The Nepal Business Summit 2026 was successfully held in Kathmandu through a collaborative initiative by the Nepal Business Institute, NIKKI, CBFIN, and FIN. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle highlighted that the government has implemented fundamental changes in economic policy and governance, urging the private sector to invest actively. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal presented the government’s vision for rapid and sustainable economic development, emphasizing investment promotion and technology partnerships.
The summit, hosted in Kathmandu, was jointly organized by the Nepal Business Institute (NBI), Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NIKKI), Confederation of Banking and Financial Institutions Nepal (CBFIN), and Federation of Export Entrepreneurs Nepal (FIN). Dr. Swarnim Wagle, keynote speaker and Finance Minister, noted that the current government has received a clear mandate from the public to bring substantial changes in economic policy and governance systems, with both public and private sectors already experiencing the positive impacts, contributing to ongoing progress.
Kunal Kayal, Acting Chairman of NIKKI, highlighted the importance of bringing together policymakers, business leaders, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and development partners on a common platform to address shared development challenges. He stated that NIKKI is actively strengthening trade relations between Nepal and India, particularly in business, energy, infrastructure, cross-border connectivity, and integrated financial facilitation. He reiterated NIKKI’s commitment to facilitating dialogue between the government and private sector, promoting cross-border partnerships, and enhancing economic cooperation.
Dr. Gunakar Bhatt, Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission, cited data showing that over the past five years, Nepal has experienced an outflow of 9.7 billion NPR in dividends and an inflow of 6 billion NPR in investments, underscoring that substantial investment opportunities still exist within Nepal. Former Nepali Ambassador to India Dr. Shankar Sharma discussed how India’s Neighbour First Policy and strategic initiatives related to regional supply chains have maintained a positive environment for Nepal. In the closing session, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal articulated the government’s perspective on achieving rapid and sustainable economic development grounded in good governance, predictable policies, and structural reforms.
