CIM, Purbanchal University to establish business incubation in Biratnagar

KATHMANDU: Chamber of Industries Morang (CIM) and Purbanchal University have signed an agreement to establish a business incubation centre and startup programme. The agreement was signed by Surendra Golchha, Coordinator of the Startup and Innovation Programme on behalf of CIM, and Dr Sandesh Das Shrestha, Dean of the Faculty of Management at Purbanchal University.

Recognising the need to transform youth into entrepreneurs and develop an ecosystem, the federal government has acknowledged CIM's Startup and Innovation Programme, which has been running for the past three years. Budget for current fiscal year includes allocations to establish incubation centres and startup programmes in seven provinces.

At the signing ceremony, Golchha expressed pride in the private sector's collaboration to operate an incubation centre in Koshi Province.

CIM Vice President (Energy Sector) Nand Kishor Rathi stated that the startup programme will be effectively implemented by the incubation centre in Biratnagar, in collaboration with the private sector, academic sector, and local government, with federal government support.

Purbanchal University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Biju Kumar Thapalia expressed confidence that the incubation centre would play a vital role in attracting youth to entrepreneurship. He highlighted that the services provided by the centre will be refined to meet evolving needs.

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) Joint Secretary Chhabindra Parajuli mentioned that the CIM-led Startup and Innovation Programme will be further organised and expanded.

Dean Shrestha announced that under the programme, 90 students will be selected in the first phase, representing 30 ideas from 10 affiliated colleges, with three students per idea. In the second phase, 30 students will be chosen, and the promotion centre will provide startup ecosystem services for seven months.

The signing ceremony was attended by CIM Vice President Bipin Rathi, Purbanchal University's Deputy Dean Sonila Shakya, and heads of various campuses.