An Information Technology and Startup Expo is set to take place in Pokhara, the capital of Gandaki Province, with the objective of promoting innovation-driven employment and reducing youth unemployment. The expo will showcase technology-based products, services, and business ideas developed by young entrepreneurs.
The event is being organized by the National Youth Council under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Government of Nepal, in collaboration with the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The expo will be held in the last week of Magh. A total of 15 innovation-based enterprises from Gandaki Province—working in products, services, or processes—will be selected to participate in the exhibition.
The exhibition will be competitive in nature. According to Gahanath Gautam, Administrative Chief of the National Youth Council, the first, second, and third prize winners will receive NPR 40,000, NPR 30,000, and NPR 20,000 respectively.
Interested participants must submit an online application. Applicants must be below 40 years of age, have been operating their business for no more than 10 years, be registered with a government office, and have an annual turnover not exceeding NPR 150 million.
The expo will begin in Pokhara and subsequently be organized across all seven provinces. Enterprises selected as the best at the provincial level will be invited to participate in a grand national-level competitive exhibition to be held in Kathmandu. As part of the preparation, the National Youth Council has already conducted an orientation program in Pokhara.
The orientation program saw participation from entrepreneurs and businesspersons from Kaski, Syangja, Baglung, Tanahun, and Parbat districts. Entrepreneurship development expert Engineer Ramesh Subedi stated that the expo aims to create employment through innovation and curb youth migration.
President of the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gokarna Karki, emphasized the private sector’s desire to prevent youth migration and generate employment within the country. He noted that such expos would encourage young entrepreneurs at a time when the private sector has been demoralized following attacks on businesspersons during the Gen Z movement in Bhadra.
Navaraj Adhikari, Chief of the Business Promotion Center of Pokhara Metropolitan City, highlighted the city’s initiatives for entrepreneurship development and said that the Youth Council’s program would foster innovative thinking. Similarly, Undersecretary of the National Youth Council, Tarapati Kharel, said the expo aims to engage the private sector, particularly youth, in creative and innovative businesses.
