and cottage industries in Nepal to replace traditional energy systems. As renewable energy for MSCIs can play a strong role in strengthening economies, and open up soft processes of coordination in integrating RETS into enterprise development as well which over the time can be keys to resolving issues of less carbon production and health risk due to smokes and health hazard. Adopting RETs is essential to increase qualitative production of such industries in a sustainable manner. This will have increased usage of locally available resources, mobilise raw materials and manpower thus reducing cost of production, increasing employment opportunities attracting and help retain youth in the country. It will be profitable to entrepreneurs by creating inter sectoral cooperation among different parties.

The interaction event was a platform considered that the exhibitors from different parts of the country could exchange knowledge on introducing renewable energy technologies to MSCIsfor which different institutions are putting efforts to access to RETs – in terms of technical, financial and managerial capacity building. That means, the exhibitors and participants from different parts of the country can share knowledge and information on accessing energy from renewable energy technologies available or to be available in future in the locations of MSCIs.   

AEPC, RECON and some other institutions have been putting efforts on sensitizing RE experts, entrepreneurs, professionals, academia, policy makers, financial institutions and concerned stakeholders on promotion of RETs for socio-economic sectors RE for Individual HHs/ Communities, Agriculture, Education, Health services, Micro – Small – Cottage industries, Industries, Transportation and many more. So as this activity is related to role of RETs in Environment, Climate Change, Gender, Social inclusion issues, economical activities and growth.

FNCSI, the national organisation of 35,000 micro – small – cottage industries including 15,000 women led enterprises need to be accessed to RETs to the industries spread in the nooks and corners of the country. They need to utilise RE for low cost operation of their industries using local resources and adopt advanced technologies that causes no harm, promote automation, environment friendly and efficient. FNCSI is playing vital role in national level policy formulation and implementation including its primary focus on protection and promotion of rights of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal. To bridge the gap of gender disparities and streamline the efforts of women entrepreneurship, FNCSI has provision of Women Entrepreneurs Committees (WECs) at Central, Province and District levels. Currently Central Women Entrepreneur Committee has a largest network of women entrepreneurs from 60 districts in Nepal. The stakeholders at supply side consider that RETs can contribute to strengthening economies, and open up soft processes of coordination in integrating renewables into enterprise development as well which over the time can be keys to resolving issues of less carbon production and health risk due to smokes and health hazard do. Adopting renewables is essential to increase qualitative production of such industries in a sustainable manner. This will have increased usage of locally available resources, mobilise raw materials and manpower thus reducing cost of production, increasing employment opportunities attracting and help retain youth in the country.

Immediate past president of FNCSI Shyam Giri, Acting executive director of AEPC Nawa Raj Dhakal, Chairperson of RECON Guna Raj Dhakal, Country director of Practical Action Nepal Pooja Sharma, Chief of sustainable banking department of NMB Bank Dinesh Dulal, Vice president of FNCSI Satya Narayan Pajapati highlighted various aspects on importance of RETs for MCSIs and how to get access to the systems including technical and financial procedures. The interaction session was facilitated by SumanBanset, thee team leader of Nepal Energy Programme operated by DFID.

Acting executive director of AEPC Nawa Raj Dhakal said that AEPC has been paying attention on providing RETs for MSCIs. The centre will conduct knowledge sharing events in various levels collaborating with FNCSI, RECON and other institutions. Similarly, RECON chairperson Dhakal said that the private sector engaged in sales, supply and installation services for promotion and development of RETs for MCSIs. He added that there are more than 500 qualified private companies for RET services. Ms Sharma said that Practical Action has been engaged in business development with renewable energy supports. The institute had conducted research and studies and also supported pilot projects. It will provide more such services to FNCSIs. Mr Dulal of NMB Bank said that appropriate RETs for MCSIs can be instrumental for reducing cost of production and also upgrade the quality and quantity as well, so as this can contribute to national economy.

Mr.Prjapati of FNCSI highlighted the need of RETs including comprehensive knowledge on it to the small entrepreneurs. The benefits and cost should be workable to them while financial institutions and government agencies need to be supportive to get access to RETs.

Mr. ShyamGiri said that the government sector should work with private sector so that small entrepreneurs will be able to contribute at desirable extent to the national economy. Policies should be formulated or amended to make industry friendly, he added. He also stressed on need of discussions of government agencies and private sectors. FNCSI will be coordinating the stakeholders and relevant agencies.