Nepal’s Investment Opportunities尼泊尔的投资机遇

⬆ Tamil District, Nepal

 
Nepal is an excellent destination for foreign investments especially for the Chinese investors. The business opportunities in Nepal are backed by Nepal’s attractive investment policy as well as it’s unique advantages of strategic location and as a storehouse of enormous natural and human resources. Our topography and abundant natural resources and incredible bio-diversity give rise to vast untapped potentials in hydropower, agriculture, and aromatic and medicinal plant research. The Himalayas and rich cultural heritage create huge opportunities for tourism and hospitality business as well.  By investing in Nepal investors could enjoy the extended market access in the neighbourhood as well as in the whole South Asian region and global level.

For Chinese enterprises, in particular, Nepal is a very attractive investment destination. The excellent bilateral relations in all the spheres- political, economic and cultural are a strong foundation for further enhancing our economic ties and exchanges. The exemplary and trouble-free political and diplomatic relations based on ancient linkages and modern imperatives are a good foundation for expanding our economic cooperation and ties.  China is the country from where we are receiving the largest amount of FDI; China is our second largest trading partner and also the second largest source country for tourism.  Most of the Chinese investments are concentrated in priority sectors such as hydropower, tourism, infrastructures and manufacturing, which have helped to enhance Nepal’s productive capacity in a substantive manner.  

Nepal-China bilateral trade has also continued to grow in a steady and consistent manner. In the past year, China remained Nepal’s second largest trade partner and the second largest source country for Nepal’s total imports. The ballooning trade deficit, however, is a matter of concern for both sides. The embassy is making continued efforts to facilitate the bilateral trade and investment.  Yet, structural constraints in areas such as supply capacity, weak backward linkages of raw material base for uninterrupted supply, physical infrastructure and laboratory certification mechanisms remain major bottlenecks in expanding exports to China. I am glad to mention here that many of these pertinent issues have been discussed during the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries recently, and hope that they will be resolved in the near future.

In recent years, Nepal has enacted business-friendly policies and laws to tap the opportunities provided by a peaceful and stable political climate in the country. The Government has implemented the Foreign Investment and Technology transfer Act, 2019, Public Private Partnership and Foreign Investment Act, 2019, Industrial Enterprises Act 2019, Special Economic Zones Act, 2019 and many more investment related legal apparatus and instruments for facilitating the investors and accelerating investments in Nepal. Currently, the Nepal’s position in the Doing Business Report is also satisfactory in comparison with other South Asian neighbouring countries.

The Government has put in place a robust regulatory framework and promulgated enabling policies in a range of specific sectors of the economy. We are actively pursuing the reform and strengthening of institutions. The “one stop service centre” has been established at the Department of Industries in order to facilitate the investors from a single window. Similarly, the Investment Board of Nepal established and  has been working actively to facilitate the foreign investment in the prioritised sectors in the fast track model.

On the other hand, the macroeconomic conditions of our economy are relatively stable, and conducive to long-term investments and economic growth.  The labour laws are flexible enough and supportive of economic growth and efficiency. The Industrial Enterprises Act, the Company Act and others related Tax laws and regulations have also been reviewed from time to time in line with investors’ genuine interests and legitimate demands. Almost all sectors except a few ones are open for foreign investment.  

The energy supply situation has improved significantly, and road, railways and aviation infrastructure, industrial parks and others urban infrastructures are under rapid expansion according to the needs of the federal structure of the country. We have the lowest corporate tax rate in our region. Special industries, enterprises operating roads, bridges, railways, hydropower stations, transmission lines, etc on Build Operate Own and Transfer (BOOT) basis are given a special rate of 20 percent. As per the legal provisions, foreign investment shall be treated equally as any domestic industry in Nepal. A foreign investor can own a single-person company.

As investors you could take the opportunities of investment in various modes by establishing new company with equity investment, by investing as joint venture, through lease financing as well as by technology transfer agreements. We are in the process of developing and expanding necessary infrastructures in Nepal, which offers a good opportunity for Chinese investors. Therefore, the investment prospects in Nepal have never been better than they are now, and for this reason, I believe that our Chinese friends should not miss this excellent opportunity to invest in Nepal.

I would like to call on all Chinese entrepreneurs and business enterprises to take full advantage of this unique opportunity that Nepal has to offer, and explore the benefit from the new vistas that have opened up in Nepal. Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic has increased challenges for both our countries, but I am sure that we will succeed in overcoming this menace in not-so-distant future. Meanwhile, it is important to restart our economies and revitalise cross-country economic exchanges and interactions. Most of all, it is important to keep up the momentum of enhanced economic co-operation and engagements between our two countries. I would like to discuss some major sector’s opportunities available for the Chinese investors in Nepal.

 
⬆ The successfully launch program of the Tunnel Boring Machine on Nepal’s Sunkosi Marin Diversion  Multipurpose project, entering the TBN construction stage, towards the Sunkesi River

   Major Sector Opportunities for Chinese Investors in Nepal

1. Nepal’s Hydropower
Nepal’s energy sector is widely recognized as being the key to the nation’s future economic growth, and the vehicle that will enable the Government of Nepal to meet its development goals. In addition to setting quantitative targets for electricity generation, transmission and distribution, prioritizing rural electrification, and promoting the efficient use of electricity, the Government of Nepal has strong commitment to sector reform and the promotion of private participation in this sector.

