In an era marked by shifting global economic tides and digital disruption, the American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal (AmCham Nepal) is emerging as a catalyst for deeper bilateral cooperation and a champion for U.S. businesses in one of South Asia's most promising frontier markets. With over 60 American companies investing in sectors ranging from ICT and consumer goods to infrastructure and financial services, AmCham Nepal is not just facilitating investment-it is reshaping Nepal's economic story.
These American investments are not short-term capital infusions. They are long-term commitments to Nepal's inclusive development-fostering skilled employment, transferring technology, and injecting global business standards into the local market. Collectively, AmCham companies have created approximately 30,000 direct jobs and nearly 100,000 indirect jobs. One such example is Pathao Nepal, a mobility and digital service platform driven by innovation and American partnership.
Legacy and Leadership: Trust in the American Brand
The American private sector has a long-standing history in Nepal. Coca-Cola, with a presence of over 50 years, and MetLife, operating in Nepal for 25 years, are more than corporate names-they are institutional pillars of Nepal's development. These companies have shown resilience through political instability, natural disasters, and economic fluctuations, proving that U.S. firms don't just invest-they embed.
This legacy is now converging with the future. AmCham Nepal serves as a bridge between American investors and the Government of Nepal, working to ensure policy clarity, protect business interests, and eliminate trade and investment barriers. Our mission is rooted in commercial diplomacy-promoting a transparent, secure, and business-friendly environment that benefits both nations.
From Kathmandu to Washington: Elevating Nepal's Voice
Earlier this year, AmCham's delegation-led by Founding Chair Ajit Bikram Shah, Mogha Energy CEO Samrath Mogha, and myself-held strategic dialogues in Washington, D.C. with key U.S. institutions including the State Department, Department of Commerce, Treasury, the World Bank, and the National Security Council. These meetings positioned AmCham Nepal as a credible voice advancing the U.S. economic agenda in South Asia while amplifying Nepal's potential within U.S. policymaking corridors.
Our message was simple: Nepal is ready, and American businesses are already proving it.
Tech-Led Growth: Nepal's Digital Moment
Some of the most exciting stories in Nepal's economic transformation are led by AmCham members in the ICT sector:
Cedar Gate Technologies employs over 800 professionals in Nepal, developing next-gen healthcare analytics for U.S. clients. Their commitment to "value revolution" proves that Nepal is capable of exporting high-value digital services globally.
K&A Engineering, managing critical U.S. electric transmission projects from its Kathmandu office, has grown from four employees to over 150 engineers. When U.S. Ambassador Dean Thompson visited their facility, he witnessed firsthand how Nepal's talent is powering America's infrastructure.
SecurityPal, led by visionary CEO Pukar Hamal, is redefining Nepal's global image. Supporting global firms like OpenAI and Snap Inc., Pukar's 200-person team exemplifies the rise of "Silicon Peak"-his vision of Nepal as Asia's next tech powerhouse.
These companies are not anomalies-they are indicators. Today, nearly 80% of Nepal's ICT service exports are tied to U.S. clients, underscoring both the demand for Nepalese expertise and the trust American firms place in Nepal's workforce. In a sense, we are in our own Kentucky Derby, and the ICT horse is in full stride. Now is the time to bet big.
Enabling Ecosystem: Global Alignment and Opportunity
Development partners such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and European Union have begun aligning their programming to support Nepal's digital transformation. The Government of Nepal itself has adopted a national vision for a "Digital Decade," aiming to create 1 million digital jobs and reach $1 billion in ICT exports by 2027. AmCham Nepal is proud to be a strategic partner in realizing this vision.
Our members-Fusemachines, WorldLink, Incessant Rain Studios, Flex Techs, Neoteric Nepal, and Leapfrog-are already investing in that future. Together, we are not just imagining a digital Nepal-we are building it.
A Call to Action: U.S.-Nepal Synergy Starts Now
AmCham Nepal was born in the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic but built on a foundation of integrity, collaboration, and optimism. With strong support from the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu and global recognition through accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and AmCham Asia-Pacific, AmCham is positioned to unlock trade barriers and advance mutually beneficial policy reforms.
As U.S.-Nepal diplomatic ties celebrate 78 years, the time is ripe to elevate our economic relationship to the next level. The U.S. is already Nepal's largest trading partner and its most trusted digital ally. Now, we must deepen that trust through investment facilitation, joint ventures, infrastructure cooperation, and technology transfer.
To U.S. policymakers, we say: American businesses are already building a better Nepal. Let's expand their runway.
To the Government of Nepal: A digitally enabled economy is your future-and U.S. partners are ready to walk that path with you.
To aspiring entrepreneurs and digital dreamers: Nepal is no longer just the land of mountains-it's the land of possibility.
As Pukar Hamal puts it:
"The world is beginning to see Nepal not just as a land of mountains but as a rising tech powerhouse. The only question is-will you be part of the story?"
The transformation is real. The opportunity is now.
Thapa is the General Manager of the American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal
