KATHMANDU: The fourth edition of the 'Newbiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2024' is being held today (Friday) in Kathmandu. New Business Age has been organising this annual event since 2021 to encourage women entrepreneurs and recognize their contributions.

The event recognizes the contribution of women entrepreneurs from all seven provinces who have dedicated themselves to entrepreneurship and empowerment. An independent jury will select the best women entrepreneurs across various categories for awards.

Standard Chartered Bank (Nepal) Limited is the sponsor of this year's event. Awards will be presented in 12 categories, including the 'Lifetime Achievement Award in Women Entrepreneurship'. Other categories include 'Professional Woman of Excellence', 'Pioneering Social Entrepreneur of the Year', 'Women in Tech', and 'The Best Woman Entrepreneur'.

Similarly, one female entrepreneur from each of the seven provinces will be awarded in the 'Emerging Enterprising Woman of the Year' category. Winners will receive a prize of Rs 51,000 each.

The program will also feature a group discussion on 'Strengthening Women's Business Leadership', with speakers Mahesh Bhattarai (Division Chief and Joint Secretary of the Economic Management Division of the National Planning Commission), Swastika Shrestha (CEO of Teach for Nepal), and Padmakshi Rana (Executive Director of Impact Hub, Kathmandu). Samanata Thapa, co-founder and program head of Startup Discovery Asia, will facilitate the discussion.

In the run-up to the event, New Business Age conducted training sessions on financial literacy and women entrepreneurship in Butwal and Nepalgunj. The main theme of this year's event is "Strengthening Women's Business Leadership". The event will feature interactions between stakeholders focusing on this topic.

Other sponsors of the program include Salt Trading Corporation, Dove, Citizen Life Insurance, Himalaya Airlines, Kajaria, NLG Insurance Company, Omoda EV, Reliable Life Insurance, Mahalakshmi Bikas Bank, Muktinath Bikas Bank, and Krishi Bikas Bank. IME Life Insurance is the life insurance partner. New Business Age has been organizing various events, including this summit, to support and promote entrepreneurship.