Nepal is rich in water resources with multiple sources of water, including glaciers, snowmelt from the Hima¬layas, rainfall and groundwater. Nepal’s theoretical ca¬pacity for producing power from hydropower projects is around 80,000 MW, out of which 43,000 MW is esti¬mated to be economically feasible. Hydropower is an important tool for economic growth and economic transformation. Although the journey of electricity development in Nepal started in 1911, electricity generation is meager compared to the potential capacity due to lack of effective investment policy coordination including the provision of financial incentives, and poor construction capacity. By Fiscal Year 2018/19, the total hydropower grid capacity has reached 1,128 MW. 78 per cent of the total population can access the electricity grid. The total length of transmission line with the capacity of 66 kV or more has expanded to 3,990 circuit kilometers. Electric infrastructure has been developed in a total of 635 local levels. Similarly, electricity consumption per capita is 245 kW per hour. Leakage, which is currently at 15.3 per cent, needs to be gradually reduced. The hydropower sector is attracting domestic and foreign direct investment. Investment is being made under intergovernmental, public, and private partnerships. Public investment has been prioritized for the energy mixing strategy and for generating enough power to meet the demand for development and electricity services.

With about 68% of all hydropower generation capac¬ity and the entire transmission and distribution network under its control, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is the most significant player in the energy sector. In¬dependent power producers (private players) own ap¬proximately 32% of hydropower generation capacity.

The government endorsed the ‘Work Plan on National Energy Crisis Alleviation and Energy Development Dec¬ade’ in February 2016, which provides a roadmap for policy reforms and initiatives to spur private sector in¬vestment.

Opportunities
• Nepal faces acute power shortages and opportunities exist in the hydropower sector to meet this gap in de¬mand.

• Nepal is targeting graduating from least developed country (LDC) status to developing country status by 2024 and aims to become a middle-income country by 2030. To meet its growth aspirations, Nepal will need to add 6,000+ MW (which requires investment of approximately USD 10 billion). Consequently, a lot of industries and infrastructure projects are in the pipe¬line opening up huge opportunities.

• In addition to energy development, investment opportuni¬ties lie in the up-gradation and expansion of distribution systems (for which investment of approximately USD 2 billion is required) and transmission systems (for which investment of approximately USD 4.45 billion is required).

• The Power Trade Agreement (PTA) signed with neighboring countries has opened up a large market for exporting electricity to neighbor countries and the region.

2. Nepal’s Transport
The transport sector has an important role to play in accelerating the socio-economic development of the country, facilitating trade, business, and services in addition to enhancing unhindered access for the general public. It is only through the development of a well-managed network and system of transport that the country can promote socio-economic integration and provincial balance. Overall National Development requires the development of sub-sectors within the transport sector by prioritizing them. The transport sector has an important role in achieving the long-term vision.

As a driver of economic growth and development, the transport sector has been making a significant contribution to physical and social infrastructure such as hydropower, industry, communication, tourism, agriculture, health, education, and urban and rural development. There is a need to ensure investment in the development of this sector which enjoys a multidimensional interrelationship with economic growth. As such, for the effective development of the overall transport system, investment, prioritization of investment, safe transport services, minimum transportation cost, and development of sustainable infrastructure and systematic maintenance are necessary. The integrated transport system is essential for easy, safe, and quality transport services guided by a short-term and long-term vision for the expansion of road networks, air transport, cross-border railway, waterways, and other means of transport. Besides, it is also necessary to develop this sector in days ahead by encouraging the use of environment-friendly technology and alternative fuels in the development and management of transport infrastructure.

Transportation facilitates the movement of people and goods to the location of services and facilities. Its synergies create jobs, commercial opportunities, and industrial hubs. Nepal’s transportation sector is greatly in need of development. But its geographical location vests the nation with potential and provides opportunities for foreign investors. Because of the nation’s often difficult terrain, road transport and aviation are the most popular of very few modes of transportation.

The transportation sector in Nepal contributes nearly 9% of GDP and grew at a rate of about 7% yearly. The average growth rate of the sector in the last five years was 7%.

The National Planning Commission has identified 21 ‘National Pride Projects’ that will contribute to the development of the economy, of which 10 are in the transportation infrastructure sector. The Government of Nepal is planning to construct international airports in Nijghad, Bara in the Terai. This airport will also an attractive investment project for the investors from China.

Opportunities
• Only 19% of roads in Nepal are all weather roads and 2 out of the 77 districts are still not connected by roads. Hence, there are many opportunities to ex¬pand the road network, for which the government is seeking to form public-private partnerships.

• Nepal’s main highways require expansion to accom¬modate the increase in traffic, which is another area for public-private partnerships.

• In order to cater to the needs of the growing popu¬lation, the development of mass public transporta¬tion systems – bus-rapid transport (BRT), railways, monorails, airports – has been prioritized for the foreign investment. To finance these projects, the government is looking at public-private partnerships model and foreign direct investment.

• North-south corridors (roads) linking China’s border, a cross-border railway line con¬necting Kathmandu with China, cross-border railway lines, a railway line along the East-West Highway, and cable cars projects all are prioritized for the foreign investment projects.

3. Nepal’s Agriculture
The agriculture sector, which contributes 27 per cent to GDP and is associated with the livelihoods of 60.4 per cent of the population, is the mainstay of economic prosperity. As the sector contributes to high and inclusive economic growth, past efforts to improve and transform it in a scientific way need to be intensified to increase production and productivity.

The Constitution of Nepal guarantees the right to food as a fundamental right. Considering food and nutrition crises that may arise due to various reasons, policy, structural and institutional reforms are needed in agriculture for self-reliance in the production of major staples, fruits, vegetables, and fish and meat products. Significant investment in agriculture is needed to make the country food sovereign and independent economy. The rights enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal, the Agriculture Development Strategy (2015-2035) which represents a roadmap for the overall development of the agriculture sector, and Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) have been taken as guiding documents. The agricultural development strategy (ADS) emphasizes on commercialization, mechanization, and diversification of agricultural and livestock products to make the sector competitive. Similarly, resources will be mobilized in this sector to achieve the goals of ending hunger, ensuring food security and nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture under the SDGs. In particular, issues related to income generation, poverty alleviation, and agriculture mechanization will be addressed by attracting the foreign investment in the agriculture sector. Huge Investments is needed to transform the agriculture for the overall development of the agriculture sector.

