KATHMANDU, APRIL 19

American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal (AmCham Nepal) has concluded its "Washington Door Knock" mission, pitching Nepal as a potential hub for clean energy-powered digital infrastructure, including artificial intelligence, blockchain and data centres.

A delegation led by Ajit Bikram Shah, along with Samrath Mogha and Amir R. Thapa, held meetings with key US government agencies and private sector representatives, including the Department of State, Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, the US Trade and Development Agency and the US International Development Finance Corporation.

During the meetings, the delegation highlighted Nepal's hydropower potential and its capacity to support energy-intensive sectors such as AI computing, cloud services and crypto-related infrastructure. The discussions also focused on attracting long-term investment and strengthening Nepal's position in emerging global digital value chains.

A major outcome of the visit was the plan to organise a US–Nepal Energy Roadshow in partnership with the United States Energy Association, aimed at connecting Nepal's energy sector with international investors and technology firms.

AmCham Nepal said there was positive interest from US agencies in supporting feasibility studies and financing mechanisms for digital and energy infrastructure projects. Policy-level discussions also emphasised the need for regulatory stability, procurement reforms and investment-friendly frameworks in Nepal.

The delegation further held consultations with development partners including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on project structuring and private sector-led growth.

AmCham Nepal stated that Nepal could leverage its surplus clean energy to power domestic and regional digital economies, particularly with ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation transmission network.

The chamber has urged the government to reduce regulatory hurdles and introduce forward-looking policies to support emerging sectors, positioning Nepal as a competitive destination for global digital infrastructure investment.