Kathmandu · 26 November 2026 · By invitation and registration
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UK–Nepal Business Forum 2026

Building Stronger Partnerships, Creating Shared Prosperity

26 November 2026 Kathmandu Marriott Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal

Organised by NBCCI in joint partnership with the British Embassy Kathmandu.

About
Speaker delivering opening remarks at the UK–Nepal Business Forum

A serious conversation, designed to travel beyond the room.

The UK–Nepal Business Forum 2026 is the flagship bilateral platform for advancing trade, investment and strategic partnerships between the United Kingdom and Nepal. It brings together senior government representatives, business leaders, investors, academics and development partners to strengthen economic cooperation and unlock opportunities for collaboration.

The Forum is designed as annual bilateral engagement aligned with the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy, creating business-to-business connections, commercial outcomes and a practical pathway for UK expertise and investment to support Nepal’s economic growth.

One DayFor honest exchange, useful introductions and decisions with a next step.
Two NationsA shared platform for the UK and Nepal's public and private sectors.
Strategic Pillars

Four places where partnership can become progress.

The day is organised around the opportunities that will define the relationship over the next decade. Each room is built for a different kind of useful conversation.

01

Trade, investment & partnership

Trade, FDI, market access, entrepreneurship and business partnerships.

02

Education, research & future skills

Transnational education, research, innovation and workforce development.

03

Energy, infrastructure & green growth

Clean energy, green hydrogen, battery energy storage systems, engineering and sustainable infrastructure.

04

Digital economy, AI & innovation

Digital transformation, AI, GovTech, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

Delegates

A delegate ecosystem with the range to make things happen.

This is not a spectator event. It is a carefully composed room of people who can open a door, underwrite an idea, shape a policy or build a partnership.

  • Government of Nepal, UK Government, regulatory agencies, diplomatic missions and the British Embassy Kathmandu.

  • UK and Nepali companies, industry leaders, SMEs and entrepreneurs.

  • Investment funds, banks and development finance institutions.

  • Universities, research institutions and future skills partners.

  • Development organisations, chambers and industry associations.

  • Technology companies, start-ups and innovation partners.

  • National and international media sharing the story of the partnership.

  • The Nepali diaspora contributing experience, networks and capital.

Group 01 / 08

Government & diplomacy

Government of Nepal, UK Government, regulatory agencies, diplomatic missions and the British Embassy Kathmandu.

Program Schedule

A considered sequence from high-level context to practical working sessions, then the conversations that turn good ideas into shared commitments.

Registration & Networking

Welcome delegates, facilitate registration and provide an opportunity for early networking among participants.

Opening Ceremony
Driving Innovation, Investment and Sustainable Growth


Officially inaugurate the Forum, articulate the shared vision for strengthening bilateral trade, investment and strategic partnerships, and reaffirm the commitment of both governments and the private sector.

Hon'ble Finance Minister: Dr. Swarni Wagle
Dr. Roshan Rathi President NBCCI
HMA Rob Fenn British Ambassador
Dr. Renu Raj
Mr. Bipin Dawadi
Ms. Jaya Charoria
Mr. Anup Shrestha, Head of Department for Business and Trade: British Embassy Nepal

Panel Discussion I
Strengthening UK–Nepal Economic Partnerships: Advancing Trade, Investment and Private Sector Growth


To explore how UK-Nepal expertise and investment partnerships can unlock new opportunities for trade, strengthen private sector competitiveness attract sustainable investment, and drive long-term economic growth in both countries

Moderator
Dr. Nicholas Gribit, First Secretary, Trade: DBIST South Asia
Panel Members
1. Ms. Yanki Ukyab, CEO: Investment Board of Nepal
2. Mr. Bradley Poku, Senior Business Origination Officer-Asia Pacific and South Asia: UK Export Finance
3. Mr. Steve Buckley, CEO: BNCC
4. Mr. Manoj Paudel, Co-Founder and Chairman: Aadhyanta Fund Management Limited

Panel Discussion II
Building Global Talent: Strengthening UK–Nepal Partnerships in Transnational Education, Research and Future Skills


To explore how enhanced UK-Nepal collaboration in education, research, and science can develop globally competitive talent, foster innovation , promote talent mobility, and support long-term economic growth and business partnerships.

