Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday called on foreign investors to invest in Nepal.

Addressing the third Nepal Investment Summit 2024 in Kathmandu, the prime minister said Nepal stands at the centre of opportunities, welcoming investors with its untapped potential.

“Our unwavering commitment to liberal economic policies lays the foundation for a vibrant and investor-friendly business environment. We are strongly committed to carrying out continuous reforms to facilitate the investors, industrialists, innovators and easing of doing businesses,” said Dahal.

“In this context, the government has recently amended eight different laws governing business and investment regimes. I believe this boosts the investors’ confidence to invest in Nepal.”

The prime minister said Nepal provides several incentives to foreign investors, including a robust regulatory framework, provision for the avoidance of double taxation, protection of intellectual property rights, and competitive corporate taxation, among others.

“Our liberalised policies encourage foreign investment in prioritised sectors. Our skilled workforce and low labour costs present an attractive proposition for international investors. Provisions of national and non-discriminatory treatment to all FDIs and guaranteed repatriation in foreign currency further enhance the attractiveness of investing in Nepal,” he said.

Prime Minister Dahal said Nepal has immense potential for consumer-driven growth with over 60 percent of Nepal's population falling within the working-age group and a rapidly expanding middle-class population.

He said that Nepal provides a number of investment opportunities across diverse sectors, including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, garments, high-value crops manufacturing, agro-processing and infrastructure.

“Our hydropower potential holds the promise of abundant renewable and clean energy supply, while the tourism sector beckons with its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty,” he said.

The prime minister said Nepal's strategic location, situated between emerging markets India and China, signifies it as an ideal investment destination. “Duty-free access to these markets, facilitated by regional agreements SAFTA and BIMSTEC as well as Free Trade arrangement, ensure the bilateral and regional markets,” he said.

Prime Minister Dahal said investment in Nepal is profitable as witnessed in the case of various companies operating in Nepal with significant foreign investment. “The share of repatriation of dividends of those companies remains impressive, which demonstrates the profitable investment environment in Nepal,” he said.