The one-hour webinar was moderated by Mr. Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, Managing Director of the Panchakanya Group, and currently CACCI Vice President. CACCI President Mr. Peter mcMullin AM delivered the Welcome Remarks.

Starting with a description of the FNCCI, its services, and its role in the Nepalese economy, Mr. Paudel then proceeded to introduce Nepal’s key economic statistics so that the audience could understand the current macroeconomic conditions of Nepal.

According to Mr. Paudel, Nepalese economic growth is emerging from the sudden economic slowdown of 2020 due to the pandemic, a drastic experience that negatively impacted most countries of the region as well.

He pointed out that nowadays, Nepal projects a high rate of growth for the next couple of years led by hydropower, tourism, industrial manufacturing, agriculture, mining, services, and information technology and communication.

Mr. Paudel also explained how the country’s FDI legal framework has evolved since its inception in 1950 to today’s, when the government has created active contact windows, even in collaboration with FNCCI to facilitate foreign investment in Nepal.

He noted that Nepal’s major imports currently are refined oil, semi-finished iron, and mineral fuels among many other products. On the other side, Nepal’s major exports are animals and vegetable fats, oils and waxes, textiles, coffee, tea and spices, etc..

Mr. Paudel indicated that the business outlook for Nepal is good based on the increasing flow of FDI during the decade prior to the pandemic. While the pandemic adversely impacted FDI flows, the figures are expected to return to high levels.

Furthermore, Mr. Paudel argued that the key selling points making Nepal a profitable investment are Nepal’s strategic location, 100% ownership in almost all sectors, including companies’ ownership of land, and 100% repatriation of investment which also allows for the repatriation of 75% of the employee’s salary.

In conclusion, Mr. Paudel recommended that foreign investors take advantage of FDI Help Desk which has been set up to facilitate investments in Nepal.

Mr. Paudel’s comprehensive and highly informative presentation was followed by a lively Q&A discussion with the audience.