On second day of Professor Yunus visit the Himalayan country, he gave the key note speech at the opening of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries on 22 December.

The Chief Guest at the event was Prime Minister of Nepal Dr Baburam Bhattarai, which was attended by Former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, current and former ministers and all of the top business people of Nepal.

He urged the business people of Nepal consider investing in social business. “Money is a means, it cannot be an end. What you do with money to help other people is what is an end. We are only on the planet for a short time.  Helping others is the only way to put your signature on the planet”. The session was also addressed by Prime Minister Bhattarai and President of CNI Binod Chaudhary.Later in the day, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai received Professor Yunus at his official residence together with his wife Hisila Yami where they discussed the potential for social business for Nepal. Both PM and his wife Hisila Yami had an exclusive discussion with Professor Yunus and his delegation to get a deeper understanding of the process of launching social business in Nepal. In particular Ms Hisila Yami, who has been a revolutionary leader of the Maoists in her own right, was interested in coming to Bangladesh to learn how Grameen Bank and social businesses created by Professor Yunus had impacted the lives of the poor.  She was particularly interested in seeing housing program for the poor implemented by Grameen, as well as the program focused on beggars, that has been the focus of her own study and work. She is an architect by profession.

Afterwards, there was a reception by Prime Minister Bhattarai in honor of Professor Yunus and his delegation at his official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.

Earlier in the day Professor Yunus addressed a gathering of students and young entrepreneurs organized by Tribhuvan University and CNI on Social Business and Youth, urging them to create a world of their dreams and using all the resources that they have, especially technology, to chart a brand new future for the world.

Professor Yunus was also invited by SAARC Secretary General Ahmed Saleem to address as chief guest a special seminar on poverty alleviation in South Asia at the SAARC Secretariat attended by academics, policy makers, business people and other dignitaries. The event was also addressed by the Governor of the Central Bank, the Foreign Secretary of Nepal, business leader Binod Chaudhary and the Secretary General of SAARC Ahmed Saleem.