KATHMANDU: Nepal has called on British investors to explore promising opportunities in the country’s rapidly developing technology sector.
Speaking at the high-level Nepal–UK Tech Forum held at the Nepali Embassy in London, government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and tech entrepreneurs from both countries expressed strong interest in strengthening digital cooperation.
Nepal’s Ambassador to the UK, Dr. Chandra Kumar Ghimire, highlighted Nepal’s democratic and inclusive credentials, along with recent policy and economic reforms. He noted that Nepal has become an energy-exporting nation and now boasts a vibrant IT market. He urged British companies to outsource IT services to Nepal and invest in the sector.
UK Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, said this is the right time to boost British investments and expand bilateral trade. He mentioned that groundwork is being laid for a double taxation avoidance agreement between the two countries to support investment in IT and renewable energy.
MP Alex Baker, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nepal, stressed the need for direct flights between Nepal and the UK to deepen economic ties.
Sushil Gyewali, CEO of the Investment Board Nepal, shared that Nepal allows 100% foreign direct investment in IT, offers seven years of tax exemption, and facilitates profit repatriation. He also announced plans to build IT parks in all seven provinces and establish a national-level IT Promotion Board.
Other speakers, including tech leaders and private sector representatives, emphasized Nepal’s competitive edge in low-cost, high-quality IT services. Anjani Phuyal, CEO of UK-based Genese Solutions, called Nepal a rare combination of affordability and quality.
Santosh Koirala, President of NAS-IT, noted that over 90,000 Nepali youth are employed in the IT sector, generating around $800 million annually, with 75% of exports currently going to the US. He expressed interest in expanding to the UK within the next few years.
Experts like Tim Gocher from Dolma Impact Fund also pointed to Nepal’s potential as a data center hub due to its cold climate, clean energy, and skilled digital workforce.
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