KATHMANDU: Minister for Information and Communication Dr Bikram Timilsina has highlighted the government’s efforts to create a supportive environment for youth entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing that young people’s knowledge, skills, creativity and technological capabilities are key to Nepal’s economic prosperity.
Addressing the fifth edition of the Nepal Youth Entrepreneurship Conference 2026 in Kathmandu on Friday, Minister Timilsina called for greater investment in research and innovation. He said the government must establish an enabling environment, while the private sector should play an active role in promoting entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
The minister noted that interest in entrepreneurship among young people is growing worldwide, including in Nepal, where youth potential is increasingly being harnessed in production, services and technology.
He emphasised the need for collaboration among the government, private sector, educational institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and encourage innovation.
Highlighting the emergence of skilled talent in information technology (IT), Timilsina described the sector as a major opportunity for Nepal’s economic transformation. He called for a shift from exporting labour to promoting Nepali technology-based services in international markets.
He also stressed that technology should complement human creativity rather than replace human roles. Although technological advances can transform working methods, he said, they should be used to enhance human capabilities and productivity.
The minister further noted that the government’s responsibility extends beyond formulating policies to ensuring their effective implementation so that citizens, entrepreneurs and the wider economy can benefit.
Speaking about changes in education and skills development, he said greater emphasis should be placed on practical skills and competencies aligned with future labour market demands rather than formal academic qualifications alone. He stressed the importance of equipping young people with the skills needed to pursue entrepreneurship and respond to changing economic opportunities.
Similarly, National Planning Commission member Sudan Jha acknowledged that Nepal’s position in artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually improving, although the country still lags behind internationally.
Jha noted growing participation by Nepali youth in AI and entrepreneurship, alongside increased investment in the IT sector. He said the government was committed to effectively implementing AI-related policies to improve public service delivery, increase economic productivity, strengthen data security and generate diverse employment opportunities.
The conference was organised by the Nepal Business Institute (NBI) in collaboration with the Confederation of Banks and Financial Institutions Nepal (CBFIN), focusing on AI, youth entrepreneurship and employment.
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