NICCI, ICT Foundation Nepal sign MoU to strengthen ICT, startup ecosystem

KATHMANDU: Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) and ICT Foundation Nepal have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost collaboration aimed at strengthening Nepal’s information and communication technology (ICT) and startup ecosystem.

The MoU was signed on Monday at the NICCI Secretariat by NICCI Director General KM Singh and ICT Foundation Nepal President Razan Lamsal.

NICCI President Sunil KC described the agreement as a significant step towards fostering innovation, digitisation and entrepreneurship in Nepal through joint initiatives.

Under the partnership, the two organisations will create platforms to promote digital transformation, innovation and startup development. A central element of the collaboration is the hosting of a joint annual flagship event to raise awareness of emerging trends, technologies and opportunities in the ICT sector, the MoU states.

The collaboration will also facilitate engagement with ICT experts from India and other countries, support policy research and recommendations, and encourage knowledge exchange. Both organisations plan to produce research publications, including sectoral reports, to strengthen evidence-based policy-making and help position Nepal’s ICT industry in the global market.

ICT Foundation Nepal has been active for more than a decade in promoting digitisation, innovation and entrepreneurial development across the country through policy advocacy, capacity-building programmes and ecosystem development. As a binational chamber, NICCI has supported the ICT and startup ecosystem through its Startup and Private Equity Committee by engaging stakeholders from academic institutions, industry and the private sector.

Leaders from NICCI and ICT Foundation Nepal expressed confidence that the partnership will be meaningful and productive, contributing to the long-term development of Nepal’s ICT ecosystem and inspiring young entrepreneurs to pursue opportunities in the digital economy.

The partnership is expected to further advance NICCI’s objectives and contribute to the sustained growth of Nepal’s ICT sector.