The Inclusive Development of the Economy (INCLUDE) Programme, a cooperation project of the Government of Nepal and the Federal Republic of Germany, is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Industry (MOI) and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). This programme is intended to create jobs and income opportunities in selected regions of Nepal and thereby help steer the country towards a more peaceful and prosperous future.

Context

After ten years of political instability and conflict, the political and economic conditions prevailing in many areas of Nepal are hardly conducive, regionally or locally, to promoting new entrepreneurial activity and creating employment and income. The unemployment rate is high and the productivity of companies is low. The average per capita income is only US$ 470 a year and one third of the population lives below the poverty line.

Agriculture remains Nepal’s principal economic activity employing almost 80% of all wage-earners and accounting for 40% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Till today, especially the socially disadvantaged people from the lower castes, women and members of ethnic minorities are the ones who have little access to economic, entrepreneurial and political decision-making processes.