Promote Digital Economy
Promote the leverage of Nepal’s digital economy and investment readiness.
Overview
This full-day Nepal-UK Tech Forum brings together public policy, diplomatic, business, and technology leaders from the United Kingdom and Nepal to advance cross-border innovation and tech investment. It highlights Nepal’s emergence as an appealing digital innovation hub, fostering strategic partnerships and unlocking new economic and technological opportunities between the two countries.
Objectives
01
02
Strengthen Collaboration
Strengthen UK–Nepal business collaboration through AI, cloud computing, sustainability, cybersecurity and data analytics, in various sectors including fintech, edtech, transportation, healthcare, accounting, business process outsourcing (BPO), etc
03
Foster Partnerships
Foster long-term public-private partnerships in the infotech sector.
04
Engage Diaspora
Engage diaspora entrepreneurs in shaping and investing in Nepal’s future digital ecosystem.
05
Enable Knowledge Sharing
Enable knowledge-sharing and bilateral innovation dialogues.
Expected Attendees
MPs and ambassadors representing both Nepal and the United Kingdom.
Government delegates from Nepal (MoCIT, IBN) and the UK (FCDO, DBT, BII).
UK-based private equity, venture capital, accelerators, incubators, and angel investors.
Technology leaders in Fintech, AI, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Edtech, Healthtech, Proptech, Insurtech, and Regtech.
Business platforms like the British Chamber of Commerce, BNCC-UK, BNS-UK, FNCCI-Nepal, CNI-Nepal, CAN Federation-Nepal, and NASIT-Nepal.
Representatives from universities and think tanks, fostering academic and research insights.
Diaspora-led startups and investors, leveraging global connections.
Key stakeholders and innovators from the broader tech and investment ecosystems.
Speakers
H.E. Mr. Chandra Kumar Ghimire
Ambassador of Nepal to the UK
Rob Fenn
British Ambassador to Nepal
Mr. Sushil Gyewali
CEO, Investment Board Nepal
Mr.Saroj Sapkota
FCCA CTA FCA
Mr. Anjani Phuyal
CEO, Genese Solution
Mr. Craig Somers
Vice President of Global IT & Information Security, Cloudfactory
Tim Gocher OBE
CEO and founder, Dolma Fund Management
Mr. Neelesh Man Singh Pradhan
Chief Executive Officer, NCHL
Ms. Alex Baker MP
Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group
Mr. Niranjan Kunwar
Global CTO & CISO at Genese SolutionPanel 1: Governing the Digital Future: Policy Perspectives on Infotech
Moderator: Mr. Nick Hinton, Chairman BNS, BNCT and BRANNGO
Nick Hinton
Chairman BNS, BNCT and BRANNGO
Mr. Ron Yip
Director General, DBT, the UK Government
Dr. Shaligram Parajuli
IT Expert Advisor to the MoCIT, GoN
Mr. Daniel Clarke
Policy Manager – International Policy & Trade, techUK
Ms. C Louise Thwaites
Associate Professor, Oxford University Clinical Research UnitPanel 2: Changing Landscapes of Digital Trade in Nepal-UK Relation: Success, Challenge & Way Forward
Mr. Jay Poudel
CTO, The Whisky Exchange
Ms. Asha Easton
Immersive Tech Network Lead
Mr. Niraj Shah
Vice President of Engineering Operations, BitsKraft Pvt. Ltd.
