How Private Equity and Venture Capital Are Transforming Business Growth in Nepal

Mr. Ambika Prasad Paudel is a renowned entrepreneur and financial expert with over 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors. He has been actively involved in capital markets, hospitality, financial and other diversified sectors. Currently, Mr. Paudel is the Chairman of Hilife Foods Limited and Kanjirowa National Secondary School. He is also the Chairman of the Tax and Revenue Forum at FNCCI and an Associate Member of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). He also serves as a Director of IME Prudential General Insurance Ltd., Himalayan Power Partners Ltd. and Buddhanilkantha Heritage Hotel Ltd. He has also served as the Chairman of Nepal Investors Forum, director of Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited (Nepal Telecom) and NRN Infrastructure Development Ltd. His leadership extends to co-founding the Chandragiri Hills Limited and Hathway Investment Nepal Ltd. He has been awarded the Suprabal Janasewashree (Third) by the Government of Nepal. Mr. Paudel holds an MBA and an MPA from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Ms. Sabina Rana is an experienced Banker with 16 years of experience in various leadership roles in Nepalese Commercial Banks. She has served as the Manager-Strategy, Head of Compliance, Policies and Procedures and Head of Internal Audit Department at Global IME Bank Limited, erstwhile Bank of Kathmandu Limited and Lumbini Bank Limited respectively. She is currently serving as an Independent Director at RSDC Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited and is also engaged as a faculty member at IIMS College in Kathmandu. Ms. Rana holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM).

Mr. Shiva Singh Karki was the Chairman of the erstwhile Kanchan Development Bank Limited for 11 years, where he played a pivotal role in the bank’s growth and development. Mr. Karki has also been a director at several leading companies, including the erstwhile Surya Life Insurance Company Limited, Sarbottam Paints Limited, Sarbottam Cement Limited, and Hathway Investment Nepal Limited. As a proficient investor in capital market, he brings extensive experience in investment strategies and financial management. Mr. Karki holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from TU.

Mr. Bhagirath Sapkota is the President of the Federation of Nepalese Industry and Enterprises (FENIE), a key organization advocating for the interests of Nepal’s business community. Under his leadership, FENIE has actively engaged with policymakers to drive economic reforms and support industrial growth. He is the Managing Director of Gochali Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd. and Start Traders. He also serves as a Director of Nepal Purbadhar Bikas Company Limited.  He holds a Master’s degree in Business Studies.

Mr. Narayan Prasad Paudel is an experienced Central Banker. He served at Nepal Rastra Bank for 30 years, eventually retiring as an Executive Director (Special Class). During his tenure at Nepal Rastra Bank, he held key leadership positions in various departments, including Banking and Financial Institutions Regulation Department, Foreign Exchange Management Department, Bank Supervision Department, and Microfinance Promotion and Supervision Department. Additionally, he was involved in various high-level committees within Nepal Rastra Bank, including as the  Member-Secretary of the Management Committee and Spokesperson. He also held key roles in the private sector, including Chief Executive Officer at Prabhu Life Insurance Ltd. and is currently a Member of the Board of Directors at Global IME Bank Ltd. Mr. Paudel has contributed to financial inclusion efforts as a member of the Financial Inclusion Strategy Peer Learning Group, Alliance for Financial Inclusion. His experience also includes serving on the boards of Nepal Stock Exchange Ltd., Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund, and erstwhile Western Rural Development Bank Limited. He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, United Kingdom, an MA in Economics, and an MBA from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Mr. Bodh Raj Devkota is a banker with over 27 years of experience in Nepal’s banking sector. He has held key leadership positions, including Chief Executive Officer at Mahalaxmi Development Bank Ltd., Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Citizens Bank International Ltd. and Acting Chief Manager at Nepal Bank Ltd. He also served as the Chairman of  Citizens Capital Ltd. and Company Secretary of Citizens Bank International Ltd. Additionally, he was the Vice President of the Development Bankers Association of Nepal and a board member of the Credit Information Centre Ltd. His expertise spans corporate leadership, credit management, strategic planning, and financial restructuring. Beyond his corporate engagements, he has been actively involved in training and mentoring banking professionals, sharing his experience and knowledge in credit analysis, risk management, and financial strategy. Mr. Devkota holds an M.Phil. in Finance from Kathmandu University and an MBA in Finance from Tribhuvan University.