Nepal calls for Indian investment

Kathmandu, Apr. 2

Both the government and private sector have urged Indian investors to invest in Nepal.

Speaking at a programme organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) on Saturday in New Delhi, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that he was ever ready to facilitate investment climate in Nepal.

He expressed readiness to provide policy facilitation wherever required, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) said in a statement on Saturday.

President of FNCCI, Shekhar Golchha said that Nepal has high potential in hydroelectricity, tourism, manufacturing and information technology. "Private sector will support in every step in facilitating Foreign Direct Investment in Nepal. In recent years, Indian FDI in Nepal is decreasing, we want to see it improved again," he said while adding that the FNCCI had established a foreign investment unit at its secretariat.

Stating that Nepal has immense potential in tourism sector, he urged Indian investors to visit Nepal, then invest and generate income.

Most of the multinational companies in Nepal have performed well, he said.

According to Golchha, Nepal wants to increase its export to India which is the largest trade partner while Nepal is the ninth largest export destination for India.

He said that both the countries should establish quality labs and accredit them.

President of CII, TV Narendran said that Nepal is an attractive destination for Indian investors and his organisation would facilitate investment in Nepal.

"India can help Nepal in improving quality of its agricultural produces. Energy is another sector where cooperation can be enhanced," he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board, Sushil Bhatta had updated about the initiatives launched in Nepal to attract FDI. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 3 April 2022.