Nepal’s geography, topography, water resources and ample supply of labor give Nepal a comparative ad¬vantage in agricultural production. As the agriculture sector is the biggest contributor to GDP, the Government of Nepal is committed to uplift¬ing this sector. The government is currently focusing on the modernization, diversification, commercialization and marketing strategy of the agriculture products in the domestic and export as well.

Opportunities
• Opportunities exist in agriculture production; pro¬cessing, packaging and branding (non-timber forest products, cardamom, ginger, aquaculture, vegeta¬bles, floriculture, tea, coffee and honey) also offer many opportunities.

• The Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2016 focuses on the development of cardamom, ginger, honey, lentils, tea, noodles and medicinal herbs/essentials oil as priority export products. The Trade Policy 2015 reemphasizes the need to develop these products.

• There are good opportunities in input markets (such as for seeds, nurseries, fertilizers, agricultural infra¬structure and technology, and agriculture financing) and, due to favorable climatic conditions, the focus on high value organic crops is increasing.

4. Nepal’s Tourism
Nepal’s natural beauty in the mountains, important religious destinations, and unique cultural and archaeological heritages are high-potential treasures for tourism in Nepal. The Constitution of Nepal incorporates policies for developing tourism as a key driver of the national economy by developing these places and heritages as tourist destinations. Since tourism is making a significant contribution towards achieving the goal of economic prosperity by enhancing employment opportunities, reducing poverty, and improving people’s living standards, this sector can be seen an attractive sector for the foreign investment.

Tourist arrivals and the length of stay are likely to increase in view of the fact that Nepal can benefit from the world market, in particular from the large populations in neighboring countries. In fiscal year 2018/2019, tourist arrival was 1.197 million; the contribution of tourism in GDP was 2.7 per cent; 200,000 people got direct employment; average tourist spending USD 48 per day per person; and the average length of stay was 12.7 days.

The country of Nepal is unique on a number of levels, perhaps the most important being its sheer natural beauty. Home of the world’s highest mountain range and containing eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains, Nepal is a magnet for the world’s most avid mountaineers, rock climbers, trekkers, and adventure seekers. Owing to the immense vertical drop from its northern mountains to its southern plains, it is a hotspot for climatic and biological diversity. Naturally, its cultural array mirrors its geological and climatic varieties. Chitwan National Park, a World Heritage Site, whose elevation lies between 100 and 800 meters above sea level, lays claim to more than 500 species of birds, 50 mammals and 55 amphibians and reptiles. Sagarmatha National Park, whose lowest point is approximately 2,800 meters, is home to over 100 species of birds and provides universal scenic views of flora and fauna. Nepal’s biodiversity is not limited to land creatures. It is estimated that the country also has over 250 species of fishes in its vast river systems.

With the world’s highest mountain range, the Himala¬yas, and 8 of the 10 highest peaks in world, Nepal has long been popular among mountaineers, trekkers and adventure seekers. It also offers beautiful lakes, steep rivers and gorges, unique wildlife, historic monuments, impressive fine arts, significant religious sites and ex¬otic cultures attracting a wide array of travelers for a variety of reasons.

Nepal is also a destination for religious tourism and pil¬grimages. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, and Pashupatinath and other Hindu pilgrimage sites are the main attractions for people following Buddhism and Hinduism.

Opportunities
• There are opportunities in developing tourism infra¬structure (hotels, restaurants, roads, airports, etc).

• There is also great potential for expanding the market for meetings, international conferences and events (MICE).

• Plans to build new international airport is underway, which open new avenue for investment.

• The expansion of existing tourism products and in¬troduction of new and innovative products has the potential to attract different types of tourists and ex¬tend their average length of stay.

5. Nepal’s Information Communication Technology(ICT)
The Constitution of Nepal guarantees complete freedom of the press, freedom of speech and expression, and the right to communication and information as fundamental rights. It is, therefore, essential to make progress in terms of meeting the responsibility and obligation for making the communication and information technology sector, which also serves as a driver and catalyst of economic development, dignified, professional, capable, and strong. The SDGs have outlined goals to substantially increase access to the Internet affordable to all. Currently, 72 per cent of the total population in Nepal has access to television, 86 per cent of the population has access to radio and 65.9 per cent of the population has access to the Internet services, and digital literacy stands at 40 per cent. It is important to provide services to Nepali people consistent with global development and achievements in the use of information technology and communication. This should apply to all aspects of economic development. It is therefore essential to ensure good governance and develop information technology as an indispensable component of the economy by developing knowledge, skills, and capacity related to communication and information technology.

Nepal’s ICT sector is one of the fastest emerging sectors in the country, with huge potential for growth in the com¬ing years. All the services related to the ICT sector are open to foreign direct investment, except for media. For telecommunications, 80% foreign ownership is allowed.

The Government of Nepal has identified IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) as one of the five priorities potential ex¬port service sectors. The Trade Policy 2015 also reem¬phasizes the importance of developing this sector. IT has the potential to generate high growth and significant profits and is expected to be one of the most significant growth sectors in Nepal. The major telecommunications service providers in Nepal are Nepal Telecom and Ncell. This is a cross-cutting sector with an impact on all other sectors. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Nepal and has great potential for continued growth in the near future as well.

