KATHMANDU, April 28: The third Investment Summit commenced in Kathmandu with Finance Minister Barshman Pun emphasizing Nepal’s potential as a premier destination for international investment.

Minister Pun, who is also the vice-chairman of the Investment Board Nepal, said that promoting Nepal as an investment-friendly country is the primary objective of the summit.

Minister Pun mentioned that the third investment summit aims to showcase the recent regulatory reforms that make Nepal more attractive to foreign and domestic investors.  The summit is also an opportunity to exhibit of projects in various sectors, including those ready for investment.

He expressed confidence that the summit will lead to agreements and collaboration between investors and stakeholders, as Nepal's economic indicators are stabilizing and showing positive trends. He mentioned that Nepal has recently achieved significant progress in clean energy, tourism, information technology, agriculture, and agro-based industries, making it an attractive investment destination.

“To improve the business environment and build investors trust, we have implemented various policy reforms,” He said, “We have ensured transparency and accountability in public governance and addressed policy and procedural hurdles involved in starting a business. This process will continue”

He added that Nepal welcomes foreign investment as a catalyst for industrial development, infrastructure development, job creation, export promotion and the transfer of knowledge, skills, and technology.

FinMin Pun stressed that domestic investment and markets alone are insufficient to achieve high economic growth, thus emphasizing the need to attract foreign investment. He added that the government is committed to cooperating with the private sector through direct private investment and public-private partnerships.