UAE Keen to Invest in Nepalese Startups: High-Level Delegation Meets Ambassador Al Shamsi
13th August 2026, Kathmandu
The prospects of attracting foreign direct investment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) into startups and industrial development in Nepal are growing stronger.
UAE Keen Invest in Nepalese
A high-level delegation led by Shobha Gyawali, Chairperson of Startup Summit Nepal 2026, recently held a strategic meeting with His Excellency Abdulla Saeed Mubarak Jarwan Al Shamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Nepal, at the UAE Embassy.
Strengthening Bilateral Investment Opportunities
During the discussions, Ambassador Al Shamsi expressed strong optimism, stating that if Nepal creates a conducive business environment for new enterprises and industries, UAE investors can be readily attracted.
He noted that Nepal could emerge as an appealing destination for UAE investors by accurately identifying viable business ideas, innovative technologies, and investment-ready projects, and advancing them systematically.
Emphasizing key focus areas, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of orientation, skill development, and specialized training, particularly in information technology and tech-driven sectors.
He opined that producing skilled domestic human power, drawing youth toward technology-driven entrepreneurship, and nurturing high-potential projects would naturally expand investment avenues between the two nations.
Nepal and the UAE share long-standing ties across economic, labor, trade, and investment domains, with Ambassador Al Shamsi consistently advocating for expanding this bilateral partnership into vibrant new economic horizons.
Expanding Beyond Kathmandu: Grassroots and University Initiatives
Shedding light on domestic preparations, Startup Summit Nepal 2026 Chairperson Shobha Gyawali underscored that building a robust startup ecosystem requires equipping youth, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and insights from the ground up.
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Pointing out that Kathmandu-centric programs are insufficient for nationwide impact, Gyawali shared that the organizing team is rolling out awareness and capacity-building campaigns across all seven provinces and universities.
These sessions focus on core fundamentals, including startup concepts, business ideation, business plan drafting, funding sources, market management, technological application, and practical enterprise operation.
“In the first phase, we are conducting programs across various provinces and universities to provide comprehensive insights to students, youth, and potential entrepreneurs, starting with Tribhuvan University. Anyone wanting to launch a venture must acquire practical knowledge on how to transform an idea into a business, secure financing, and establish market presence,” Gyawali stated.
She further clarified that the ultimate objective of Startup Summit Nepal 2026 extends far beyond organizing a standalone conference; it aims to facilitate the entire entrepreneurial journey from initial thought to execution and funding.
“Our goal is not just to educate youth and send them back home. It is to convert potential ideas into projects, make those projects investment-ready, and ultimately connect them with domestic and international investors. Only then can this startup campaign yield tangible economic results,” she added.
Gyawali acknowledged that despite massive potential, several new businesses in Nepal struggle to gain expected momentum due to gaps in capital, technology, market access, skills, and strategic guidance. She stressed the vital need for a collaborative framework involving the government, private sector, academia, financial institutions, and international investors.
The delegation that met with the UAE Ambassador included Startup Summit Nepal 2026 Chairperson Shobha Gyawali, Keynote Speaker Er. Umesh Kumar Gupta, Director Basudev Neupane, and Director Narayan Prasad Oli. Startup Summit Nepal 2026 aims to scale its grassroots and university-level campaign into a comprehensive national and international investment summit.
For more: UAE Keen Invest in Nepalese