Opportunities
• Foreign BPO companies can tap into the young population and benefit from the cost advantages offered by the low wages and low es¬tablishment and operating costs. The time zone in Nepal is also favorable for companies looking to outsource from China.

• As there are only two major telecommunications companies (NTC and Ncell) dominating the sector, there is room for new firms to enter the market.

• There are unmet needs for the use of ICTs in govern¬mental agencies and the private sector.

• There are plans to develop High -tech Industrial Park and an IT Park (an area set aside by the government for software developers, IT-based businesses, IT service providers and investors in related fields).

6. Nepal’s Mines and Minerals

Nepal lies in the center of the 2,500 km Himalayan belt, which has favorable geography for various mines and minerals. With almost 83% of its territory in mountainous regions, Nepal is a developing country with vast natural resources including water, minerals, forests, and a myriad of agricultural products and medicinal and aromatic plans. Nepal has an abundance of minerals required for industry and construction, including the most abundant, limestone, coal, talc, red clay, granite, marble, coal, gold, and precious and semi-precious stones (tourmaline, aquamarine, ruby and sapphire). Similarly, Nepal is also endowed with other construction minerals including construction aggregates, sand, gravel, dimension stone, decorative stones, paving stones and roofing slates. As many as 63 minerals have been identified in Nepal. Now, 80 mines and quarries for 12 different minerals were in operation. Of these, 29 are limestone quarries and 6 are gem mines. Mines and mineral-based industries contributed around 2.4% to Nepal’s GDP.

The Department of Mines and Geology is engaged in the exploration, excavation and evaluation of mineral resources in Nepal. There is a large opportunity for the Chinese investors to explore this sector.

Opportunities
• In recent times, the western part of Nepal has wit¬nessed gas and oil seepage, confirming the pres¬ence of oil and natural gas in Nepal. About 10 pe¬troleum and natural gas exploration sites have been identified.

• Nepal has more than 20 million metric tons of ore reserves in more than 80 locations.

• Copper occurs in Nepal in more than 107 locations.

• Recent studies have shown that Nepal may have 2.5 billion metric tons of cement grade limestone.

• Nepal has an estimated 5 billion metric tons of do¬lomite and 180 million metric tons of high-grade magnetite.

7. Nepal’s Health and Education
Nepal’s new constitution recognizes health as a fundamental right. The state, as executor of the rights set out in the new constitution will determine how it will define and implement that right. As such, the development of the nation’s health care sector has to do a lot to cover the health facilities for achieving the health for all. However, the nation’s health policies have evolved and the government has acknowledged that it has the primary responsibility to control the spread of communicable diseases, to reduce infant mortality rates, and to control the occurrence of non-communicable diseases, and to manage unpredicted health disasters.

The development of any country identifies by its status on the health and education of its people. The government is com¬mitted to providing essential health care services to the population towards universal health coverage and is in the process of introducing a national social health insur¬ance scheme. It is also committed to enhancing and modernizing health infrastructures and enhancing and upgrading the capacity of doctors, nurs¬es, midwives, and health management and administra¬tion staff. It plans to engage in public-private partner¬ships to enhance the capacity of government hospitals. There is an opportunity for the investors to engage in the operation of new medical hospitals.

Opportunities
• Opportunities exists in developing education infra¬structure, including upgrading and building educa¬tional institutions and even education cities (medi¬cal, IT, engineering, management among others), for which the government is seeking to engage in public-private partnerships model (PPP).

• The government is also looking to develop health related in¬frastructures, including by modernizing and increas¬ing the capacity of health facilities and mobilizing privately-run hospitals by means of public-private partnerships.

• There are high opportunities for the investors to establish and operate the medicine manufacturing companies to meet the increasing demands of high-quality pharmaceutical products.

8. Nepal’s Manufacturing
The department of Industry and the company Register’s office are the main institutions/ organizations for the registration of the manufacturing and other companies in Nepal. The largest share of the registered companies is occupied by the manufacturing sector, followed by the service and tourism sectors. As the manufacturing sector represents a major portion of the industry in Nepal, the development of this sector is important to the government in terms of generating employment opportunities, promoting trade, enhancing national income growth, and alleviating poverty. There are many Chinese companies already engaged for the operation of the manufacturing industries and has registered a high profit. So, the manufacturing sector is also highly attractive for the Chinese investors.

9. Nepal’s Banking and Finance
The Nepal Rastra Bank is the central Bank of Nepal. The other deposits taking financial institutions include commercial banks, development banks, micro-credit development banks, finance companies, financial cooperatives, and non-government financial organizations which perform limited banking activities. Likewise, other contractual saving organizations (other financial institutions), are comprised of entities including insurance companies, employee provident funds, citizen investment trusts, postal savings offices, and Nepal Stock Exchange.

There is an urgent need to establish the Chinese commercial bank in Nepal to facilitate the cross-border e-commerce transactions for the smooth facilitation for the cross border bilateral trade and investment.

Conclusion
Nepal’s young, dynamic and well educated capable human capital, rising income standards of the people are some of the enablers for the Chinese investors in Nepal. Additionally, macroeconomic stability, dynamic free and open market economic policy, investors friendly legal, institutional and procedural arrangements, and as well as strong and stable economic growth potential, Nepal offers abundant business and investment opportunities for the Chinese investors in many diverse sectors. Energy, Tourism, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Information and Communication Technology, Health and Education, Financial Sector, Mines and Minerals are the National prioritized sectors for the foreign direct investment. In Nepal, foreign investors are allowed 100% ownership of a company in a majority of sectors, and repatriation of  company’s profits earnings and bonus are easily allowed. Mega-projects, especially in Construction Industries, Solar Energy generation/Hydropower construction and operation, Urban Infrastructure construction and operation under the public private partnership model, Information and Communication Technology, Tourism hospitality are the major sectors waiting for the Chinese investors. To conclude, I would like to request all the Chinese investors to earn more by making their investment in Nepal and to explore the full potentials of Nepal’s investment opportunities.

