Investment summit participants upbeat about investing in Nepal

The Republica Business Bureau caught up with investors from different countries participating in the Investment Summit 2019 to talk about their interest areas and plans of injecting investment in

the country.

Excerpts:

KRISHNA BHANDARI

Director of Nepali Diaspora Investment Fund (Ndif)

We are here to attend the summit as representatives of the Nepali diaspora. We are investing in different primary sectors of the country. I represent the company Nepali Diaspora Investment Fund which was established in January this year. The company has already signed an agreement to be an equity partner of 30 percent stake at Arati Hydropower Company, which is building Upper Irkhuwa Khola Hydropower Project of 14.5 MW. This means we will inject about Rs 230 million in this project. The project work is going to start soon, and it will start generating power by the end of 2022. The investors in our company are not big names, but they are successful professionals of Nepali origin working in different sectors across the world. Many are engineers and IT professionals. We have aimed at investing in Nepal in infrastructure projects, clean energy, agro-technology, and tourism. Any interested investor of Nepali origin anywhere in the world can be our shareholder with minimum worth US $1000 and more. We have pledged to mobilize five percent of the profits on corporate social responsibility projects.

THEOPHILE FRIED

Investment Officer

Proparco Groupe,

Agence Francaise De Development

(Proparco is a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement focused on private sector development.)

We are looking to invest on various sectors here in Nepal including renewable energy. Hydropower investment is high on our list of interests as we believe that Nepal has great potential in this area. Alongside hydropower, we are also looking at waste management, health, and education. We are also looking at providing financial solutions as a support to businesses and financial institutions here.

SUN SHUANGYIN

CEO

UP Air International Service Co Ltd

(UP Air International Service Co Ltd is an airline company based in Hong Kong, China.)

As an aviation company, I have found a lot of prospects for investment in the aviation sector. I want to invest in a cargo airline company that flies from Nepal to China – between Nepal and Sichuan province of China. With close ties between China and Nepal that are ever deepening, I believe that Nepal is a very suitable place for investment. I have found so many opportunities here. Keeping in mind Nepal’s abundant produce that often goes wasted, starting a cargo airline will allow Nepal to export goods into China.

LI HAIYUN

Project Manager and

Chief Representative (Nepal)

Power China

We are interested in investing in hydropower projects here in Nepal. As the Upper Marsyangdi Hydropwer Project has been a success, we have come back to start further investments in this sector as we find that it is an extremely profitable market.

ABBAS EL BAKHIET MOUSA MODAWI

Director

Alsalam Bank In Sudan

We are interested in starting joint ventures with the public sector of Nepal. Any sector that is suitable, feasible, and ready for execution, is worth my investment. I am interested in exporting cotton, sesame seeds, and different kinds of nuts from Sudan. And, I am interested in exporting jute bags from Nepal to Sudan.

SUSHIL PODDAR

President

Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations (Cwbta)

(CWBTA is an active body of traders that represents the Trade Associations of West Bengal. Traders of this association are engaged in almost all fields of trades.)

We came here to see the situation of the Nepali market, looking for areas that are worth our investment and our time. We are looking to explore in petroleum sector, chemical sector, and solar power. Moreover, we have come to know about the high production of perishable food in the country, much of which goes wasted because of the lack of a proper storage unit. Thus, we are also looking to invest in cold storage units. We are holding talks with the government to install sanitary napkin vending machines as demands are currently very high. If we find any prospective businesses that we deem favorable, we will invest as much as needed.

NGUYEN TUAN DUONG

Manager

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (Vnpt)

(VNPT is a telecommunications company owned by the Vietnamese Government.)

We are here to join hands with Nepal, and cooperate with the businesses here so as to invest in the information and technology sector. In a country where the advancement in information and technology is yet to reach its peak, we believe that our investment will be worthwhile. We are here to develop smart solutions that will simplify all forms of operation in different sectors. We want to invest in telecommunications and a broad range of digital services. We hope to find suitable partners here in Nepal.

HASSAN AL HAWI

Group Chairman

HH Group

(HH Group is a multi-national company based in Dubai that produces a wide array of goods

including perfumes, fashionjewelry, fashion garments, hotel and catering supplies, building materials, tour and travels, and interior décor.)

We are interested in investing specifically in the agricultural sector here in Nepal. I believe that Nepal has a market that has a potential of drastic growth. Exporting and importing fruits and other agricultural produce to and from Dubai to Nepal is something that I believe would be a worthwhile investment.