Investment Climate in Nepal

Last Update On : 2014-04-01 Bookmark and Share

Investment Climate in Nepal

The Government of Nepal (GON) is highly supportive of all investment. It aims to create social and economic systems that can provide reliable access to good-quality, basic necessities such as education, health, and food, that can generate jobs, protect the environment, and eradicate poverty.

The GON and private sector organizations work well in tandem. Through sustainable economic development, the country is working toward political stability, peace building, trade facilitation and economic capacity building.

Industry

The GON has placed a high priority on industrial development in the country. To that end, the GON is focused on creating an investment-friendly environment, increasing employment, production and productivity, and substituting imports and minimizing the trade deficit by promoting export-oriented industries.

The new Industrial Policy 2010 was created to replace the Industrial Policy of 1992 with the primary objective of attracting domestic and foreign investments by improving the industrial environment, increasing industrial production and productivity, creating more employment opportunities, substituting imports through the promotion of export-based industries, and improving Nepal's balance of payment by minimizing the trade deficit.

The policy has already been approved and is in the implementation phase, while preparations for the approval of the Technology Transfer Policy 2010 are in process. Likewise, a Nepal Business Forum has also been constituted to promote an investment-friendly environment and to maintain mutual trust and understanding amongst government officials, private investors, and stakeholders.

Export - Import Scenario

Exportandimportofgoodsinnepal

Source : Economic Survey 2012-13, Ministry of Finance

Size of the Market

The principal attraction for foreign investors to Nepal is the size of the market. In 2012-13, Nepal had the gross national disposable income (GNDI) of NRs. 2,195,827 millions. At NRs. 95 to a dollar, this amounts to approximately $23113.968 million USD. Nepal's GDP is NRs. 1,701,194 millions, per capita GNDI in 2012-13 was $926 USD, and per capita GDP was $717 USD (CBS National Account, 2013-14).

Return on Investment (ROI)

Compared to other countries in South Asia, Nepal offers the lowest tax burden in the region. Some of the reasons for comparatively high ROI in Nepal include:

  • Huge investment potential in tourism, hydropower, agriculture, and mine and mineral sectors;
  • Abundance of natural resources;
  • Maximum income tax rate of 25% and value added tax (VAT) of 13%;
  • Income tax exemption on profits from exports and interest income on foreign loans;
  • Tax rate of 15% on royalties and technical and management fees; and
  • Customs, excise duties, and VAT levied on raw materials and auxiliary raw materials of export-oriented industries is reimbursed to the exporter on the basis of the amount of exports within 60 days of application.

Industrial Infrastructure Development

The Industrial Infrastructure Development Program was brought into effect in 2008-09 in order to develop Nepal's physical infrastructure, establish and operate feasible industries, and promote an investment-friendly environment for industrialists and entrepreneurs. Under this program, road construction and electricity transmission line expansion works are undergoing in Udaypur, Makwanpur, Dhading, Lalitpur, Dang, Rolpa and Palpa districts. Cement industries are also planned for these districts.

Labor Practices

Labor practices of Nepal are guided by the Labor Act of 1992. The creation of a new labor law is in process, and is being drafted with input from regular bipartite discussions and consultations with trade unions and employers, and with tripartite consensus of the GON, employers, and trade unions.

15-Point Declaration on the Third National Labor Conference (9 – 11 July, 2012), Nepal

  1. Recognize that labor law is fundamental law
  2. Ensure social security to workers
  3. Amend labor and trade union law in a timely way
  4. Set times for collective bargaining
  5. Strengthen labor administration
  6. Build investment/industry-friendly atmosphere
  7. Build confidence among government agencies, employers and trade unions
  8. Set scientific criteria for minimum wage
  9. Improve industrial safety
  10. Promote gender-friendly environment at work places
  11. Abolish Child Labor
  12. Explore alternatives to foreign employment
  13. Develop integrated labor information system
  14. Endorse minimum wage agreement (March 24, 2011)
  15. Organize national-level labor conference every three years

Employment hours and benefits

Working Days 6 days a week
Working Hours 48 hours in a week (8 hours a day)
Rest 30 minutes for refreshment
Overtime Pay - 150% per hour (up to 20 hours in a week)
Annual Holidays Public Holidays 13 days + 1 day - Labour Day
House leave 18 days/ Year
Maternity Leave 52 days/ Year
Sick Leave 15 days/ Year
Other Leaves Bereavement leave, special leave, leave with or without pay, etc.
Minimum Wage (MW) In every 2 year interval MW is fixed by the government on the recommendation of the Minimum Remuneration Committee
Provision of Contribution on MW Employers’ Contribution: 20% of basic salary
Worker Contribution: 11% of basic salary
Others OSH matter etc.

 

Minimum Wage in Nepal

Table (a) Amount in NPR
Basic Wage (Monthly)
SN Type of labour 1990 1992 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 2008 2010 2013
1 Un-skilled 800 1000 1000 1300 1450 1700 2200 3050 3550 5100
2 Semi-skilled 850 1050 1050 1350 1500 1750 2250 3100
3 Skilled 958 1160 1160 1460 1610 1860 2360 3210
4 Highly-skilled 1142 1350 1350 1650 1800 2050 2550 3400

 

Table (b) Amount in NPR
Dearness Allowance (Monthly)
SN Type of labour 1990 1992 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 2008 2010 2013
1 Un-skilled 50 150 450 500 666 860 1100 1550 2650 2900
2 Semi-skilled 50 150 450 500 666 860 1100 1550
3 Skilled 50 150 450 500 666 860 1100 1550
4 Highly-skilled 50 150 450 500 666 860 1100 1500

Note: Minimum Wage (MW) will generally be fixed by the GON on the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Fixation  Committee in every two year interval.

