17th July 2025, Kathmandu
In a significant move to acknowledge and boost the private sector’s pivotal role in national development, the Government of Nepal has bestowed the prestigious Commercially Important Person (CIP) recognition upon 30 leading business firms and institutions.
Nepal Honors 30 Business Leaders
The awards, presented on Wednesday in Kathmandu, celebrate their substantial contributions to Nepal’s trade and economic growth.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, in collaboration with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), organized the award ceremony.
Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, presented the accolades, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering a robust partnership with the private sector.
Of the 30 honorees, 21 are individual business firms and companies, while 9 are prominent representative institutions from the private sector, recognized with honorary CIP status.
Key Institutional Honorees & Export Achievements
Among the distinguished institutional honorees for their efforts in export promotion and significant contributions to Nepal’s commercial sector and economic growth were:
Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of FNCCI
Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce
Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, Former President of Confederation of Nepalese Industries
Other key organizations receiving honorary CIP awards include:
Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN)
Federation of Export Entrepreneurs Nepal
Nepal Chhurpi Business Association, Jhapa
Nepal Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association
Nepal Garment Association
Nepal Woolen Felt Producers and Exporters Association
These institutions were lauded for achieving remarkable exports exceeding NPR 5 billion to third countries during fiscal years 2079/80 and 2080/81.
Top Exporters by Product and Country
CIP recognition was also extended to individual firms demonstrating exceptional performance in specific product exports to third countries:
Third Eye International – Woolen Carpets
Nepal Fashion Pvt. Ltd. – Ready-made Garments
National Exporters Pvt. Ltd. – Woolen Felt Products
Manram Himalayan Handicrafts Pvt. Ltd. – Chhurpi
Tricot Industries – Pashmina Products
Firms making significant strides in exports to neighboring India and China were also recognized:
Dabur Nepal Pvt. Ltd.
Aarti Strips
Reliance Spinning Mills Ltd. (for India)
Chomen Traders
Finjo Sonam Enterprises
Ashtamangal Kathmandu (for China)
In the handicraft sector, Gift Land Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. was honored for generating the highest export revenue from goods showcasing Nepal’s rich indigenous skills, arts, and culture.
From the priority export categories, Nepal Everest Cardamom Production, Jhapa, was recognized for agricultural products, and AB Herbal Traders & Suppliers, Darchula, for medicinal herbs.
Janakpur Refineries, Kathmandu, received the CIP award in the women exporter category for achieving the highest export volume.
Other notable awardees for achieving over NPR 1 billion in exports to third countries in the past two fiscal years include:
The Shangrila Carpet & Handicraft
Everest Fashion
Triveni Spinning Mills Ltd.
In the burgeoning startup sector, Mindful Craft Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, was honored with the CIP recognition.
Leading Foreign Exchange Earners
The awards also acknowledged top foreign exchange earners, crucial for Nepal’s economic stability:
IME Limited was recognized for bringing in the highest amount of foreign currency through remittances via banking channels.
In the tourism sector, Everest Hospitality Hotel Ltd. received an award for earning the highest amount of foreign currency.
Dignitaries Emphasize Public-Private Partnership
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Damodar Bhandari highlighted the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening cooperation with the private sector to achieve national prosperity. He stressed that such recognitions boost entrepreneur morale and encourage greater involvement in export promotion, particularly as Nepal prepares for LDC graduation by 2026.
“This recognition is not just symbolic. We aim to sincerely honor the private sector. Without uplifting the morale of private enterprises, economic development and prosperity are not possible,” Minister Bhandari stated.
FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal expressed optimism about Nepal’s economic potential, projecting an increase in annual exports to NPR 1 trillion and foreign direct investment (FDI) from the current 0.2% of GDP to 10% within a few years. He commended the government’s support, citing improvements in investment laws and bilateral agreements.
Dhakal further proposed designating a fixed date every two years to celebrate “CIP Day,” making it a national tradition. He concluded by asserting that with these policy improvements and recognition, the private sector is poised to play a transformative role in shaping Nepal’s economic future.
For more: Nepal Honors 30 Business Leaders