Ms. Elena Sinel FRSA
Founder CEO, Teens in AIPanel 3: FDI Prospects in Nepal-UK Digital Relations: Success, Challenge & Way Forward
Moderator: Ms. Pranu Singh, Director - Standard Chartered Bank UK
Ms. Pranu Singh
Director, Standard Chartered Bank, UK
Mr. Hem Raj Dhakal
Co-Founder & Managing Director IME Group Nepal
Dr. Richard Slater
Director at Tripleline
Lopa Patel MBE
Digital Founder, Chair & Non-Executive Director
Mr. Abhinav Sinha
Managing Director, British International InvestmentForum Agenda
10:00 – 10:25
Guest Arrival/ Registration/ Networking Tea & Coffee
10:25 - 10:30
Opening Remarks by Emcee
10:30 – 10:40
Inaugural Remarks – H.E. Mr. Chandra Kumar Ghimire, Ambassador of Nepal to the UK
10:40 – 10:50
Remarks – H.E. Mr. Rob Fenn, British Ambassador to Nepal
10:50 – 11:20
Keynote "Nepal as an FDI Destination for the UK-based Investors in Tech" – Mr. Sushil Gyawali, CEO, IBN/GoN
11:20 - 11:30
The Saga of Outsourcing Accounting Services with Infotech -Mr. Saroj Sapkota, CA, UK
11:30 - 11:45
Networking Tea & Coffee
11:45 – 12:05
A presentation on "Nepal–UK Tech Trade: Unlocking Bilateral Opportunities" - Mr. Anjani Phuyal, CEO, Genese Solution
12:05 - 12:15
The Story of “Engagement of Cloudfactory in Nepal: An Exciting Story” -Mr. Craig Somers, Vice President of Global IT & Information Security, Cloudfactory
12:15 - 13:00
Panel 1: Governing the Digital Future: Policy Perspectives on Infotech
Moderator: Mr. Nick Hinton, Chairman BNS, BNCT and BRANNGO Panel Speakers:
- Mr. Ron Yip, Director General, DBT, the UK Government
- Dr. Shaligram Parajuli, IT Expert Advisor to the MoCIT, GoN
- Mr. Daniel Clarke, Policy Manager – International Policy & Trade, techUK
- Ms. C Louise Thwaites, Associate Professor, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
14:00 - 14:30
AI & Technology: A Growth Driver for Nepal - Mr. Tim Gocher OBE DL, Founder and CEO of Dolma Impact Fund
14:30 – 15:30
Panel 2: Changing Landscapes of Digital Trade in Nepal-UK Relation: Success, Challenge & Way Forward
Moderator: Panel Speakers:
- Mr. Jay Paudel, CTO/Technical Director, The Whiskey Exchange, London
- Ms. Asha Easton, Immersive Tech Network Lead
- Mr. Niraj Shah, Vice President of Engineering, BitsKraft
- Ms Elena Sinel FRSA, Founder CEO, Teens in AI
15:30 – 16:30
Panel 3: FDI Prospects in Nepal-UK Digital Relations: Success, Challenge & Way Forward
Moderator: Ms. Pranu Singh, Director - Standard Chartered Bank UK Panel Speakers:
- Mr. Hem Raj Dhakal, Co-Founder & Managing Director IME Group Nepal
- Dr. Richard Slater, Director at Tripleline
- Ms. Lopa Patel MBE, Digital Entrepreneur, Chair, NED & Trustee
- Mr Abhinav Sinha, Managing Director and Head of Technologies, Telecoms and Sustainable Industrials at British International Investment (BII)
16:30 - 16:45
Networking Tea & Coffee
16:45 – 17:15
Fireside Chat: Diaspora & Digital Diplomacy – The Power of Global Nepalis
Moderator: Mr. Niranjan Kunwar, Global CTO & CISO at Genese Solution
- Mr. Suresh Manandhar, Professor in AI, Madan Bhandari University of Science & Technology
- Ms. Ruby Raut, CEO and co-founder of WUKA Wear
- Mr. Santosh Koirala, President-NASIT-Nepal, Director-Techkraft
17:15 – 17:30
Leapfrogging with Fintech: The Nepal Story - Mr. Neelesh Man Singh Pradhan, CEO at Nepal Clearing House Ltd. (NCHL)
17:30 - 17:35
Observations Sharing -Ms. Alex Baker MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Nepal, UK Parliament
17:35 – 17:45
Valedictory Session & Key Takeaways: By Dr. Kapil Rijal
17:45 – 17:55
Group Photo
17:55 – 18:55
Showcase in the Garden: Interactive Networking & One-on-One Meetings with Innovators
- IBN-Nepal
- Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL)
- Genese Solution Limited
- IMS Software Pvt. Ltd.
- Tech-UK
- BII
- BNCC
18:55 – 20:30
Networking Reception – Drinks and Canapés