Kathmandu [Nepal], August 4 – Nepal needs sweeping reforms in insurance, lending and policy framework to revive micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that continue to struggle in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, former Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a policy discussion organised by the Society of Economic Journalists Nepal (SEJON), the Nepal Insurance AuthorityandtheUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP) during the launch of the study Risk Management in Nepal’s MSMEs, Khanal said stronger policy support is essential to protect businesses facing prolonged economic challenges.
He said inadequate access to finance and weak risk management have left the sector vulnerable despite its significant contribution to Nepal’s economy. Khanal also proposed reforms to agricultural insurance, including having the government initially bear the full insurance premium for poor farmers and recover their contribution only after compensation is paid.
According to the report, only about 10 percent of Nepal’s nearly 9,00,000 MSMEs have insurance coverage leaving the vast majority exposed to financial and disaster-related risks. Officials said many enterprises remain outside the formal economy, limiting access to insurance and financial protection.
UNDP Nepal and the Nepal Insurance Authority called for more inclusive and affordable insurance systems, warning that climate change, natural disasters, financial shocks and cyber risks continue to threaten the country’s MSME sector.
