Over 150 projects to be showcased in Investment Summit

Kathmandu, Apr. 17:The Office of Investment Board Nepal (OIBN) has prepared a list of 151 projects for showcasing to foreign investors at the 3rd Nepal Investment Summit 2024 to be held on April 28-29 in Kathmandu.

Out of these, 31 private sector projects and 120 projects from the government side are set to be showcased in the Summit, according to the Office of the Investment Board Nepal.

The feasible projects from various sectors, including hydropower, transport, tourism, multipurpose parking, expressway, tunnel way and agriculture are to be displayed among the participants of the Summit.

Most of them are hydroelectric projects. Among the projects prepared to be presented at the Summit, more than three dozen are related to hydropower, solar, fast charging stations and transmission lines. Among the 31 private sector projects, 19 are hydropower projects.

The IBN will present the projects with all their features, including financial analysis, according to IBN.

According to IBN, the Board has decided to showcase Tiplyang Kali Gandaki Hydroelectric Project, Middle Kaligandaki Hydroelectric Project, Upper Sani Bheri Hydro Electricity Project, Mugu Karnali Hydropower Project, Pelma Khola Hydropower Project, Dhana Khola Hydropower Project, Upper Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, Landruk Modi Hydropower Project, Balephi Khola Hydropower Project, Chuwa Khola Hydropower Project, Nar Khola Hydropower Project and Upper Chuwa Luruppa Khola Hydropower Project.

Similarly, Upper Apsuwa Hydropower Project, Upper Bheri Hydroelectricity Project, Surke Dudhkoshi Hydropower Project, Upper Marsyangdi-1 Hydropower Project, Apsuwa Khola Hydropower Project, Mahakali Seti Hydropower Project (54 MW) and Seti Nadi Peaking Hydropower Project (72 MW) are set to be showcased in the Summit.

Apart from this, Happy Land Fun Park and Resort at Surunga in Jhapa, Natural Agriculture Farm at Taulihawa, Sikles-Annapurna Cable Car, Jalpadevi Cable Car, IME Cement at Baitadi, Kathmandu Technical School, Compost Fertilizer and Revolving Parking Project have been selected.

The proposal to build 10 luxury hotels on the trails of Mount Everest in three phases and a Bharatpur Island Resort and Waterland and Limestone Excavation and Transport are also being presented to foreign investors at the Summit.

Under the IBN, Naumure Multipurpose Project (281.04 MW), Khimti Those Siwalaya Storage Hydropower Project (1216 MW), Kaligandaki-2 Storage Hydropower Project (650 MW and Bharbhung Storage Hydropower Project (337.1 MW) are also set to be presented.

The projects to be showcased in the Summit might be added based on the priority.

The projects relating to promoting investment in ginger value chain, large cardamom chain enhancing trade, highland potato value chain project and value chain of Timur (Sichuan Pepper) Project are set to be displayed among the investors.

Chief Executive Officer of IBN Sushil Bhatta said that the preparation of the Investment Summit had reached its final stage.

"The Office of the Investment Board and the concerned government bodies are making their efforts to make the Summit a success. The registration of the participants from home and abroad to attend the conference are very encouraging. They have not only shown their interest to participate, but also are willing to choose the project for investment in Nepal," he told The Rising Nepal.

He said the Summit will serve as a platform to showcase Nepal as an emerging destination for global investors. Nepal possesses a dynamic investment landscape, especially in green energy, tourism, agribusiness, and the IT sector.

He said that the Summit will help explore attractive projects in hydropower, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and urban development, among others.

“Potential investors can learn about the recent policy reforms and infrastructural advancements making Nepal an attractive investment destination and network with public agencies, foreign investors, local businesses, and international development partners,” he said.

The government is collaborating closely with development partners, DFIs, and the private sector to organise the Summit.

IBN has sent invitations to above 1,200 organisations, institutions, potential investors, experts, Banks and Financial Institutions, and businessmen to participate in the Summit. Of them, around 355 have already confirmed to participate in the Summit to date, according to the IBN.

Similarly, around 900 individuals have registered their name spontaneously to participate in the Summit. Of them, around 50 per cent are from abroad.

As the Summit is a great platform to convey the message about the policies and programmes adopted by the government to create an investment environment, the aim of the Summit is to convince potential foreign investors that Nepal is a sustainable, appropriate and attractive destination for investment.

Out of the projects to be presented by the Board, interested investors are asking for letters of intent (expression of interest) for investment projects, he said.

According to Bhatta, IBN has selected projects in various sectors that can contribute to the economic development of the country considering the national priority and needs and are soon to be constructed.

Two special sessions along with the inaugural session would be held on the first day. The two plenary sessions are entitled ‘Exploring Investment Opportunities in Nepal’ and ‘Success Stories of Investments in Nepal’.

Parallel Session 1 of the second day is on 'Navigating Nepal's Renewable Energy Potential', 'Discussions on Innovative Financing Landscape', and panel discussion on 'Investment Opportunities and Green and Climate Resilient Business in Nepal'.

The government officials and IBN have been participating in the pre-investment summit abroad organised by various institutions, including Nepali Embassy in India, and urged to participate in the Summit in an encouraging manner.