CNI Monthly Newsletter-2026 April Edition

[Confederation of Nepalese Industries]

CNI Welcomes Commitment to Repeal Outdated Laws and Drive Policy Reforms

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has welcomed the government’s commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, to repeal outdated and irrelevant laws and introduce much-needed policy reforms.

As a representative body of both manufacturing and service industries, CNI believes the newly formed government has shown encouraging intent by prioritizing the implementation of recommendations that the private sector has consistently put forward. The government’s strong emphasis on good governance and its commitment to combating corruption align with the broader aspirations of the business community and the public at large.

CNI particularly appreciates the decision to repeal several laws it has long identified as barriers, including those restricting outbound investment, provisions related to compensation, the Black Marketing and Certain Social Offences and Punishment Act, and the Nepal Agency Act. The decision to dissolve the Revenue Investigation Department has also been positively received. Read more

CNI Holds Discussion with Finance Minister, Pledges Support for a Business-Friendly and Liberal Economy

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) held a discussion with Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle about the state of the country’s economy. Led by CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey, the delegation met on Monday evening to exchange greetings and discuss current economic challenges and potential solutions.

During the meeting, President Pandey highlighted areas where the government should focus immediately, in the medium term, and long term to achieve good governance and high economic growth, which the people of Nepal expect. He welcomed Minister Wagle’s commitment to second generation economic reforms and the repeal of outdated or irrelevant laws, expressing confidence that the government will prioritize overall economic improvement starting from the upcoming budget.

He emphasized the need for policies that promote job creation, high economic growth, and production-oriented industries to reduce imports. He also stressed that earning money should not be viewed as a crime, urging the government to create a positive environment where legally earning wealth is respected. Given the current weak demand, he suggested policies to boost overall market demand. Read more

CNI Signs MoU with Norvic Hospital

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Norvic Hospital, marking the beginning of a meaningful partnership in healthcare support.

This collaboration represents a significant step toward enhancing access to quality healthcare services for Nepal’s industrial and business community. Through this agreement, CNI members and their teams will have access to dedicated medical support services at Norvic Hospital, ensuring timely and reliable care when it matters most. Read more

CNI Meets Minister for MoLESS, Discusses Employment and Industrial Growth

A delegation from the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) met with the Minister for the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), Dipak Kumar Sah, today to discuss employment generation, industrial promotion, and collaboration between the government and the private sector.

During the meeting, CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey congratulated Minister Sah on assuming his new role and extended his best wishes for a successful tenure.

President Pandey emphasized that government policies should provide greater incentives to manufacturing industries in order to create more employment opportunities in the country. He stated that the manufacturing sector has a vital role in driving economic growth and generating jobs.

He further expressed CNI’s commitment to working closely with the ministry for the overall growth of the country’s economy and to support employment generation. Read more

CNI discussion with ILO

March 25, 2026

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) held a meeting with the International Labour Organization (ILO) on March 25, 2026, at the ILO Office in Kathmandu to discuss Nepal’s economic growth strategy and labour market priorities.

During the meeting, CNI presented its ongoing study, “Pathway for Nepal to Reach a $100 Billion Economy,” being developed in collaboration with the National Planning Commission, Investment Board Nepal, and the Ministry of Finance. The study outlines a roadmap to expand Nepal’s economy to $100 billion within the next decade through higher productivity, increased investment, and improved labor force participation, supported by strategic sectors, structural reforms, and MSME-driven growth.

ILO provided key feedback emphasizing the need to address external risks, ensure inclusive growth, and strengthen labour market outcomes. Discussions highlighted challenges such as remittance dependency, low female labour force participation, skills gaps, climate vulnerability, and constraints faced by MSMEs. ILO also stressed the importance of fair wage growth, better migrant reintegration, and investment in the care economy. Read more

CNI Tourism Committee Holds Interaction with Immigration Director General

26 March 2026  The CNI Tourism Committee held an interaction meeting with Ram Chandra Tiwari, Director General of the Department of Immigration, to discuss key issues and recommendations aimed at improving airport services and enhancing Nepal’s tourism experience.

During the meeting, Committee Chair Pamfa Dhamal highlighted concerns over long queues at Tribhuvan International Airport due to the lack of dedicated business and tourist counters. The Committee recommended reinstating separate service desks and introducing a structured immigration lane system for diplomatic, business class, tourist, and general passengers.

The Committee also proposed implementing an online visa fee payment system to align with international best practices, improve visitor convenience, and boost tourism revenue. Additionally, maintaining separate data records for Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) and foreign nationals was suggested for better tracking and policy planning. Read more

CNI Hosts 5th Talk Series on AI to Drive Business Transformation

Kathmandu, March 25 - The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) organized the 5th edition of its ongoing CNI Talk Series on “Transforming Businesses through AI Excellence” at its Secretariat in Trade Tower, Thapathali. The session was designed to engage high-level management and business leaders from diverse sectors on the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in driving business transformation.

The session featured Mr. Suresh Manandhar, a distinguished AI scientist, academic, and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, as the resource person. Mr. Manandhar holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh and has previously led the AI Research Group at the University of York, UK. He currently serves as Honorary Chair in AI at Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology (MBUST) and is also the CEO and Chief Scientist at Wiseyak, where he focuses on developing AI-driven healthcare solutions for low-resource settings. 

Mr. Manandhar delivered an insightful presentation on the practical applications of AI across industries, followed by an engaging and interactive discussion with participants. He emphasized the importance of integrating AI into business processes to enhance efficiency, innovation, and long-term competitiveness. Read more

Capacity-Building Training on Quality Infrastructure for Trade and Market Access

Department of Industry Nepal and with technical support from the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM), organized a Capacity-Building Training on Quality Infrastructure for Trade and Market Access on 11 March 2026 at Hotel Himalaya under the Make in Nepal – Swadeshi Campaign. The training brought together 50 representatives from SMEs, MSMEs, and large-scale industries to enhance their understanding of quality standards, certification systems, and quality management practices that strengthen product reliability and improve market competitiveness. The program began with opening remarks from Dr. Ghanashyam Ojha, Director General of the CNI, who highlighted the importance of quality certification and regulatory compliance for strengthening Nepal’s industrial sector. Read more