BFIN holds 8th anniversary international conference in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Banking Finance and Insurance Institute of Nepal (BFIN) said it is holding its 8th Anniversary International Conference in Kathmandu today. The event is being held under the theme 'Future-Ready Financial Systems: Leadership, Sustainability and Transformation Amid Global Uncertainty'.

Dr Gunakar Bhatta, Vice‑Chair of the National Planning Commission, opened the conference as chief guest, and Dr Ravindra Prasad Pandey, a member of the Board of Directors of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), attended as guest of honour. The inaugural ceremony included the release of BFIN Journal Volume VII and the signing of two memoranda of understanding: one with South Asian University (India) and another with the Capacity‑Building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI) (China), intended to strengthen regional collaboration in higher education and sustainable finance.

The conference has brought together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, academics and international experts to debate the future of banking, finance and insurance amid global uncertainty. Speakers include IMF Resident Representative for Nepal Pranav Gupta; Prof K K Aggarwal, President of South Asian University (India); Namita Vikas, Founder and Managing Director of auctusESG (UK); Aastha Priyadarshi, Director of Business Development at Mastercard India; Rajeev Chadha, Director of Adisri Strategic Advisors (India); Dr Padmanabhan Raja Jaishankar, former Chairman and Managing Director of IIFCL (India); Janaka Wijesekera and Eng. Buddhika Batheegama from Sri Lanka; Zhang Ninghui, Deputy Head of Secretariat of CASI (China); Rahul Narayan, Regional Head of Exim Bank (India); Swati Agrawal, CEO of CARE Analytics and Advisory (India); and M Manjur Mahmud, President of Datasoft Systems Bangladesh. Senior executives from Nepal Rastra Bank, Nepal SBI Bank, NMB Bank, ICIMOD, SuryaJyoti Life Insurance and the Nepal Insurance Authority will also take part.

The programme comprises four special sessions and three high‑level panel discussions that will address themes such as global macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical change and financial stability, infrastructure financing, leadership in a changing world, sustainable and inclusive finance, climate risk, ESG integration, digital payments, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and the future of the financial ecosystem. The sessions will aim to provide practical insights and regional perspectives to strengthen resilient, future‑ready financial institutions.

As part of the anniversary celebration, BFIN is presenting the BFIN Learning & Development (L&D) Award 2026, recognising outstanding institutional commitment to professional development and capacity building within Nepal’s banking, finance and insurance sector. More than 200 delegates from banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, regulators, government agencies, academia and development organisations are attending, creating a platform for knowledge exchange, networking and regional cooperation.

Mastercard Inc is the title sponsor for the event. Main sponsors include Varun Beverages (Nepal), NIC ASIA Bank, Global IME Bank, Prabhu Bank, Nepal SBI Bank, Nepal Investment Mega Bank and SuryaJyoti Life Insurance Company. Silver sponsors supporting the programme are Kumari Bank, Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank, Sun Nepal Life Insurance Company, Laxmi Sunrise Bank, Nepal Infrastructure Bank, Garima Bikas Bank, Sanima GIC Insurance, Himalayan Bank, Fonepay Payment Service, CARE Ratings Nepal, City Express Money Transfer, Shine Resunga Development Bank, Machhapuchchhre Bank and LIC Nepal.