Kathmandu– The Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) has welcomed the decision made by the Department of Information Technology to amend laws through an ordinance that creates legal provisions for IT companies to expand abroad.
The CAN Association, an umbrella organization in the IT sector, has called this a historic decision by the government, stating that it opens new possibilities for the information technology sector.
In a meeting on Friday, the Council of Ministers approved the ordinance amending several acts of Nepal, which now allow the IT sector to invest abroad, operate branches, conduct transactions, and repatriate income back to Nepal. The CAN Association believes this provision will make Nepali IT companies more competitive in the international market and help increase foreign currency earnings.
President of the CAN Association, Sunaina Ghimire Pandey, stated that this initiative from the government will bring significant improvements to the IT sector. She also emphasized that it paves the way for the Nepali IT industry to move in a new direction. Pandey highlighted that CAN has been advocating for such legal reforms for a long time and stressed that, along with policy changes, clear programs must be introduced to address the challenges within the sector.
“Coordination between the private and public sectors is essential for the development of Nepal’s information technology sector,” she said. “Starting with the expansion of IT companies abroad, we must create an environment that attracts quality IT projects to Nepal.” She expressed hope that the government will provide the necessary support to help the workforce compete at the international level.
The CAN Association also praised the government for the legal amendment, which includes a provision that 40 percent of sweat share will be issued to startup companies.
General Secretary of CAN, Chandra Bilash Bhurtel, stated that this decision is a step towards a knowledge-based economy and will support the market expansion of the IT sector. He expressed confidence that the goals of establishing Nepal as an IT hub can only be achieved through coordination between the private and public sectors. Thanking the government for its initiatives, CAN emphasized the need for further policy and structural reforms.