KATHMANDU, March 29: Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) has welcomed the government’s recently announced 100-point governance reform agenda aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), creating a business-friendly environment, and prioritizing business facilitation.
Issuing a statement on Sunday, NICCI said that the decisions taken during the first Cabinet meeting of Prime Minister Balen Shah send a positive message toward improving Nepal’s investment climate, reducing administrative hassles, and restoring private sector confidence.
The government has proposed measures such as simplifying, expediting, and making transparent the processes for industry registration, approval, and operation; strengthening the one-stop service center; implementing a ‘single-window approval system’ through the Investment Board; integrating business registration and tax procedures; and making the entire service system digital and trackable. It has also set a goal of strengthening an investment-friendly environment through the implementation of strategies for private sector protection and promotion, the press release stated.
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NICCI President Sunil KC expressed confidence that the government’s move would lay a strong foundation for attracting foreign investment into Nepal. “Policy clarity, streamlined procedures, and the expansion of digital systems will boost investor confidence,” he said, adding, “This will help position Nepal as a regional investment destination.”
He particularly highlighted the importance of the ‘single-window approval system’, the ‘startup fast track,’ and efforts to remove administrative barriers in business operations for the private sector, the press release mentioned.
Similarly, Saibal Ghosh, co-convenor of the Indian Business Forum (IBF) under NICCI, said that the reform agenda introduced by the government would also attract Indian investors. “Policy stability and faster decision-making processes make cross-border investment easier,” he noted, adding, “This is a positive signal toward further strengthening Nepal-India economic cooperation.”
Recalling that NICCI has long been advocating for the implementation of a ‘single-window approval system’ for new investment as well as established businesses in Nepal through Investment Borad or releted departments, Ghosh emphasized that digital governance, transparent service systems, and legal frameworks related to project facilitation would reduce investor risk, said the press release.
NICCI has urged the government to ensure effective implementation of its decisions and to maintain continuous dialogue with the private sector, particularly with bilateral chamber like NICCI. The bilateral chamber noted that around one-third of Nepal’s total foreign direct investment so far has come from India, and that Nepal can benefit significantly from cooperation with India in sectors such as trade, energy, and technology.
Furthermore, NICCI also stressed that real improvements in the investment climate will only be achieved through the swift and practical implementation of policies as announced.
