Need of collaboration between stakeholders to revitalize businesses: Women Chamber VP Sharma

Kathmandu: Ambika Sharma, vice president of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, has stressed on the need of collaboration between stakeholders to revitalize the businesses and industries that have been reeling under the effect of Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at a webinar on Sunday, Sharma said that the entrepreneurs must focus on full-fledged operation of industries by adopting safety measures.

She said that Covid-19 has affected every sector.

“According to a study conducted by the government, business owners and entrepreneurs will face more challenges in the upcoming days. The number of Covid-19 cases is increasing,” she said, adding, “Everything is uncertain. It is not the time to panic. However, we need to take care of our mental health, keep the spirit high to return to normalcy.”

Presenting a strategy against Covid-19, Sharma said that now the business owners need to take care of the business fraternity while taking care of themselves. Sharma opined that although the relief packages announced by the government has brought some hope to the entrepreneurs, the implementation part seems to be quite challenging.

“Re-scheduling loan and rebate in interest has to be implemented in the tourism sector. This will give some relief to the tourism entrepreneurs,” she said, adding, “The Covid-19 pandemic has demotivated every large, medium and small business. We need to be transparent about our situation to help each other.”

Summary of Sharma’s strategy

We need to understand how much collaboration we need and at which level we can cooperate.

With whom can we collaborate? Employees, customers, business owners or the community? Be it on terms of providing salary to the staff or fixing price of farmers’ products, now onwards, it is important to work with new and innovative approach. The entrepreneurs need to collaborate with the stakeholders to resolve the problem of marketing and creating safe workplace environment for workers.

It is important to take decision amid uncertainty of the pandemic.

Earlier too, we have faced many kinds of national crisis. From regular protests, earthquake to economic blockade, we have overcome every such crisis. Though the government has been providing assurances to the entrepreneurs, it has not implemented any of the decisions. So, it is important for us to fully operate the businesses by following all the safety guidelines.

Also, the government must implement its decisions and provide rebate and subsidy to the entrepreneurs. Tourism business need special relief packages. The government must extend deadlines to those who are not able to pay loan. I am presenting some of the strategies which might look simple but they are really effective.

We need to understand the problem

It is very important to understand the problem. Everyone has problem right now. So, whose problem do we need to understand? We need to consider everyone’s problem including that of business owners, workers, doctors, nurses, teachers, labourers and others. After identifying the problem, we need to understand about the intensity of the challenges they are facing and come to the solution accordingly. The government must take legal action against the businessmen who are selling their products and services at high price. The professionals who are fighting on the frontline against the Covid-19 must be provided with insurance and salary increment. Transportation of imported products and other merchandises must go smoothly to ensure regular supply of goods.

2. Move forward consciously making certain plan ahead

The government’s role is very important at this situation and only it has the power to take the right decision. So, it is critical for the government to consult with intellectuals, entrepreneurs and public before taking any decision. We have already overcome the crisis including earthquake and economic blockade. So, this will pass too. We are ready to help the government, but the government also needs to help us. We need to work together to overcome this crisis.

Using Internet as a solution

The use of internet has been rising after Covid-19 surfaced. Entrepreneurs have been gradually shifting to online classes, e-commerce, online meeting and others. We need to become technically sound. This is the demand of time.

It is easy to say, but it is hard to implement these strategies. We are entrepreneurs and we have been fighting against Covid-19. The world is fighting. So, only worrying won’t solve the problem. We have to struggle together. Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

 

Thank you

September 27, 2020