Phakhel, Makwanpur: With the technical support of the Asian Credit Union Confederation (ACCU) the Nepal Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Unions Limited (NEFSCUN) had initiated a model practice of establishing a Business Development Service (BDS) Center last year. To continue this initiative, the program has been extended through a cost-sharing written partnership with Sakriya Mahila Savings and Credit Cooperative Ltd, Makawanpur.

Under this agreement, a written cost-based partnership was signed between Mr. Navin Raj Dahal, Senior Officer for the Program and Development Division of the NEFSCUN and Ms. Shramik Lama, Chairperson of the Cooperative. The terms of the agreement specify that within five years, the investment will be fully focused on productive outcomes. The expected results include:
1.    Policy facilitation for the establishment of a Business Development Service Desk,
2.    Technical support in formulating a five-year strategic business plan for the establishment and operation of the BDS Desk,
3.    Continuous mentoring and coaching for the BDS responsible person managing and operating the BDS Desk,
4.    Preparation of potential entrepreneurs through technical facilitation and mapping of cooperative members,
5.    Providing training and orientation to potential entrepreneurs to build their entrepreneurial capacity,
6.    Coordinating and facilitating market linkages for the marketing of products and services produced by entrepreneurs,
7.    Creating an enabling environment for cooperation with relevant institutions to ensure quality products and services.
The program aims to establish Business Development Service (BDS) Desks within cooperatives based on five key elements — self motivation, self-place, technology, capital, and market - and provide continuous business counselling, financial access, and technical support for market networking. This is expected to significantly strengthen the capacity of cooperative members to become sustainable and successful entrepreneurs.

Through this Business Development Service Program, financial cooperatives will play a technical and coordinating role throughout the entire process — from “production to consumer” or “service to customer.” One of the major challenges faced by financial cooperatives in Nepal has been overdue loan repayments. This program specifically aims to make members’ investments more productive, business-oriented, and result-driven, thereby ensuring timely loan repayment.

The overall objective of the Business Development Service Program is to establish business service desks within financial cooperatives and transform cooperative members into result-oriented entrepreneurs.

According to Ms. Sarmila Blon, Ms. Simran Gurung, Ms. Man Kumari Tamang, Ms. Sanu Kanchhi Syangtang from Board and Ms. Sabina Lama, Mr. Somsing Bal Tamang and Mr. Puskar Gole Sagar from the Managment of Sakriya Mahila Saving and Credit Cooperative Society Limited, the cooperative has already appointed one staff member to operate the BDS Desk and completed its establishment. Representatives from SACCOS were present during the training and agreement signing event.