尼泊尔是外国投资特别是中国投资者的理想目的地。尼泊尔有着极具吸引力的投资政策、独特的战略位置优势以及丰富的自然资源和人力资源，它们为尼泊尔的营商机会提供了支持。我们国家的地形、富饶的自然资源和令人叹为观止的生物多样性，使其在水电、农业、芳香植物和药用植物研究方面拥有了巨大的未开发潜力。喜马拉雅山和丰富的文化遗产也为旅游业和酒店业创造了极为有利的机会。通过在尼泊尔投资，投资者可以享有在邻近地区以及整个南亚地区和全球范围内更大的市场准入。

特别是对中国企业来说，尼泊尔是一个非常有吸引力的投资目的地。在政治、经济和文化等各个领域的良好的双边关系是进一步加强两国经济联系和交流的坚实基础。建立在古代联系和现代需求基础上的堪称典范的、顺畅的政治和外交关系，也是扩大我们之间经济合作和关系的有力保障。中国是我们接受外国直接投资最多的国家，中国也是我们的第二大贸易伙伴和第二大旅游来源国。中国的大部分投资都集中在水电、旅游、基础设施和制造业等优先领域，帮助尼泊尔实质性地提高了生产能力。

尼中双边贸易也一直在稳定持续地增长。在过去的一年里，中国仍然是尼泊尔的第二大贸易伙伴，也是尼泊尔的第二大进口国。然而，不断增大的贸易赤字是双方都很关切的问题。尼泊尔驻华大使馆正在不懈努力，促进双边贸易和投资。但是，供应能力、确保原材料不间断供应的基础薄弱的衔接渠道、基础设施建设和实验室认证机制等领域的结构性制约因素仍然是扩大对中国出口的主要瓶颈。我很高兴地在这里告诉大家，在两国最近的高层领导人互访中，与此相关的许多问题已经得到了讨论，希望它们在不久的将来能够解决。

近年来，尼泊尔颁布了有利于营商的政策和法律，目的就是充分利用国家和平稳定的政治气氛所创造的机会。政府已经实施了2019年外国投资和技术转让法、2019年公私合作和外国投资法、2019年工业企业法和2019年经济特区法，以及其他更多的与投资相关的法律制度和文件，旨在为投资者提供便利化服务和加快其在尼泊尔的投资。现在，与邻近的其他南亚国家相比，尼泊尔在营商环境报告中的排名是令人满意的。

政府在一系列具体的经济部门都建立了强有力的监管框架并颁布了扶持政策。我们正在积极进行和加强机构改革。工业部设立了“一站式服务中心”，可以从单一窗口为投资者提供便利化的服务。同样，尼泊尔投资委员会在成立后也一直在积极努力，通过快速通道模式促进优先领域的外国投资。

另一方面，尼泊尔宏观经济条件相对稳定，有利于长期投资和经济增长。劳动法足够灵活，有助于经济增长和提高效率。工业企业法、公司法和其他与税收相关的法律法规也时常根据投资者的真实利益和合法要求进行审核。除少数行业外，几乎所有行业都对外国投资开放。

能源供应状况已经得到显著改善，公路、铁路和航空基础设施、工业园区和其他城市基础设施也正在根据国家联邦结构的需要快速拓展。尼泊尔的公司税率是其所在地区最低的。特殊行业、经营公路、桥梁、铁路、水电站、输电线路等的企业，在建设、经营、拥有和转让的基础上，可以享受20%的优惠税率。根据法律规定，外国投资应与尼泊尔的国内产业同等对待。外国投资者还可以成立只有一个人的公司。

作为投资者，你可以以股权投资、合资投资、租赁融资以及技术转让协议的形式成立新公司，并充分利用各种投资方式的机会。我们正在尼泊尔发展和增加必要的基础设施，这也能够为中国投资者提供良好的机会。总之，尼泊尔的投资前景从未像现在这样好。因此，我认为我们的中国朋友不应该错过在尼泊尔投资的良机。

我想呼吁所有的中国企业家和企业充分利用尼泊尔提供的这一绝无仅有的机会，从尼泊尔出现的新景象中寻求益处。虽然新冠疫情给我们两国都带来了许多挑战，但我相信，在不久的将来，我们将成功地战胜这一威胁。与此同时，重要的是重启我们的经济，使跨国经济交流和互动重新焕发活力。其中最重要的是，要保持我们两国加强经济合作和交往的势头。下面我想介绍一下中国投资者在尼泊尔可以利用的一些主要部门的机会

 
⬆ 尼泊尔博卡拉费瓦湖畔

中国投资者在尼泊尔的主要部门的投资机会

1.尼泊尔的水电
尼泊尔的能源部门被普遍认为是国家未来经济增长的关键，也是尼泊尔政府实现其发展目标的工具。除了制定发电、输电和配电的量化目标，还要优先考虑农村电气化，并促进电力的有效利用，尼泊尔政府还坚定承诺要进行部门改革和鼓励私营企业参与到这一部门中来。

