Talking investment

That talking investment is essential for bringing all stakeholders of economy on the same page has been accepted by scholars and practitioners. That pragmatic deliberations on investment could be instrumental in initiating real time projects has been experienced over time in the context of Nepal. Viewed against this backdrop, the ongoing Nepal Investment Summit 2024 has promising optimistic dimensions for real players in the country’s economy. The message of the Summit could be summarized thus: there is fertile space in Nepal for private investors; an entrepreneur-friendly climate keeps the space safe; promising areas of clean energy, tourism, information communication technology, and innovative agro-based industries in three climatic regions – Himalayas, hills and valleys and the plain land Terai are ready for direct investment. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in his inaugural address promised macro-economic stability for investors while Finance Minister Pun assured open government cooperation for enabling investors in their Nepal-projects. Policy makers, experts and economists who are also participating in the Summit referred to the way the country has developed its investment-fitness in recent years. Because of all these assurances from officials concerned investors have been encouraged to sign agreements to implement real projects in future. The exercise would be very significant in view of the fact that the country is entering the phase of 16th five year plan in July. The investment which will flow as a result of the Summit in the near future will add to the prospects of creating jobs and productivity in the economy. The same would serve as a tool for tackling various economic problems that the country faces in her march towards graduating in 2026 to a developing country from the current status of the Least Developed Country (LDC). May the talk in the Summit open ways to invest in real action!