Women Leadership Summit Biratnagar: Driving Nepal’s $100B Economy Goal

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has finalized all preparations for the national-level Women Leadership Summit 2026, scheduled to take place in Biratnagar, Koshi Province, on May 4 (Baisakh 21).

Women Leadership Summit Biratnagar

During a press conference held on Thursday, CNI confirmed that all logistical and thematic arrangements are in place for the high-profile event.

Driving Nepal Toward a $100 Billion Economy

CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey emphasized that women’s participation is a non-negotiable requirement for Nepal’s economic acceleration. He noted that expanding the current $45 billion economy to $100 billion necessitates significant improvements in labor force participation, human capital, and total factor productivity.

“To achieve an average economic growth rate of 6%, we must expand the scope of our workforce. Active participation of women, alongside workers returning from foreign employment, is vital,” Pandey stated. “Sustainable economic development is impossible without promoting women’s labor participation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.”

Collaborative Efforts and Key Themes

The summit is being organized in collaboration with the Koshi Province Government, the Ministry of Social Development, and Biratnagar Metropolitan City. The event will be officially inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Hikmat Kumar Karki.

Under the central theme “Agriculture, Skill, Creativity, and Digital Innovation towards Sustainable Prosperity,” the summit will focus on:

• Leadership development and capacity building for women.

• Promotion of entrepreneurship using local resources.

• The role of digital technology in expanding business reach and market access.

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Highlights and Expectations

The summit promises a diverse range of activities, including:

Inspirational Success Stories: Featuring prominent female entrepreneurs from across Nepal.

Digital Transformation: Interactive sessions on digital payment systems (such as Fonepay).

Exhibition: Showcasing indigenous Nepalese products.

Networking: Bridging the gap between entrepreneurs, policymakers, the private sector, and development partners.

Bidushi Rana, a Member of Parliament and member of the CNI Women Leadership Forum, explained that the forum alternates its summits annually between international events in Kathmandu and national-level events in various provinces.

Following this tradition, Biratnagar was selected as this year’s strategic hub to empower regional leadership and exchange experiences among Nepalese stakeholders.

For more: Women Leadership Summit Biratnagar