尼泊尔水资源丰富，有多种水源，包括冰川、喜马拉雅山融雪、降雨和地下水。尼泊尔水电项目的理论发电能力约为80000 兆瓦，估计其中43000 兆瓦在经济上是可行的。水电是经济增长和经济转型的重要工具。虽然尼泊尔的电力发展历程始于1911年，但由于缺乏有效的投资政策协调（包括提供相关的财政激励措施）和建设能力差，因此与潜在产能相比，其发电量一直非常低。不过到2018-2019财年，水电网总容量已达到1128 兆瓦。78%的总人口能够接入电网。容量为66 千伏或以上的输电线路总长已扩大到3990电路公里。电力基础设施已经在总共635个地方得到开发。人均用电量是每小时245千瓦。泄漏率目前是15.3%，这需要逐步减少。水电行业正在吸引国内外直接投资。目前投资正在政府间、公共和私营合作关系下进行。公共投资被优先用于能源混合战略和尽可能增加发电量，以满足发展和电力服务的需求。

尼泊尔电力局拥有约68%的水力发电能力，并控制着整个输配电网络，是能源部门最重要的参与者。独立发电商（私营企业）拥有约32%的水力发电能力。

2016年2月，政府批准了“国家能源危机缓解和能源发展10年工作计划”，它为政策改革和举措提供了路线图，并激励私营行业投资。

机会
● 尼泊尔面临严重的电力短缺，因此水电部门有机会填补这一需求缺口。
● 尼泊尔的目标是到2024年能从最不发达国家的地位提升到发展中国家的地位，并力争到2030年成为中等收入国家。为了实现其增长愿望，尼泊尔需要增加6000多兆瓦的发电能力（需要大约100亿美元的投资）。因此，许多生产和基础设施项目都在筹备中，它们将带来巨大的机遇。
● 除了能源开发，配电系统（需要大约20亿美元的投资）和输电系统（需要大约44.5亿美元的投资）的升级和扩建也有投资机会。
● 与邻国签署的电力贸易协议为向邻国和该地区出口电力开辟了一个巨大的市场。

2.尼泊尔的运输
运输部门在加速尼泊尔的社会经济发展、促进贸易、商业和服务业以及保障公众畅通无阻的出行方面发挥着重要作用。只有通过发展管理良好的运输网络和系统，尼泊尔才能促进社会经济一体化和确保省级间的平衡。国家的总体发展要求在运输部门内部优先发展一些子部门。总之运输部门在实现长期愿景方面意义重大。

一直以来，作为经济增长和发展的驱动力，运输部门为水电、工业、通信、旅游、农业、卫生、教育和城乡发展等物质和社会基础设施作出了重大贡献。所以有必要确保对这一部门的发展进行投资，因为它与经济增长有着多维度的相互关系。而且，为了有效发展整个运输系统，投资、优先投资、安全运输服务、最低运输成本以及可持续的基础设施发展和系统维护都是必要的。综合运输系统对于方便、安全和高质量的运输服务至关重要，而运输服务又受到以公路网络、航空运输、跨境铁路、水路和其他运输方式的扩展为短期和长期愿景的指引。此外，在发展和管理运输基础设施时鼓励使用环保技术和可替代燃料对于这一部门的未来发展也是必要的。

交通为人员和货物的流动提供了便利，而且它的协同作用还有助于创造就业机会、商业机会和工业中心。尼泊尔的运输部门亟需发展，而它的地理位置赋予了它巨大的潜力，并为外国投资者提供了机会。由于尼泊尔的地形复杂，公路运输和航空是为数不多的几种运输方式中最受欢迎的。

尼泊尔的运输部门贡献了近9%的国内生产总值，并且以每年7%的速度增长。过去五年，它的平均增长率也是7%。

尼泊尔国家计划委员会确定了21个“国家骄傲项目”，它们将有助于国家的经济发展，其中10个项目属于交通基础设施部门。尼泊尔政府计划在特莱地区Bara的 Nijghad修建国际机场。对于中国投资者来说，该机场也是一个极具吸引力的投资项目。

机会
● 尼泊尔只有19%的道路是全天候道路，77个区中有2个区仍没有通公路。因此，在扩大公路网络方面有许多机会，因为政府正在寻求建立公私合作关系。
● 尼泊尔的主要公路都需要扩建，以适应交通量的增加，这是公私合作的另一个领域。
● 为了满足日益增长的人口需求，外国投资一直优先用于发展大众公共交通系统——快速公交、铁路、单轨列车和机场。为了给这些项目融资，政府正在考虑公私合作关系模式和外国直接投资。
● 连接中国边境的南北走廊（公路）、连接加德满都与中国的跨境铁路线、跨境铁路线、东西高速公路沿线的铁路线，以及缆车项目都是外国投资项目的优先考虑。

3.尼泊尔的农业
农业部门占国内生产总值的27%，关系到60.4%人口的生计，是经济繁荣的支柱。由于农业有助于实现高速和包容性的经济增长，因此需要用科学的方法加强以往对其进行改善和改造所做的努力，以提高产量和效率。

尼泊尔宪法保障食物权是人的一项基本权利。考虑到由于各种原因可能出现的粮食和营养危机，有必要对农业进行政策、结构和体制改革，从而实现主要主食、水果、蔬菜、鱼类和肉类产品生产的自力更生。因此，需要对农业进行大量投资，使尼泊尔成为粮食主权国家和独立经济体。这些权利已经载入尼泊尔宪法、体现农业部门总体发展路线图的农业发展战略（2015-2035年）和可持续发展目标，它们也一直被视为是农业部门的指导文件。农业发展战略强调农业和畜牧产品的商业化、机械化和多样化，目的是使该部门具有竞争力。同样，要将该部门的资源调动起来，以实现根据可持续发展目标制定的减少饥饿、确保粮食安全和营养以及促进可持续农业的目标。特别重要的一点，要在农业部门吸引外国投资来解决与创收、减贫和农业机械化有关的问题。为了农业部门的全面发展，需要巨大的投资对其进行改造。

