Nepal Investment Summit: Govt seeking letters of intent for 20 projects

KATHMANDU: The government has planned to call for letters of intent for 20 projects, primarily hydropower projects, at the third Investment Summit. The two-day summit has begun in the federal capital today.

Letters of intent are being sought from both domestic and foreign investors for projects that have been identified and for which feasibility studies have been completed.

One such project is the Dhulikhel Medicity Project. The proposal for this project, which involves the construction of a super special hospital in Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchok, has been prepared. The government plans to construct this hospital as part of its efforts to develop a medical tourism hub. The project is estimated to cost Rs 11 billion.

Similarly, the Sudurpashchim Public Transport Project is another project for which a letter of intent is being sought. This project aims to improve public transportation in the Kailali, Kanchanpur, and Doti districts of Sudurpashchim Province. The project proposal includes the procurement of 173 buses, including 104 electric vehicles (EVs), at an estimated cost of Rs 31.13 billion over a three-year term.

The Naumure Multi-Purpose Project, with an estimated cost of Rs 92 billion, is also on the list. According to the proposal, the project will generate a total of 281.04MW of electricity.

The Khimti Those Shivalaya Reservoir-based Hydropower project is proposed to be located at the border of the Dolakha and Ramechhap districts. It is the largest hydropower project with an estimated cost of Rs 289 billion.

The Humla Karnali Hydropower Project, a 61.2 MW project, will be located in the Namkha Rural Municipality of the Humla district. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 14.70 billion.

The Upper Chameliya Hydropower Project, with a capacity of 53.85 MW, is estimated to require an investment of Rs 11.90 billion.

The Panchkhal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Panchkhal Municipality aims to create jobs by promoting economic activities. The estimated cost of this undertaking is Rs 1.57 billion.

The Kabadikhola Hydropower Project, to be located in a mountainous area on the border of the Bajura and Humla districts, is proposed to be operated on a BOOT model. It requires an investment of Rs 6.41 billion. The feasibility study for the project was completed in 2020.

Another hydropower project, Kaligandaki-II, is to be located in the Tanahu, Palpa, Nawalpur, and Syangja districts. This reservoir-based hydropower project is estimated to require a total investment of Rs 174 billion.

A 377MW hydropower project, the Bharbung Reservoir-based Hydropower Project, is listed among the projects the government is showcasing for letters of intent at the two-day event.

Other hydropower projects include the Tom Dogar Budhugandaki Hydropower Project, located in Chumnubri of Gorkha, and the Super Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, located in Gorkha.

In addition to the hydropower projects, the government is also showcasing other projects to solicit concept papers. These include the Pokhara International Convention Centre and Exhibition Centre, Daiji Industrial Zone, Babarmahal Administrative Plaza, Mahadev Stream Reservoir focused on climate actions, Karnali-Chisapani Wind Energy Project, Chandragiri-Chitwan Expressway, Janaki Heritage Hotel and Cultural Village, and the Dhaubadi Iron Mine and Excavation Project.