KATHMANDU, Aug 13: Prospects for attracting investment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) into Nepal’s startup and industrial sectors are gaining momentum, with the two sides discussing ways to promote entrepreneurship, improve the investment environment and connect UAE investors with promising Nepali startups.
The discussions took place between a delegation led by Shova Gyawali, chairperson of Startup Summit Nepal 2026, and UAE Ambassador to Nepal Abdullah Saeed Mubarak Jarwan Alshamsi at the UAE Embassy in Kathmandu.
Ambassador Alshamsi said Nepal could attract greater investment from the UAE by creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurs seeking to establish startups and businesses in the country. He said Nepal could position itself as an attractive destination for UAE investors by systematically identifying commercially viable business ideas, innovative technologies and investment-ready projects.
The envoy also emphasized the need to prioritize orientation, skills development and training in information technology, technical fields and other technology-driven sectors. Developing a skilled workforce, encouraging young people to pursue technology-based entrepreneurship and preparing viable projects could, he said, significantly expand investment opportunities while strengthening Nepal’s startup ecosystem.
Nepal and the UAE have longstanding ties in economic cooperation, labour, trade and investment. Ambassador Alshamsi has also emphasized the need to expand bilateral relations into new areas of economic cooperation and investment.
'We can use the UAE as a special support for the economy of Nep...
Gyawali said providing practical knowledge and information to young people, students and aspiring entrepreneurs should be a priority for building a strong startup ecosystem in Nepal.
She said programs focused solely on Kathmandu would not be sufficient to promote entrepreneurship across the country. Startup Summit Nepal 2026 is therefore preparing to take its campaign to all seven provinces and universities.
The programs will provide practical guidance on startups, business ideas, business-plan development, sources of investment, market management, technology adoption and the operational aspects of running an enterprise.
“We will initially conduct programs in different provinces and universities to provide students, young people and aspiring entrepreneurs with comprehensive knowledge about startups. This initiative has already begun with Tribhuvan University,” Gyawali said. “Anyone wishing to start a business needs practical knowledge on how to transform an idea into a viable enterprise, raise investment and establish the business in the market.”
She said the summit's objective was not limited to organizing a conference but was intended to support entrepreneurs throughout the process, from developing an initial idea to securing investment. “Our objective is not simply to provide information about startups and send young people home. We want to help transform promising ideas into projects, make those projects investment-ready and ultimately connect them with investors in Nepal and abroad. Only through such an approach can the startup movement generate tangible economic results,” she said.
Gyawali noted that although Nepal has considerable potential in startups and innovation, many emerging businesses have struggled to achieve their growth potential because of limited access to capital, technology, markets, skills and mentorship. She stressed the need for greater collaboration among the government, private sector, universities, financial institutions and international investors to build a stronger and more sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The meeting was attended by Gyawali; keynote speaker Eng. Umesh Kumar Gupta; Director Basudev Neupane; and Director Narayan Prasad Oli.
Startup Summit Nepal 2026 aims to transform its province- and university-level campaign into a broader national and international investment platform, creating opportunities for promising Nepali startups to access capital, technology, expertise and markets at home and abroad. The summit's campaign, which will begin at the provincial and university levels, is intended to evolve into a national and international investment summit.
Gyawali said Nepal's young population represents significant entrepreneurial potential and stressed the need to develop young people not merely as job seekers but as entrepreneurs capable of creating employment opportunities.