尼泊尔的地理环境、地貌、水资源和充足的劳动力使尼泊尔在农业生产方面具有相对优势。由于农业部门是国内生产总值的最大贡献者，因此尼泊尔政府致力于大力发展这一部门。政府目前正重点关注国内消费和出口的农产品的现代化、多样化、商业化及其营销战略。

机会
● 农业生产方面存在机会，此外，加工、包装和品牌（非木材林产品、豆蔻干籽、生姜、水产养殖、蔬菜、花卉、茶叶、咖啡和蜂蜜）等也提供了许多机会。
● 2016年尼泊尔贸易政策和贸易一体化战略的重点都是发展豆蔻干籽、生姜、蜂蜜、扁豆、茶叶、面条和草药/精油的生产或种植，并将其作为优先出口产品。
● 农业投入领域（比如种子、苗圃、肥料、农业基础设施和技术以及农业融资）也有良好的机会，而且由于有利的气候条件，人们越来越关注高价值的有机作物。

4.尼泊尔的旅游业
尼泊尔山区的自然美景、重要的宗教目的地及其独有的文化和考古遗产都是尼泊尔旅游业极具潜力的财富。尼泊尔宪法里包含了相关的政策，通过将这些地方和遗产作为旅游目的地进行开发，使旅游业发展成为国民经济的关键驱动力。由于旅游业可以增加就业机会、减少贫困和提高人民生活水平，能够为实现经济繁荣的目标作出重大贡献，因此旅游业可以被视为对外国投资具有吸引力的一个部门。

考虑到尼泊尔可以受益于全球市场，特别是邻近国家的大量人口，游客人数和停留时间都可能会增加。在2018-2019财年，游客人数为119.7万人次，旅游业对国内生产总值的贡献是2.7%，它还为20万人提供了直接就业的机会。这些游客每人每天的平均消费是48美元，平均的旅游天数是12.7天。

尼泊尔在许多方面都是独具特色的，其中或许最主要的是它的自然美景。尼泊尔是世界上最高的山脉之乡，拥有世界十座最高山脉中的八座，吸引了世界上酷爱登山、攀岩、徒步旅行和冒险的人士。由于从北部山区到南部平原的垂直落差巨大，尼泊尔是气候和生物多样性的热点地区。因此很自然，它的文化也反映了它的地质和气候变化。奇旺国家公园是一个世界遗产保护地，它的海拔从100米到800米，拥有500多种鸟类、50种哺乳动物和55种两栖爬行动物。萨迦玛塔国家公园的最低点在海拔约2800米的地方，是100多种鸟类的家园，因此在那里可以鸟瞰植物群和动物群的全景。尼泊尔的生物多样性不仅限于陆地生物。据估计，在其广阔的河流系统中还有250多种鱼类。

尼泊尔拥有世界上最高的山脉——喜马拉雅山脉和世界上10座最高山峰中的8座，因此，长期以来它一直受到登山者、徒步旅行者和冒险者的青睐。它还有美丽的湖泊、落差很大的河流和峡谷、独特的野生动物、历史古迹、令人印象深刻的美术、重要的宗教遗址和异国文化，这些使众多的游客纷至沓来。

尼泊尔也是宗教旅游和朝圣的目的地。释迦牟尼的诞生地蓝毗尼、帕斯帕提纳神庙和其他印度教朝圣地是吸引佛教和印度教信徒的主要景点。

机会
● 发展旅游基础设施（酒店、餐厅、道路、机场等）是有机会的。
● 在会议、国际会议和活动的市场拓展方面也有巨大的潜力。
● 新建国际机场的计划正在进行中，这也是投资的一个新路径。
● 现有旅游产品的拓展以及新产品和创新产品的引入有可能吸引到更多不同类型的游客，并延长他们在尼泊尔的平均停留时间。

5.尼泊尔的信息通信技术
尼泊尔宪法保障公民新闻、言论和表达的绝对自由，并且将通信和信息权也作为其基本权利。因此，必须在满足新的需求和责任方面取得进展，使通信和信息技术部门变得强大和充满活力，因为它也是国家经济发展的驱动力和催化剂，可以支持其他部门与时俱进并保持强大的专业能力。可持续发展目标中规划了大幅度改善条件，使所有人都有能力使用互联网的目标。目前，72%的尼泊尔人有电视，86%的人有收音机，65.9%的人可以享受互联网服务，数字技术的普及率为40%。向尼泊尔人民提供与全球在信息技术和通信使用方面的发展和取得的成就相一致的服务是必不可少的，而且它也适用于经济发展的所有方面。因此，将通信和信息技术作为经济的一个不可或缺的组成部分，通过发展与其有关的知识、技能和能力来保障良好的治理环境并促进信息技术的不断更新极其重要。

尼泊尔的信息通信技术部门是其发展最快的新兴部门之一，而且未来仍具有巨大的增长潜力。除媒体外，与信息和通信技术部门有关的所有服务都向外国直接投资开放。对于电信，外国投资者可以拥有80%的所有权。

尼泊尔政府确定了五大优先出口的服务类别，信息技术和业务流程外包均位居其中。2015年的贸易政策还强调了发展这一部门的重要性。信息技术具有实现高增长和可观利润的潜力，预计它将成为尼泊尔增长最显著的行业之一。尼泊尔的主要电信服务提供商是尼泊尔电信和Nell。电信服务具有跨部门的功能，因此对所有其他部门都会产生影响。信息和通信技术部门是尼泊尔增长最快的部门之一，在不久的将来它还将表现出继续增长的巨大潜力。

