Nabil Bank, Sahaj sign agreement to strengthen Agri-SMEs in Province 1

KATHMANDU: Nabil Bank and Nepal Agricultural Market Development Programme (NAMDP) Phase II, also known as Sahaj, have signed an agreement for the project titled, “Strengthening Capacity of Nabil Bank Ltd (NABIL) to finance Agri-SMEs in Province 1". Anil Keshary Shah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nabil Bank and Sanjay Karki, Country Director, Swisscontact Nepal signed the agreement during a special ceremony. Nabil Bank is a leading commercial bank in Nepal providing banking services to customers. Sahaj is a Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) project, implemented by a consortium of Swisscontact (as the lead agency) and the Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED). In view of strengthening the agriculture segment and ultimately extending financial inclusion and promoting agro-entrepreneurship in Province 1, they have signed a project agreement and have aligned project activities accordingly. Speaking about the project, Nabil Bank CEO Shah said, "Nabil Bank has always given priority to financial inclusion and believes that lending to the agriculture sector shall help the sustainable growth of Nepal's economy. We believe this project shall bring around substantive changes to the way we do business with Agri-SMEs by improving our internal process and aligning our internal resources with the realities of the Agri-SMEs in Province One. Nabil Bank feels proud to have partnered with Sahaj in our joint vision of developing a thriving and inclusive agriculture sector.” Likewise, Karki said, "Swisscontact Nepal believes in partnering with institutions from the private sector and relevant stakeholders to create and shape sustainable opportunities that improve the lives of the people and communities. Recognizing the priority placed by Nabil Bank to develop a thriving and inclusive agriculture sector, Sahaj—the flagship project of Swisscontact Nepal—has partnered with the bank to provide financial and technical support, allowing them to improve their existing capacities and deliver innovative services and products to agri-businesses in Province One." Nabil Bank is operating with a wide network with 135 branches, 188 ATMs, 7 extension counters and more than 1,500 Nabil Remit Agents spread across the country. With banking experience of more than 37 years, having highly trained team and robust/secured banking system, the bank is intended for superior service delivery for enhancing value to the customers. NAMDP Phase II, also known as “Sahaj”, operates under a bilateral agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Switzerland. Sahaj is an SDC project, implemented by a consortium of Swisscontact (as the lead agency) and the CEAPRED. Sahaj provides financial and technical support towards improved access to services and innovation for agri-businesses in Province 1. This will increase demand for smallholders’ produce, including them in value-added supply chains, and build resilience in rural communities through higher employment and income. READ ALSO:

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