President Paudel urges Japanese business community to invest in Nepal

KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Paudel has urged the Japanese business community to explore investment opportunities in Nepal. He reminded them that the Government of Nepal is committed to providing all possible support to Japanese investors, the President’s Secretariat said.

Paudel made the remarks while addressing an interactive programme with the Japanese business community in Tokyo on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan. The President is on an official visit to Japan that began on 1 February.

“We have created an overall economic environment that offers lucrative returns to investment along with easy procedures for repatriation of profits and capital. The Government of Nepal is committed to providing full support to foreign investment, facilitating it without conditions, and ensuring the security of investments,” the Head of State underlined.

As Nepal and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties, Paudel said the moment is appropriate to begin deeper cooperation in areas of mutual benefit. He urged Japanese investors to explore opportunities in agriculture, water resources and tourism, saying such investment would contribute to Nepal’s prosperity while also benefiting investors.

“Japan’s investment in Nepal will serve two purposes: securing economic benefits and contributing to service and religious values at the same time,” he commented, adding that Nepal–Japan relations, founded on goodwill, friendship and cooperation, represent exemplary bilateral relations.

Paudel described the 70th anniversary as historic and said bilateral relations are deepening at the people‑to‑people level beyond official engagements. He praised Japan’s long‑standing support to Nepal and described Japan as a reliable development partner in Nepal’s socio‑economic endeavours.

The President said Nepal’s efforts are focused on social justice, good governance and people’s prosperity alongside political stability. He said Nepal would be upgraded from least‑developed‑country status by the end of this year and that graduation to middle‑income country status by 2030 would be another important achievement.

“Huge resources are needed for such a campaign. Nepal has focused its attention on attracting maximum foreign investment in areas of national priority, increasing Nepal’s trade, diversifying international affiliations, promoting tourism and acquiring advanced technology,” he said.

Paudel urged cooperation between the government and the private sector and partnerships with other countries, and said Nepal has opened almost every sector to foreign investment, including manufacturing, hydropower, tourism, services, information technology, mines and agriculture‑based industry. He said legal, procedural and institutional reforms under liberal economic policies have been introduced to smooth trade and promote innovation.

“Investment Board Nepal provides a one‑door service to big investors. The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and major international credit rating agencies, through independent assessments, have confirmed that Nepal offers one of the most favourable business environments in South Asia,” the President added.

Paudel said Nepal’s location between two rising economic giants, India and China, could offer huge advantages to potential investors.

On the occasion, Chargé d’Affaires of Nepal to Japan Harihar Kant Poudel welcomed the President, while the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and Joint‑Secretary Bhrigu Dhungana made presentations on investment potential in Nepal. Some members of the Japanese business community said they were pleased to learn of the opportunities and expected the event to open doors for future investment.