July 7: The Standard Chartered NewBiz Business Women Summit & Awards 2023 concluded on Friday in Kathmandu. The programme organized by New Business Age (P) Ltd with the Standard Chartered Bank Nepal as the title sponsor, honoured 13 women entrepreneurs under seven categories.

Yankila Sherpa of Snow Leopard Trek was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to Nepal’s economy. Likewise, Dr Anand Shova Tamrakar, vermicompost expert, received the title of Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Alisha Shrestha of Amnil Technologies bagged Woman in Tech of the Year Award, and Sewa Pathak of Vianet was honoured with the Professional Woman of the Year Award. Similarly, the Business Woman of the Year Award went to Padmasana Shakya of Manushi Laghubitta and Dr Prativa Pandey of CIWEC Hospital received the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Meanwhile, seven woman entrepreneurs including one from each of the seven provinces also were honoured as the Enterprising Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. Prema Rajya Laxmi Singh, chairperson of National Life Insurance Company, personally contributed cash prize to the award recipients in this category

Dina Pradhan of Baari Roastery & Packaging Industry from Koshi Province, Chanchala Das of Women Skill Centre from Madhesh Province, Anushka Shrestha of Lasakusa Food Products from Bagamati Province, Sukun Rasaili BK of Marpha Falful Tatha Tarkari Prashodhan Udyog from Gandaki Province, Bindu Charti Magar of Charti Flora from Lumbini Province, Shila Bishwakarma Nepali of JF Ratna Patthar Prashodhan Kendra from Karnali Province and Sangita Khadka of PS Travel Point Tours from Sudur paschim Province received the awards and cash prizes.

The programme saw panel discussion in the first part and awards distribution in the second part.

The panel discussion on the theme “Women Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age” was moderated by Michael Siddhi, Country Head of Transaction Banking of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal. The panel consisted of Radhika Aryal (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies), Seema Golchha (Director, Golchha Group) and Rumee Singh (Co-founder, Rumsan Nepal).

The award winner were selected by an independent jury after several rounds of evaluation of the details collected from over 2,000 women entrepreneurs and professionals from across the seven provinces of the country.

The jury comprised of Radhesh Pant (chair) with Barsha Shrestha, Anju Sharma, Ava Shah and Basanti Pradhan as members.

Minister for Finance Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat was the chief guest of the awards distribution programme. Likewise, Nepal Rastra Bank’s Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari honured the event with his gracious presence.

Apart from Standard Chartered Bank Nepal, the programme was also supported by IME Life Insurance, SALICO (Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company), Salt Trading Corporation, Machhapuchchre Bank, Sun Life Insurance, Reliable Life Insurance, Sitaram Milks, Shangrila Development Bank, Honda Grazia, Agricultural Development Bank, Byanjan, New V.Rohto and World Link.