8th June 2025, Kathmandu
The Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation) successfully hosted a crucial session on Friday, June 6, 2025, titled Nepal Budget 2082/83: ICT Industry Feedback and Multistakeholder Insights.
ICT Leaders Provide Key Feedback
The event, held at the CAN Federation Secretariat in Khusibu Nayabazzar, brought together leading figures and experts from Nepal’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector to meticulously review and provide recommendations on the recently announced national budget for fiscal year 2082/83.
The primary objective of the session was to gather constructive insights and policy recommendations from the ICT community, which will be compiled and submitted to relevant government agencies. This initiative aims to directly influence future ICT policies and ensure effective budget implementation, fostering a more robust digital economy in Nepal.
Key Contributions and Sectoral Focus:
The program was chaired by Sunaina Ghimire Pandey, President of the CAN Federation, who initiated the discussions with a comprehensive presentation on Nepal’s ICT Budget 2082/83, highlighting both existing opportunities and areas requiring improvement.
Vivek S. Rana, Advisor to npCert, underscored critical issues facing Nepal’s IT industry, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity development, the adoption of “software-first” policies, and stronger ICT governance.
The session’s effective coordination was led by Chiranjibi Adhikari, Senior Vice President of CAN Federation and CEO of One Cover Private Limited. A renowned cybersecurity policy expert, Adhikari stressed the vital importance of public-private collaboration for successful ICT budget execution and the establishment of a foundational ICT ecosystem in Nepal.
Discussions also delved into specialized areas within the ICT landscape:
Fintech and Cybersecurity: FinTech Expert Ganesh Ghimire addressed the growing concern of cyber threats in the financial sector, advocating for increased digital literacy to build a resilient digital economy.
AI Policy and Incident Response: Advocate Dikshya Raut, Board Member of Information Security Response Team Nepal (npCert), offered valuable perspectives on the evolving AI policy landscape and the essential role of robust incident response mechanisms and dedicated cybersecurity budgeting.
Startup Ecosystem and Local Software Development: Dinesh Raj Karki, Central Executive Member and Chair of the Startup and Innovation Committee, emphasized the critical need for a dedicated startup policy encompassing mentorship, accessible funding, and supportive regulatory frameworks to nurture Nepal’s burgeoning tech startup ecosystem. Additionally, the CEO of Webbank Nepal advocated strongly for prioritizing Nepali software development, urging a national vision focused on “Made in Nepal” tech solutions.
Data Center and Cloud Services: Pradeep Lamichhane, a prominent data center expert, highlighted the necessity for budget discussions to move beyond superficial topics and instead prioritize substantial infrastructure development, particularly for data centers and cloud services. He stressed the importance of realistic budget allocation aligning with Nepal’s ambitious digital growth goals.
The “Nepal Budget 2082/83 ICT Industry Feedback” session served as a crucial platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, generating meaningful recommendations aimed at strengthening Nepal’s ICT ecosystem. The CAN Federation will now compile these comprehensive insights from sector leaders and experts into a consolidated report, which will be presented to government stakeholders. This strategic initiative seeks to ensure that Nepal’s ICT policies are inclusive, practical, and geared towards sustainable growth and innovation.
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