Women Entrepreneurs Receive Financial Literacy, AI Training in Biratnagar

A two-day training programme designed to equip women entrepreneurs with financial management and artificial intelligence (AI) skills began in Biratnagar, Morang, on Saturday, July 11.

Organised by Siddhartha Bank and managed by New Business Age, the “Financial Literacy and Women Entrepreneurship Training–2026” is being held at Hotel Eastern Star in coordination with the Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs' Associations of Nepal (FWEAN)-Morang, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Koshi Province, and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Koshi Province.

Inaugurating the programme, Siddhartha Bank's Koshi Province Head, Kamal Basnet, said financial literacy and entrepreneurship are essential for sustainable business growth.

He said women entrepreneurs play a vital role in creating jobs, promoting local production, strengthening household incomes and contributing to the national economy. However, many continue to face challenges in financial management, accounting, business expansion, risk management, market access and the effective use of financial services.

Basnet added the training would provide participants with practical knowledge of financial management and business operations through sessions led by industry experts.

Addressing the inaugural session, FNCCI Koshi Province Vice-President Rajan Shrestha said financial literacy and AI have become indispensable tools for entrepreneurs as businesses adapt to rapid technological change.

“AI should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a threat,” Shrestha said, adding that the technology can help businesses analyse customer needs, reduce costs, automate administrative tasks and expand production and market reach.

Shrestha also called for expanding digital literacy programmes nationwide, saying the integration of financial literacy and technology would enable Nepali entrepreneurs to compete more effectively in global markets. He stressed the need for collaboration between the government and the private sector to help entrepreneurs, including those in rural areas, harness AI to access international markets.

Kriti Upadhyaya Shrestha, president of FWEAN Koshi Province and chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurship Development Committee of FNCCI Koshi Province, said the training is expected to strengthen participants' confidence, leadership and entrepreneurial skills while encouraging greater adoption of technology in business.

The programme features sessions on financial literacy led by Dipesh Pradhan and AI applications conducted by Arun Phuyal.

According to Sabita Subedi, Director (Finance and Administration) at New Business Age, women entrepreneurs from various sectors are participating in the programme, which focuses on financial management, digital banking, business development, technology adoption and the use of AI to improve productivity and competitiveness.