机会
● 外国的业务流程外包公司可以利用尼泊尔的年轻人口，并从低工资和低设立与运营成本带来的成本优势中获益。尼泊尔所处的时区也有利于中国寻求外包的公司。
● 由于尼泊尔目前只有两大电信公司（尼泊尔电信和Ncell）主导该行业，因此新公司有很大的空间进入这一市场。
● 政府机构和私营部门使用信息和通迅技术的需求尚未得到满足。
● 政府有开发高科技工业园和信息技术产业园的计划（政府会为软件开发商、信息技术企业、信息技术服务提供商以及相关领域的投资者在产业园内留出区域）。

6.尼泊尔的矿产
尼泊尔位于海拔2500公里的喜马拉雅山脉带的中心，该地带具有适合各种矿产的有利地理条件。尼泊尔近83%的领土位于山区，是一个发展中国家，拥有丰富的自然资源，包括水、矿物、森林、多种农产品以及药用和芳香植物。尼泊尔有着大量的工业和建筑所需的矿物，包括最丰富的石灰石、煤炭、滑石粉、红粘土、花岗岩、大理石、煤炭、黄金以及宝石和半宝石（电气石、海蓝宝石、红宝石和蓝宝石）。此外，尼泊尔还有其他建筑矿物，包括建筑骨料、沙子、砾石、块石、装饰石、铺路石和屋顶石板。尼泊尔已查明的矿物多达63种。现在，80个拥有12种不同矿物的矿山和采石场在运营。其中，29个是石灰石采石场，6个是宝石矿。矿业和矿产产业对尼泊尔国内生产总值的贡献率约为2.4%。

矿产地质部负责尼泊尔矿产资源的勘探、挖掘和评估。有兴趣探索这一领域的中国投资者会有很大的机会。

机会
● 最近，尼泊尔西部出现了天然气和石油渗漏，这证实了尼泊尔存在石油和天然气。目前约10个石油和天然气勘探点已经得到确定。
● 尼泊尔在80多个地点拥有2000多万吨的矿石储量。
● 尼泊尔超过107个地方都有铜。
● 最近的研究表明，尼泊尔可能有25亿吨的水泥级石灰石。
● 尼泊尔估计有50亿吨的白云石和1.8亿吨的高级磁铁矿。

7.尼泊尔的卫生和教育
尼泊尔的新宪法承认健康是人的一项基本权利。国家作为新宪法规定的权利的执行者，将决定如何界定和落实这项权利。因此，国家卫生保健部门必须做大量的工作来保障卫生设施，以实现全民健康。国家的卫生政策正在逐渐形成，但是，政府承认，其主要责任是控制传染病的传播、降低婴儿死亡率、避免非传染病的发生以及管理不可预测的健康灾难。

任何国家的发展都取决于其人民的健康和教育状况。政府致力于向民众提供基本的医疗保健服务，实现全民健康覆盖，并正在推行一项国家层面的社会健康保险计划。政府还致力于改善卫生基础设施并使之现代化，同时提高和升级医生、护士、助产士以及卫生管理和行政人员的能力。政府计划以公私合作的形式提升政府医院的能力，因此投资者有机会参与新医院的运营。

机会
● 在发展教育基础设施方面存在着投资机遇，包括升级和建设教育机构，甚至教育城市（医疗、信息技术、工程、管理等），政府在这方面正在考虑采取公私合作的模式。
● 政府还希望发展与卫生相关的基础设施，包括使卫生设施现代化，从而增强其能力，以及通过公私合作的方式将私营医院充分调动起来。
● 投资者有很大的机会成立和运营药品制造公司，以满足人们日益增长的对高品质医疗用品的需求。

8.尼泊尔的制造业
工业部和公司注册办公室是尼泊尔制造业和其他公司办理注册的主要机构/组织。注册的公司中制造业占了最大的份额，其次是服务业和旅游业。由于制造业是尼泊尔工业的主要组成部分，因此，在政府看来，它的发展对于创造就业机会、促进贸易、增加国民收入和减轻贫困都至关重要。许多中国公司已经在尼泊尔从事制造业生产，并获得了丰厚的利润。这说明制造业对中国投资者是很有吸引力的。

9.尼泊尔的银行业和金融
尼泊尔拉斯特拉银行是尼泊尔的中央银行。其他处理存款业务的金融机构包括商业银行、开发银行、小额信贷开发银行、金融公司、金融合作社和从事有限银行业务的非政府金融组织。类似地，其他合同式储蓄组织（即其他金融机构）由包括保险公司、员工公积金、公民投资信托、邮政储蓄所和尼泊尔证券交易所在内的实体组成。

迫切需要在尼泊尔设立中国商业银行，为跨境电子商务交易提供便利，同时也确保跨境双边贸易和投资的顺利进行。

结语

尼泊尔拥有年轻、有活力、受过良好教育且很有能力的人力资本，人民收入水平也在不断提高，这些都有助于推动中国投资者在尼泊尔的投资。此外，尼泊尔宏观经济稳定，自由开放的市场经济政策充满活力，对投资者友好的法律、制度和程序安排，以及强劲稳定的经济增长潜力，为中国投资者在各种不同领域都提供了丰富的营商和投资机会。能源、旅游业、基础设施、农业、信息和通信技术、卫生和教育、金融部门、矿产和矿业是国家在对外直接投资方面优先考虑的领域。在尼泊尔的大多数部门，允许外国投资者100%拥有一家公司，并且公司的利润、收益和奖金均可非常方便地汇回国内。大型项目，尤其是建筑业、太阳能发电/水电建设和运营、公私合作模式下的城市基础设施建设和运营，信息和通信技术、旅游接待是期待中国投资者的主要领域。最后，我希望所有的中国投资者能够充分利用尼泊尔在投资方面的机会和潜力，通过在尼泊尔的投资赚取更多的收益。