Large Scale Industry Registration by Foreigner in Nepal

28 Mar

Are you searching for large scale industry registration by foreigner in Nepal? Investments exceeding NPR 6 billion require approval from the Investment Board Nepal (IBN), a high-level government body chaired by the Prime Minister. This comprehensive guide explains the complete IBN approval process, Project Development Agreements (PDA), and compliance requirements for major foreign investments in Nepal.

What is Large Scale Industry Registration in Nepal?

Large scale industry registration by foreigner in Nepal refers to the approval and establishment process for foreign direct investments (FDI) exceeding NPR 6 billion (approximately USD 45 million) or hydropower projects with installed capacity above 200 MW. These investments fall under the jurisdiction of the Investment Board Nepal (IBN) rather than the Department of Industry (DOI) .

Furthermore, IBN operates as a single-window facilitation body for major investments, managing the entire project lifecycle from approval through implementation. The board was established in 2011 and operates under the Public Private Partnership and Investment Act (PPPIA) 2019 .

Why IBN Approval Matters for Large Scale Foreign Investment

IBN approval provides several advantages for major foreign investors:

Prime Minister-level oversight ensures high-priority government attention
One-Stop Service Centre (OSSC) coordinates 14 government agencies through designated focal persons
Project Development Agreements (PDA) provide long-term contractual frameworks with risk-sharing mechanisms
Fast-track processing with dedicated facilitation throughout implementation
Viability gap funding available for infrastructure projects

Moreover, IBN has approved cumulative investments totaling Rs. 1,716.51 billion (approximately USD 11.92 billion) across 55 projects as of December 2025, with the energy sector dominating at Rs. 1,337.16 billion .

Legal Framework Governing Large Scale Foreign Investment

Legislation	Key Provisions	Applicability
Public Private Partnership and Investment Act 2019	IBN establishment, PDA/PIA frameworks, OSSC mandate	All IBN projects
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act 2019	FDI approval procedures, minimum investment thresholds	Foreign investors
Industrial Enterprises Act 2020	Industry classification, incentives, compliance	All industries
Companies Act 2006	Company incorporation, share registry	Corporate structure
Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1962	Capital inflow, repatriation, NRB recording	Foreign exchange

IBN vs DOI: Understanding the Jurisdiction

Authority	Investment Threshold	Project Types	Processing Time
Department of Industry (DOI)	Below NPR 6 billion	Standard FDI projects	7 working days
Investment Board Nepal (IBN)	NPR 6 billion and above	Large-scale strategic projects	15 working days
IBN (Hydropower)	Above 200 MW capacity	Energy projects regardless of cost	Case-by-case basis

Step-by-Step Large Scale Industry Registration Process

Phase 1: Pre-Application Preparation (Weeks 1-4)

Step 1: Project Feasibility and Structuring
Develop a comprehensive project proposal including:

Technical feasibility study
Financial projections and funding structure
Environmental impact assessment (if required)
Market analysis and demand assessment
Employment generation estimates

Step 2: Determine Investment Structure
Large scale investments can be structured as:

Direct Private Investment (Project Investment Agreement - PIA)
Public-Private Partnership (Project Development Agreement - PDA)
Joint Venture with Nepali partners
Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (100% foreign ownership permitted in most sectors)

Phase 2: IBN Application Submission (Weeks 5-8)

Step 3: Initial Consultation with IBN
Schedule consultation with IBN's Investment Promotion Division to discuss:

Project alignment with national priorities
Preliminary eligibility assessment
Required documentation checklist
Timeline expectations and facilitation needs

Step 4: Formal Application Submission
Submit comprehensive application package to IBN including:

Document Category	Specific Requirements
Corporate Documents	Certificate of incorporation, MOA/AOA, board resolution for investment
Financial Documents	Audited financial statements (3 years), bank references, funding commitment letters
Project Documents	Detailed project report, feasibility study, implementation timeline
Investor Documents	Passport copies, CVs of key personnel, company profile
Legal Documents	Power of attorney, joint venture agreement (if applicable), technology transfer agreement
Compliance Documents	Environmental clearance (IEE/EIA), land acquisition plan, tax clearance from home country

Step 5: Application Fee Payment
Pay applicable processing fees:

Application fee: NPR 10,000 – 50,000 (depending on project size)
Signing fee (post-approval): 0.2% of total project cost
Performance guarantee (post-approval): 0.1% of project cost

Phase 3: IBN Evaluation and Approval (Weeks 9-15)

Step 6: Project Screening and Analytics
IBN conducts structured evaluation using:

Project Screening and Analytics Tool (PSAT) for initial assessment
Value for Money (VfM) Analysis for PPP projects
IBN Project Bank Guidelines compliance verification

Step 7: Inter-Agency Coordination
IBN coordinates with relevant ministries:

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies
Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (for energy projects)
Ministry of Forests and Environment (for environmental clearance)
Ministry of Land Management (for land acquisition)
Nepal Rastra Bank (for foreign exchange matters)

Step 8: IBN Board Approval
The IBN Board, chaired by the Prime Minister, reviews and approves qualified projects. Approval is granted through formal resolution.