Source: Nepal Gazette

Holidays

Government:

Sunday through Friday is the work week, with Saturday the weekly day off. Most offices are open Sunday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In winter, for three months (Mansir, Poush and Magh, or approximately 15th November to 14th March), hours are reduced by one hour every day but Friday.

The government announces other holidays often reserved for specific religions or regions. The calendar and official documents are based in Nepali B.S.

Private:

Fro most private sector organizations, Saturday is a weekly day off. However, this may vary according to the nature and type of services. For 24-hour industries such as hospitals, service industries, boilers, etc., holidays are covered by their own rule and regulations.

Industrial Policy, 2010

The Industrial Policy, 2010 was created to bring about positive changes in the overall economic and social sectors of the country through speedy industrial development. This policy will boost industrial development activities, create employment opportunities , increase income levels, and ultimately ensure that the industrial sector contributes to the national economy as a leading sector.

Key Objectives

  • Increase industrial product exports and ensure a rise in national income and employment opportunities through an increase in qualitative and competitive industrial products and productivity;
  • Increase the contribution of the industrial sector to national and regional development by mobilizing local sources, raw materials, skills and tools;
  • Make the industry and business sectors sustainable and reliable by utilizing the latest technology and environment-friendly production processes;
  • Establish Nepal as an attractive investment site in South Asia and the world by developing the pool of human resources needed for industrial development, increaseing managerial capacity, and creating a foundation for solid investments; and
  • Safeguard industrial intellectual property rights.

Salient Features of the Industrial Policy:

  • The policy provides for the following institutions: Investment Board, Industrial Promotion Board, Industrial Human Resource Development Academy, Industrial Sector Management Authority, and National Productivity Council. This is in order to make policy implementation effective, promote the industrial sector, base regulatory works on efficiency and professional capacity and perform institutional strengthening works.
  • Income tax exemption and other assistance is provided as per the nature of industry and business operation arrangements.
  • Export-oriented industries and industries based in the Export Promotion House and Special Economic Zone are entitled to receive the declared facilities and assistance on customs duty, excise duty and VAT.
  • Micro, cottage and small industries are entitled to receive the declared facilities and assistance on customs duty, excise duty and VAT.
  • The policy establishes a high-level Investment Board in order to accord high priority to broad industrial investment, formulate integrated policies to protect, help and express commitments, manage necessary resources required for promotion works, and provide all types of required services and assistance to the investors from one single place.
  • Industries established in the Special Economic Zone are entitled to receive the declared income tax exemption, VAT-related facilities and assistance, and exemptions on customs duty and local tax.
  • A one-stop service centre will be constituted in the Department of Industry to provide facilities, assistance and infrastructure services as provded by the law.
  • An Intellectual Property Protection Office will be created, incorporating all areas of intellectual property rights and responsibilities
  • Special priority will be accorded to women industrialists wishing to establish industries inside an industrial area: the industry registration fee will be reduced by 35 percent, and 20 percent exemptions will be made on the registration of industrial property patent, design and trademark.

Special Economic Zones

The GON formed the Special Economic Zone Project (SEZP) on January 1, 2004 under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply (MOICS) to: formulate laws, rules and regulations; implement planning, design and construction of Special Economic Zones throughout Industrial Statistics 2010/11 Department of Industry Nepal; and to carry out relevant works.

Foreign Investment Outlook

The World Investment Report 2011 indicated that Nepal's total FDI inflows were valued at $1.243 trillion USD, whereas the outflows were at $1.323 trillion. The inflows in Nepal were only 0.003% of the total, or $39 million.

China is the largest contributor to foreign investment in Nepal, followed by India and the USA on the basis of registered company. Manufacturing, energy, service, tourism, minerals, construction and agriculture are the areas of greatest capital investment.

Industries Approved for FI

Number of industries approved for FI up to 2012- 13 in Nepal.

ForeignInvestmentByCountryinNepal

FDIinNepal,categorywise

Source : Industrial Statistics 2012/13, Department of Industry

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Industry

A policy on FDI and technology transfer has been drafted to enhance FDI in the industrial sector and formulate investment-friendly environment. The approval process of the policy draft is in the final phase. The proposed policy focuses on providing a comparative advantage to the private sector and increasing competitiveness in the global market by simplifying procurement and technology transfer to increase the flow of FDI. Accordingly, a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement has been signed with India with the objective of promoting Indian investment in the industrial sector of Nepal, while preparations are being made to sign similar agreements with other countries. FDI and technology transfer is crucial in making the economy strong, consolidated, dynamic, competitive and self-dependent through maximum utilization of natural and human resources. FDI provides capital, advanced technology, management, technical skills, access to international market and helps in the development of competitive professional culture. In this course, among the industries approved in FY 2012/13, 43 were in agriculture sector, 1 in construction, 6 in energy, 84 in production, 5 in minerals, 89 in services, and 89 in tourism.

Foreign Relations

Nepal is a small, landlocked country located between two larger and more powerful countries: India and China. Nepal maintains excellent relations with both of these countries.

Nepal formally established relations with China in 1956, and the two countries have had good relations since that time.

Nepal has strong traditional, cultural, religious, linguistic, and economic ties with India. A bilateral trade treaty signed with India in 1991 is subject to renewal every 5 years. A transit treaty with India, which allows Nepal to trade with other countries through the Calcutta/Haldia ports, was extended on March 30, 2006 for 7 years.

Nepal played an active role in the formation of the economic development organization, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and is the site of its secretariat. Nepal is also a signatory of the agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), which came into force on January 1, 2006. A SAFTA tariff liberalization program (TLP) is being implemented. On international issues, Nepal follows a non-aligned policy and often votes with the Non-Aligned Movement in the United Nations. Nepal participates in a number of UN specialized agencies and is a member of the WTO, World Bank, and IMF.

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