K-Connect Initiative Launched to Elevate Nepal’s Startup and Business Landscape
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has officially launched the “K-Connect: Promoting the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Nepal” initiative in Kathmandu to bridge critical gaps for local startups and growing enterprises. Bringing together government officials, financial institutions, investors, mentors, and project beneficiaries, the program aims to provide a unified platform that enhances access to essential knowledge, professional networks, and financing. This strategic undertaking builds upon the tangible achievements of several major KOICA-backed programs across the country. For instance, the Korea Returnee Migrants Reintegration (K-HaMi) Project has trained thousands of workers and dedicated USD 2.5 million in interest subsidies to facilitate business loans for returnees. Concurrently, the Climate Smart Agriculture Project has successfully established over a hundred climate-smart agribusinesses and generated green jobs in the Terai region, while recycling and upcycling initiatives have flourished in Pokhara. By synergizing these efforts, KOICA’s latest initiative directly fosters long-term innovation, shared learning, and sustainable job creation within Nepal’s expanding private sector.