Moderator
Mr. Rustom Mody, Country Director: British Council Nepal
Panel Members
1. Mr. Sulav Budhathoki, Chairman: Innovate Nepal Group
2. Dr. Kedar Acharya, Senior Directior: UGC Nepal
3. Ms. Reesha Alvi, Senior Consultant Transnational Education: The British Council
4. Mr. Shiva Kumar Sapkota, Joint Secretary: Ministry of Education and Sports

Networking Lunch

Panel Discussion III
Powering Nepal's Energy Future: Applying UK Science, AI and Innovation


To examine how UK expertise in science, AI, and smart infrastructure can help accelerate Nepal's energy transfromation through grid modernisation, digitalisation, climate resilience, and innovative energy solutions.

Moderator
Mr. Bipin Basnet, Country Lead: ASI Nepal
Panel Members
1. Mr. Dirghayu Kumar Shresth, Managing Director: Nepal Electricity Authority
2. Mr. Pratik Man Singh Pradhan, Vice President: Butwal Power Company
3. Mr. Kieron Hanson, Director: Hydroplan Gropu UK
4. Mr. Peter Thompson, Director and East Asia Energy Business Leader: Arup UK
5. Ms. Abhigya Malla, Secretary: IPPAN

Panel Discussion IV
Accelerating Nepal's Digital Economy: AI, Digital Governance and Technology Partnerships with the UK


To examine how UK expertise and partnerships in AI, digital technologies, and innovation can support Nepal's digital economy ambitions while creating opportunities for bilateral trade, investment, and private sector growth.

Moderator
Ms. Zanga Sadiq, Strategy and Project Delivery Lead: DAI Global UK
Panel Members
1. Mr. Bibhusan Bist, Vice President: NASIT
2. Dr. Roshan Pokharel, country Manager & Director/Head of AI/Engineerig: Cloud Factory Limited
3. Ms. Radhika Bist, CEO: Eminence Ways Pvt. Ltd
4. Dr. Suresh Manandhar, CEO and Chief Scientist: Wiseyak Solutions Pvt. Ltd

Networking Break

Closing Session
Reflections, Strategic Outcomes & Way Forward


Officially inaugurate the Forum, articulate the shared vision for strengthening bilateral trade, investment and strategic partnerships, and reaffirm the commitment of both governments and the private sector.

Hon'ble Foreign Minister: Mr. Shisir Khanal
Rajendra Khetan: President Emiratus and Immediate Past President
Bidhyabaradi Sigdel

Cocktail Dinner

An evening of networking, refreshments, and dinner to celebrate connections and shared opportunities.

Outcomes

What the Forum aims to deliver

The Forum is designed to create visible momentum: stronger dialogue, useful introductions, new institutional collaborations and a follow-up mechanism that carries progress beyond the day.

01

Strategic

Stronger UK–Nepal bilateral trade and investment dialogue, and deeper public-private collaboration.

02

Business

New trade and investment leads, B2B partnerships and stronger market linkages.

03

Institutional

New collaborations across government, academia, industry and development partners.

04

Legacy

A pipeline for future trade missions and sector initiatives, with a follow-up mechanism to track progress after the Forum.

Partnership

Convened with trust. Built for the next chapter.

Organised by the Nepal Britain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NBCCI), in joint partnership with the British Embassy Kathmandu.

Our convening partners
British Embassy Kathmandu

Supporting a modern, productive and ambitious bilateral relationship.

NBCCI

Connecting businesses and strengthening UK–Nepal commercial ties.

Talk to the forum team ↗
Venue

Kathmandu Marriott Hotel

The Forum will be hosted at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel, Nepal — a central, easy-to-reach venue for delegates travelling from across Kathmandu and abroad.

Kathmandu Marriott Hotel Naxal, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Get directions
Contact

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.

Send us a note if you have questions about the forum or partnership.

Delegate Reservations (For Room Booking):
Kathmandu Marriott Hotel
Hema Shreepali
+977-9801827632 || hema.shreepali@marriott.com
Moxy Hotel Kathmandu
Dipsa Shahi
+977-9707093309 || dipsa.shahi@moxyhotels.com

British Embassy Kathmandu logo British Embassy Kathmandu
NBCCI logo NBCCI
Kathmandu, Nepal