Government to Make Startups and Innovation a Strong Base for Economic Transformation

Kathmandu — The government will make startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship a strong foundation for economic transformation, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle announced through the budget.

Wagle said the startup operating system will be strengthened by aligning startups with identification, skills, markets, and financial access — through profit-linked tax concessions, priority access in public procurement, digital registration, and regulatory facilitation.

The Finance Minister said startup financing will not be limited to a debt-based model alone. Instead, arrangements will be made for grants at the early stage, subsidised loans for ventures whose feasibility has been proven, and growth capital at the expansion stage, while also encouraging co-investment from the private sector and Non-Resident Nepalis.

Wagle said he has allocated a minimum of one percent of capital expenditure for science, technology research, and innovation.