Banking Khabar / The Koshi provincial government is preparing to implement the ambitious Udaya Project, aimed at promoting startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Under the plan, around Rs 8 billion in loans will be mobilized through partner banks to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Supported by the Swiss government, the project includes agreements with Global IME Bank and Rastriya Banijya Bank. A Rs 600 million guarantee fund—jointly contributed by the provincial and Swiss governments—will back the loans, alongside an additional challenge fund to encourage innovative ventures.
Aspiring entrepreneurs will be able to access loans ranging from Rs 3 million to Rs 30 million. In some cases, loans may be issued without collateral or with partial guarantees if projects are deemed viable.
Officials say the program aims to expand access to finance and support new business ventures across the province. The government believes the initiative will contribute to economic growth and job creation.
However, concerns remain over implementation. Koshi Province is already burdened with over Rs 20 billion in liabilities from multi-year projects, exceeding its capital budget. Limited resources and slow progress in existing infrastructure projects have raised doubts about the feasibility of launching another large-scale program.
Data shows that many ongoing development projects have achieved less than 10 percent progress, with several stalled due to funding shortages. Critics warn that without secured funding, new initiatives like the Udaya Project may face similar challenges.
