AmCham Nepal event seeks to strengthen US-Nepal economic ties
The side event, "Advancing US-Nepal Commercial Relations – II," showcased Nepal’s untapped economic potential and emphasized the need for collaboration to unlock growth opportunities.
KATHMANDU: American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal (AmCham Nepal) brought together influential leaders and stakeholders from Nepal and the United States to explore ways to deepen commercial ties between the two nations.
The side event, “Advancing US-Nepal Commercial Relations – II,” showcased Nepal’s untapped economic potential and emphasized the need for collaboration to unlock growth opportunities.
Unlocking Nepal’s PotentialAmCham Nepal Chairperson Mr. Nirmal Raj Shrestha, also the CEO of MetLife Nepal, set the stage by highlighting Nepal as a land of immense opportunities.
He emphasized the need to position Nepal as an attractive investment destination, urging stakeholders to capitalize on its unique economic potential.
Government’s Commitment to IT and InnovationMr. Anil Kumar Dutta, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, outlined the government’s vision for an IT-driven decade, declaring 2025 as a foundational year for this transformation. He announced initiatives to reform policies, facilitate Nepali companies’ international expansion, and promote global competitiveness.
Key highlights included forming a dedicated committee to spearhead IT policy changes. Efforts to integrate academia, private sector, and government for workforce development.Drafting of Nepal’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy, focusing on combating misinformation and fostering ethical AI practices, will soon be open to stakeholder feedback.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Jason Meeks from the US Embassy reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to strengthening economic partnerships. He emphasized the importance of tax reforms, consistency in policies, and job creation in Nepal’s IT and hydropower sectors. He also highlighted the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)’s role in advancing Nepal’s hydropower development.
Catalyzing Growth through PartnershipsMs. Karen Welch, Deputy Mission Director at USAID, outlined how US development programs are aligned with Nepal’s economic priorities. She announced four upcoming grant agreements aimed at eliminating systemic barriers through public-private partnerships, enhancing community-level impacts, and fostering economic growth.
Private Sector InsightsLeaders from the private sector called for actionable reforms to boost Nepal’s investment climate.
Mr. Deepak Senthilnath, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Nepal, emphasized tax moderation, land allocation for manufacturing, and trademark protection. He noted Nepal’s low per capita beverage consumption as an untapped market opportunity.
Mr. Nirmal Kajee Shrestha from MetLife advocated for strengthened government-private sector dialogue, focusing on tech, energy, and service industries.
Shaping the Road AheadMr. Siddhanth Mehra, Executive Director of the US Chamber of Commerce, posed key questions on AmCham’s 2025 roadmap, stressing the importance of institutional development, consultative mechanisms, and business climate indexing.
Concluding the event, the Founding Chairperson of AmCham Nepal Mr. Ajit Bikram Shah urged stakeholders to actively engage and leverage Nepal’s youthful talent pool, especially in the ICT sector, to secure a competitive edge in global markets.
A Vision for the FutureAmCham General Manager Mr. Amir Raj Thapa mentioned upcoming regulatory workshops to draft recommendations for win-win solutions that benefit both the government and private sectors. These initiatives will pave the way for stronger collaboration and an improved business environment.
The event concluded on a note of optimism, with participants pledging to foster innovation, policy reform, and deeper cooperation to unlock new avenues for economic growth and strengthen US-Nepal ties.
