Posted on January 29, 2017
I will be speaking with the Nepal Investment Summit 2017 in Kathmandu on February 11, 2017.
A conference for Nepali business and global investment community to discuss why international companies don’t like to do business in Nepal is being organized in Kathmandu on February 11, 2017.
At the conference aimed mainly at the private sector, a discussion on Nepal’s major problems for economic development is expected. In general, global companies and investment communities don’t want to invest or do business in Nepal. Several Nepali and foreign business leaders who know the difficulties of Nepal are scheduled to speak at the conference. New generation entrepreneurs and experienced business leaders who have hard times persuading international companies to operate in Nepal or investment communities to invest in Nepal companies have been invited to share their stories.
The conference aims to connect like-minded business leaders who are struggling to grow their companies because foreign companies don’t want to invest in their Nepal company and find solutions to make Nepal more attractive for foreign investments.
A keynote speech is expected to be delivered by Ash Shrivastav, a United States based investment banker and entrepreneur who is launching a Nepal focused investment fund to make investments in companies based in Nepal. Other prominent speakers include David Dhillon, a political consultant and former Mayor of El Centro City in California, United States, Myagsaysay Award Winner Mahabir Pun, Tim Gocher, the founder of Dolma Fund, Amrit Tuladhar, CEO of Muncha, Ram Krishna Pokhrel,Executive Director of Citizens Investment Trust of Nepal.
Several private equity, venture capital, asset management and international companies are expected to attend the conference. Guests would mostly comprise of global Nepali and international business leaders who do business in Nepal. The conference will provide an opportunity to connect with other experienced business leaders who have been operating business in Nepal and have extensive knowledge of Nepal market, opportunities and the challenges with the guest companies. Many Embassies in Kathmandu also plan to present their views on Nepal business, especially from the macro-economic side.
A similar conference was also organized in New Delhi along with Uma Ventures based in Silicon Valley, USA where leading Indian investment and business community gathered to learn about investment and business opportunities in Nepal. The conference was held on January 21 at the Nepal Embassy premises Barakhamba Road, New Delhi. “Nepal is strategically located between India and Nepal. Nepal shares an open border with India. There are many treaties that Nepal and India have jointly signed to facilitate cross-border business.”, according to the embassy statement. There are thousands of international businesses operating out of Nepal. India represents the largest portion of foreign investment in Nepal.
Recently appointed Ambassador to India His Excellency Mr. Deep Kumar Upadhyaya said that at this conference, the attendees were able to explore the potential Nepal business opportunities, get familiar with the treaties and meet people who are either doing business in Nepal or considering entering in Nepal market. Mr. Upadhyay has previously served as Nepal’s ambassador to India.
Ash Shrivastav of Uma Ventures said that there are many investment funds investing in the emerging markets but it’s extremely rare that a Fund has considered Nepal. Although Nepal is located between world’s two largest economies, Nepal has been overlooked.