Phase 4: Agreement Execution (Weeks 16-20)

Step 9: Negotiation of PDA or PIA
For approved projects, IBN negotiates comprehensive agreements:

Project Development Agreement (PDA) for PPP projects includes:

Risk allocation between government and investor
Government facilitation commitments (land, permits, utilities)
Project implementation schedule and milestones
Fee structures and royalty payments
Termination conditions and dispute resolution

Project Investment Agreement (PIA) for direct private investments includes:

Investment protection guarantees
Tax incentive commitments
Repatriation rights and procedures
Operational autonomy provisions

Step 10: Agreement Signing
Execute formal agreements with:

Signing fee deposit (0.2% of project cost)
Performance guarantee submission (0.1% of project cost)
Witness by IBN CEO and investor representatives

Phase 5: Company Formation and Registration (Weeks 21-28)

Step 11: Company Registration at OCR
Register company with Office of Company Registrar:

Submit MOA/AOA with IBN approval reference
Minimum capital: NPR 20 million (foreign investment requirement)
Obtain company registration certificate

Step 12: Tax and Industry Registration
Complete parallel registrations:

PAN registration at Inland Revenue Department
Industry registration at Department of Industry
VAT registration (mandatory for turnover above NPR 2 million)

Phase 6: Capital Injection and NRB Recording (Weeks 29-36)

Step 13: NRB Notification and Capital Transfer

Submit statutory notice to Nepal Rastra Bank
Transfer foreign capital through formal banking channels (SWIFT)
Obtain inflow certificate from receiving bank

Step 14: Share Registry Update

Update shareholder registry at OCR with foreign ownership details
Submit share allotment documents

Step 15: NRB Investment Recording
Record investment with NRB within 6 months of capital remittance :

Submit inflow certificate
Provide updated share registry
Complete NRB recording formalities

Phase 7: Operational Compliance (Ongoing)

Step 16: Sector-Specific Licenses
Obtain operational licenses from relevant authorities:

Environmental clearance certificates
Construction permits (if applicable)
Import licenses for machinery and equipment
Employment permits for foreign staff

Step 17: One-Stop Service Centre (OSSC) Facilitation
IBN's OSSC provides ongoing coordination with 14 government agencies :

Ministry of Land Management
Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport
Ministry of Forests and Environment
Nepal Rastra Bank
Department of Immigration
Inland Revenue Department
Department of Industry
Department of Mines and Geology
Department of Customs
Department of Labour
Department of Electricity Development
Office of Company Registrar
Nepal Telecommunications Authority

Minimum Investment Requirements for Large Scale Industry

Investment Type	Minimum Threshold	Notes
General FDI	NPR 20 million per investor	Standard minimum for foreign investors
IBN Jurisdiction	NPR 6 billion	Large-scale project threshold
Hydropower Projects	200 MW capacity	IBN jurisdiction regardless of cost
IT and Back-office	Exempted	Automatic route eligibility

Capital Injection Schedule Under FITTA 2075

Foreign investment must be injected according to prescribed timelines :

Stage	Timeline	Injection Percentage	Cumulative
Stage I	Within 1 year of approval	25% (≤NPR 20M), 15% (NPR 20M-250M), 10% (NPR 250M)	10-25%
Stage II	Upon commercial operation	Up to 70% total	70%
Stage III	Within 2 years of operation	Remaining 30%	100%

Large Scale Industry Registration Costs

Expense Category	Cost Range (NPR)
IBN application fee	10,000 – 50,000
Signing fee (0.2% of project cost)	Variable (based on project size)
Performance guarantee (0.1% of project cost)	Variable (refundable)
Company registration (OCR)	9,500 – 28,500+
Legal and professional fees	500,000 – 2,000,000+
Environmental clearance	100,000 – 500,000
Industry registration	43,000+ (based on capital)
Total Professional Costs	NPR 1,000,000 – 5,000,000+

Priority Sectors for Large Scale Foreign Investment

IBN actively promotes investment in these sectors :

Sector	Investment Approved (Rs. Billion)	Projects
Energy (Hydropower, Solar, Wind)	1,337.16	40
Manufacturing	236.91	9
Tourism	71.63	2
Infrastructure	64.90	1
Utilities	5.91	3

Other Priority Areas:

Green hydrogen and transmission lines
Health, education, and sports infrastructure
Information and communication technology (data centers, IT parks)
Transport and logistics (expressways, railways, airports)
Urban infrastructure (smart cities, urban mobility)
Mines and minerals (limestone, cement, petroleum resources)

Tax Incentives for Large Scale Industries

Incentive Type	Benefit	Duration
Tax Holiday	Full income tax exemption	Up to 15 years (hydropower)
Customs Exemption	Duty-free import of machinery	Project implementation period
VAT Exemption	Exemption on imported capital goods	Project implementation period
Accelerated Depreciation	Enhanced depreciation allowances	As per Income Tax Act
Repatriation Rights	Full repatriation of profits and capital	Throughout investment period

Post-Registration Compliance Requirements

Annual Obligations

Submit annual performance reports to IBN
File audited financial statements with NRB
Conduct annual general meetings and file returns at OCR
Maintain foreign exchange transaction records
Update share registry for any ownership changes

