Nabil Bank inks MoU with Nepal Agricultural Market Development Programme Phase II; to collaborate for Strengthening capacity of Nabil Bank to finance Agri-SMEs in Province one

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 One, they have signed a project agreement and have aligned project activities accordingly.

Mr. Anil Keshary Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Nabil Bank, and Mr. Sanjay Karki, Country Director, Swisscontact Nepal signed the agreement during a special ceremony. Speaking about the project, Chief Executive Officer of Nabil Bank said, "Nabil Bank has always given priority to financial inclusion and believes that lending to the agriculture sector shall help the sustainable growth of the Nepalese 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, the Country Director of Swisscontact Nepal 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."