CAN Federation Advocates For Strategic Software Procurement Guidelines and Dedicated ME&RD Unit in Nepal
6th July 2026, Kathmandu
The Computer Association of Nepal Federation (CAN Federation) recently organized a high-level policy interaction titled “Centralized Software Development vs. Open Market: The Future of Nepali Technology and Employment.”
CAN Federation Strategic Software Procurement
Hosted by the CAN Federation Software and Service Committee in collaboration with the Presidential Graduate School at Thapagaon, Kathmandu, the event convened key IT entrepreneurs, software developers, policymakers, academicians, and startup founders to map out the future of Nepal’s digital economy.
During the interaction, CAN Federation Acting President Chiranjibi Adhikari presented a comprehensive Software Development Framework aimed at transitioning Nepal from a consumer of foreign tech to a self-reliant digital ecosystem.
The Core Debate: Government Competition vs. Ecosystem Enablement
A primary theme of the discussion was how the government should interact with the private tech sector. Industry stakeholders emphasized that government bodies should avoid competing directly with private enterprises in software development. Instead, the state’s ideal role is that of a facilitator, regulator, and enabler.
The delegation urged the government to focus on:
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Strengthening cybersecurity standards
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Building robust shared digital infrastructure
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Formulating transparent procurement systems
Furthermore, attendees argued that public spending on technology should not be viewed merely as an operational expense. Instead, it must be treated as a strategic investment to boost local IT capacity, generate high-skill employment, and drive software exports.
CAN Federation Acting President Outlines New Software Development Framework
Presenting a strategic vision paper, CAN Federation Acting President Chiranjibi Adhikari stressed that strong public-private partnerships are crucial to cementing Nepal’s digital economy. He noted that the domestic software ecosystem requires immediate, structured policy intervention.
“For the sustainable growth of the Nepali software industry, we must immediately implement policy mechanisms like explicit Software Procurement Guidelines, tailored Software Product Financing, and substantial Tax Rebates for software startups.” Chiranjibi Adhikari, Acting President, CAN Federation
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The proposed framework aims to make “Made in Nepal” tech solutions globally competitive by integrating Innovation, Research & Development (R&D), and rigid cybersecurity baselines under an overarching IT Umbrella Act.
Preventing Budget Duplication: The Demand for an ME&RD Unit
To ensure the quality, accountability, and security of public digital services, CAN Federation has formally requested the establishment of a dedicated Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Development (ME&RD) unit.
According to leadership, this unit would serve several vital national interests:
Data Sovereignty: Protecting national data assets and maintaining strict control over digital infrastructure.
Reducing Import Reliance: Minimizing the country’s dependence on foreign proprietary systems.
Optimizing Public Expenditure: Preventing budget duplication caused by multiple government agencies developing identical or overlapping software packages independently.
Commitment to Nepal’s Digital Future
The sentiment across the federation remains highly collaborative. Sheela Karki Kansakar, Chairperson of the CAN Federation Software Committee, highlighted that establishing an institutional mechanism like the ME&RD department would prove to be a milestone for domestic tech governance.
Similarly, Kamal Pathak, Deputy Chairperson of the committee, reiterated that building a secure, self-reliant ecosystem is the only way to safeguard the future of local tech employment.
Concluding the session, CAN Federation General Secretary Chandra Bilas Bhurtel stated that the federation remains fully committed to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to bring the grand vision of a “Digital Nepal” to fruition.
Industry Representation
The event saw active participation from prominent ICT figures, including CAN Federation Vice President Navin Joshi, Former President Biplav Man Singh, and Treasurer Bikram Singh. A diverse cohort of leading Nepali tech companies and software houses also joined the dialogue, including: One Cover Pvt. Ltd.; Ramlaxman Innovations; Mavorion Systems; Mandala System; Professional Computer System; Octacore Solutions; Source Code & Delight Solutions (among others).
