Nepal India Chamber Vicepresident Gaurav Tayal Appointed
28th January 2026, Kathmandu
The Nepal India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) has officially appointed Gaurav Tayal, the Managing Director of Surya Nepal Private Limited, as its new Vice President. The decision was formalized during a high-level executive committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in Kathmandu. This appointment marks a significant transition in the chamber’s leadership, specifically filling the vacancy left by Ravi Rayavaram, the former Managing Director of Surya Nepal who recently moved to a new global role within the ITC group.
Nepal India Chamber Vicepresident
Tayal’s elevation to the Nepal India Chamber Vicepresident role is viewed by economic analysts and industry leaders as a strategic step toward deepening the economic synergy between the two neighboring nations. Given his extensive background in corporate management and his leadership of one of Nepal’s largest private-sector taxpayers, Tayal is expected to bring a fresh, results-oriented perspective to the binational chamber.
Leadership Transition and Institutional Continuity
The appointment of Gaurav Tayal ensures institutional continuity for NICCI. For decades, Surya Nepal—an Indo-Nepal-UK joint venture—has been a cornerstone member of the chamber. By appointing the company’s current Managing Director as the Nepal India Chamber Vicepresident, the executive committee has reinforced the long-standing partnership between Surya Nepal and the binational business community.
NICCI President Sunil KC formally welcomed Tayal, stating that his active involvement would inject “new energy” into the chamber’s future initiatives. The transition from Rayavaram to Tayal happened seamlessly, with the chamber expressing confidence that the leadership bridge between the two institutions remains stronger than ever.
Balanced Representation: The Two Pillars of NICCI
To maintain an equitable balance between the interests of Indian investors and the local Nepali business community, NICCI operates with a dual-vice-presidential structure. Gaurav Tayal fills the position reserved for the Indian joint venture (JV) sector.
The current leadership structure of NICCI includes:
President: Sunil KC
Vice President (Indian JV Sector): Gaurav Tayal
Vice President (Nepali Business Sector): Kunal Kayal
This balanced representation is crucial for NICCI’s mission to serve as a neutral and effective platform for cross-border trade facilitation, policy lobbying, and investment promotion. Kunal Kayal, who also serves as the Chairman of Sanima GIC Insurance, continues to represent the Nepali entrepreneurial side, ensuring that both perspectives are integrated into the chamber’s strategic decisions.
Gaurav Tayal’s Vision for Nepal India Economic Relations
As the newly appointed Nepal India Chamber Vicepresident, Tayal is expected to focus on several key areas of bilateral cooperation. His professional history suggests a strong emphasis on sustainable development and operational excellence. At a time when Nepal and India are discussing expanded energy trade and improved transit facilities, Tayal’s role will be pivotal in:
Trade Facilitation: Addressing non-tariff barriers and streamlining customs procedures for smoother cross-border movement of goods.
Investment Promotion: Encouraging more Indian multinational companies to view Nepal as a viable destination for joint ventures in manufacturing and hydropower.
Policy Advocacy: Working with both the Government of Nepal and the Government of India to create a more predictable and business-friendly regulatory environment.
CSR and Social Impact: Leveraging his experience with Surya Nepal’s extensive corporate social responsibility programs to encourage similar initiatives among other chamber members.
The Professional Profile of the New Vice President
Gaurav Tayal is a seasoned corporate executive with a reputation for collaborative leadership. Before taking the helm at Surya Nepal in late 2025, he held various senior management roles where he was responsible for strategic direction and stakeholder engagement. His leadership at Surya Nepal, a company that consistently ranks among the highest tax contributors to the Nepali government, gives him unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of the domestic industrial sector.
NICCI officials believe that Tayal’s expertise in managing large-scale, diversified business operations will be an asset to the chamber’s thematic committees, particularly those focusing on industry, service, and human resources.
Conclusion
The appointment of Gaurav Tayal as the Nepal India Chamber Vicepresident is a clear indication of NICCI’s commitment to high-level professional leadership. By integrating the head of one of the nation’s most successful joint ventures into its core team, the chamber is well-positioned to drive meaningful economic dialogue between Kathmandu and New Delhi. As 2082/83 progresses, the business community will look to Tayal and the NICCI executive committee to spearhead new initiatives that foster regional prosperity and sustainable trade.
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