Kathmandu, Nepal: Kumari Bank Limited (KBL), reaffirming its commitment to sustainability across its products, people and strategic partnerships, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN). 

The partnership aims to promote women’s economic empowerment, sustainable finance, enterprise growth and business resilience across the operational areas of KBL and FWEAN.The MoU was signed by Mr. Chandan Karki, Chief Investment and Marketing Officer of Kumari Bank Limited and Ms. Darshana Shrestha, President of FWEAN, marking a significant step toward strengthening the ecosystem for women-led businesses. 

The partnership will focus on enhancing women entrepreneurs’ access to responsible finance, enterprise development, sustainable and climate-resilient investment, digital solutions, market opportunities and value-chain linkages.

The collaboration will also explore innovative financing approaches, including cash-flow-based assessment, movable-asset financing, guarantees and other risk-sharing mechanisms, with the aim of addressing financing challenges and supporting the growth and resilience of women-led enterprises.

Remarking on the partnership, Mr. Arpan Paudel, Head of Sustainable Banking Department, Kumari Bank Limited, said: “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing inclusive & sustainable finance and expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs to access finance, markets, knowledge. 

By combining FWEAN’s strong network with Kumari Bank’s sustainable banking capabilities, we aim to strengthen women-led businesses, promote greater gender equality in economic opportunities & contribute to a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy”

The collaboration will also establish mechanisms for joint learning, impact measurement, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on enterprise growth, access to finance, resilience, employment and sustainable business practices. The partnership reflects the shared commitment of Kumari Bank and FWEAN to creating practical, scalable and sustainable opportunities for women entrepreneurs and women-led enterprises across Nepal.

With its extensive nationwide presence, Kumari Bank will leverage its established banking network to facilitate and scale these initiatives across targeted communities. The bank’s infrastructure comprises 279 branches, 294 ATMs, 41 extension counters, 40 branchless banking units and more than 1,200 POS terminals, supported by digital banking platforms, mobile banking services, and international Visa card solutions.

Through its focus on customer-centric innovation, responsible banking and sustainable finance, Kumari Bank continues to strengthen its role in supporting Nepal’s long-term economic transformation. 

In collaboration with FWEAN, the bank aims to contribute to the development of financially viable green enterprises, circularity based stronger value chains, increased employment opportunities and a more climate-resilient and sustainable economic future for Nepal.