Nepal did not receive any foreign investment commitments for medium and large-scale industries in between mid-October and mid-November. Although foreign investors made commitments for small-scale industries and projects, medium and large sectors saw no activity.
The Department of Industry (DOI) approved foreign investments for 23 small-scale projects during the review month. These approvals were granted in person at the department. Additionally, 36 small-scale projects were approved under the automatic route, which has been in effect since April 2024.
In total, 59 projects were registered in the review month through both regular and automatic routes. The DOI typically approves foreign investments ranging from Rs 20 million to Rs 6 billion, with most registrations falling under the small-scale category.
The first month (mid-July to mid-August) of the current fiscal year saw approvals for two large-scale projects, while there were no approvals for medium-scale projects. A total of 57 small-scale projects were approved during mid-July to mid-August.
Similarly, in mid-August to mid-September, there were no approvals for medium or large projects, though 38 small-scale projects were approved. In mid-September to mid-October, no large-scale projects received commitments, and only one medium-scale project was approved. That month, 33 small-scale projects secured investments.
During the first four months of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-November), the DOI approved foreign investments worth Rs 18.66 billion for 263 projects through both regular and automatic routes. Of this, Rs 1.62 billion was approved for 109 projects via the automatic route.
During mid-October and mid-November, investment commitments under the automatic route were primarily in the tourism, service, information and communication technology (ICT), and manufacturing sectors. Among these, 25 projects were in ICT, four each in manufacturing and tourism, and three in the service sector. The DOI approved foreign investments worth Rs 613.7 million in mid-October to mid-November through the automatic route.