Ongoing Reporting to IBN

Quarterly progress reports during construction
Monthly production/operation reports post-completion
Compliance with PDA/PIA terms and conditions
Environmental monitoring reports (if required)

Repatriation of Earnings: Liberalized Framework

The December 30, 2025 amendment significantly streamlined repatriation procedures :

Aspect	Previous Process	Current Process (Post-Dec 2025)
Approval Authority	NRB Foreign Exchange Department	Commercial bank head offices
Timeline	Variable (often delayed)	15 working days maximum
NRB Approval	Required for all repatriation	Only for non-source country transfers
Documentation	Extensive NRB submission	Simplified bank-level processing

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge	Solution
Land Acquisition Delays	IBN coordinates with Ministry of Land Management for facilitation
Environmental Clearance	Early engagement with Ministry of Forests and Environment
Inter-agency Coordination	OSSC provides single-window facilitation
Foreign Exchange Volatility	NRB hedging facilities and forward contracts
Regulatory Changes	PDA/PIA provides contractual protection against adverse changes

Timeline Summary for Large Scale Industry Registration

Phase	Duration
Pre-application preparation	4-8 weeks
IBN application and evaluation	4-6 weeks
Agreement negotiation and signing	4-6 weeks
Company formation and registration	2-4 weeks
Capital injection and NRB recording	4-8 weeks
Operational license acquisition	4-12 weeks
Total Estimated Time	5-9 months

Frequently Asked Questions About Large Scale Industry Registration

What is the minimum investment for IBN approval?

The minimum threshold for IBN jurisdiction is NPR 6 billion (approximately USD 45 million) for non-energy projects. Hydropower projects above 200 MW capacity fall under IBN regardless of investment size .

How long does IBN approval take?

IBN aims to process large-scale investment applications within 15 working days after receiving complete documentation . However, the entire process including PDA negotiation and company formation typically takes 5-9 months.

Can foreigners own 100% of large scale industries in Nepal?

Yes, 100% foreign ownership is permitted in most sectors under FITTA 2019. Only restricted sectors (arms, ammunition, real estate trading, small retail) prohibit or limit foreign ownership .

What is the difference between PDA and PIA?

Project Development Agreement (PDA) is used for PPP projects with government participation, while Project Investment Agreement (PIA) applies to direct private investments without government equity .

What is the One-Stop Service Centre (OSSC)?

OSSC is IBN's coordinated facilitation mechanism involving 14 government agencies with designated focal persons to provide streamlined services to large-scale investors .

Are there tax incentives for large scale foreign investment?

Yes, large scale industries qualify for tax holidays up to 15 years (especially hydropower), customs duty exemptions on machinery, and VAT exemptions on capital goods imports .

What happens after IBN approval?

After IBN approval, investors must: (1) Execute PDA/PIA, (2) Register company at OCR, (3) Obtain tax registrations, (4) Inject capital through banking channels, (5) Record investment with NRB, and (6) Obtain operational licenses.

Can profits be repatriated freely?

Yes, foreign investors can repatriate profits, dividends, and capital after tax clearance. Under the December 2025 reforms, commercial banks now approve repatriation within 15 days .

What sectors are restricted for large scale foreign investment?

Restricted sectors include arms and ammunition, currency minting, real estate trading (except large infrastructure), traditional cottage industries, and certain defense-related manufacturing .

Is environmental clearance mandatory?

Yes, large scale projects require either Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) depending on project nature and scale. This must be obtained before or during the IBN approval process.

Why Choose Corporate Np for Large Scale Industry Registration?

Corporate Np specializes in large scale industry registration by foreigner in Nepal with comprehensive services:

IBN application preparation and submission
PDA/PIA negotiation support and legal review
Coordination with IBN's One-Stop Service Centre
Company registration and compliance management
NRB capital injection and recording facilitation
Environmental clearance coordination
Sector-specific license acquisition
Ongoing regulatory compliance support

With extensive experience in major foreign investment projects, Corporate Np ensures seamless navigation of IBN requirements for large-scale investors. Contact Corporate Np today to begin your large scale FDI Nepal journey.

References

For additional information on large scale industry registration by foreigner in Nepal, consult these authoritative sources:

Investment Board Nepal Official Website - IBN procedures and project information
Department of Industry Nepal - Industry registration and FDI approval
Office of Company Registrar - Company incorporation procedures
Nepal Rastra Bank - Foreign exchange and investment recording
Public Private Partnership and Investment Act 2019 - Legal framework for IBN
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act 2019 - FDI regulations
Industrial Enterprises Act 2020 - Industry classification and incentives
Ministry of Industry Commerce and Supplies - Investment policy and facilitation
Nepal Investment Guide 2024 - Comprehensive investment procedures
One Stop Service Centre IBN - Coordinated government services

Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or investment advice. Regulations, fees, and procedures are subject to change. Large scale investments involve complex legal and financial considerations. Consult qualified legal professionals, investment advisors, and visit official government portals for the most current requirements before initiating large scale industry registration by foreigner in Nepal.