International Development Institute (IDI)

Most businesses don't lose export deals over quality. They lose them over paperwork.

That question sat at the center of our recent Export Readiness Training Session, led by trade expert Mr. Bishnu Prasad Adhikari, Director, Confederation of Nepalese Industries. This session is organized by US Embassy as part of the U.S.-Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series in collaboration with the International Development Institute, Aadyanta Advisory, AmCham Nepal, and the Global Compact Collective. The session brought together Nepali entrepreneurs, producers, and exporters for a practical look at what it really takes to export.

Mr. Bishnu presented the key essential documents needed for export readiness, such as certificates of origin, packing lists, and commercial invoices, and shared his knowledge on how to use B2B platforms and government resources to find buyers and support during the session. He also covered the incentives available to export-oriented businesses, and how systems like the Nepal National Single Window are designed to simplify customs and trade processes.

Additionally, he highlights that Packaging is important and why a closer look at materials like aluminum foil, cardboard, and bulk packaging is needed, and he shares how requirements shift depending on the destination market.

This session was made valuable was the sharing of experience/questions from real businesses on where DFTQC certification for exports is needed, and how navigating the right paperwork and lab coordination is important for export readiness. A pulses producer sharing the processing challenges behind exporting urad dal. Entrepreneurs exploring access to government incentives and the idea of a national B2B platform for Nepali exporters.

Thank you to Mr. Bishnu for a session full of practical, real-world insight, and to every participant who showed up with sharp questions and real businesses on the line.

Yes the products are different, the industries are different but the core challenge remains, which is turning a good product into one that is genuinely export-ready.

More from the Commercial Diplomacy Series is on the way. Stay tuned.

Does Nepal Have the Tools to Tell Its Story to the World?

The U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series presented its second CEO Dialogue, "Leveraging Technology and Storytelling for Tourism," hosted in Bhairahawa, Lumbini Province. The event was organized in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Nepal, International Development Institute, Aadyanta Advisory, AmCham Nepal, and The Global Compact Initiative, with strategic partners Veel and Royal Mountain Group.

The first moderated session featured Richa Tandukar, Brand Marketing Manager at Veel, who explored how creators and influencers are transforming travel decisions worldwide. She noted that if just 100 creators produced content for Lumbini, it could meaningfully shift how the world sees and visits this remarkable destination.

The highlight of the event was the CEO Dialogue with Dileep Dhakal, Founder and CEO of Veel, who shared his journey from Silicon Valley to building a platform that connects 350,000+ creators with 300+ brands globally. He presented a compelling case for how Veel can serve as a direct vehicle to build brand value and drive tourism for Nepal, including connecting Los Angeles and Lumbini through technology, and using data-driven storytelling as a marketing tool to amplify the reach and impact of Nepali brands.

The session concluded with Shival Dhakal, Founder of Royal Mountain Group, who drew on his extensive experience to illustrate how digital media has become a cornerstone of Nepal's tourism narrative. He also shared insights from his work with the Community Homestay Network, where a storytelling-first approach to selling community experiences generated significant interest from both national and international media.

The message from all three speakers was clear: Nepal has the story. Storytelling, powered by technology, is the key to unlocking its potential as a global destination. What remains is the commitment to proper, sustained branding.

The program was attended by more than 90 local stakeholders, including hotel operators, travel and tour operators, investors, local entrepreneurs, and journalists.

Nepal welcomed over 1.15 million international visitors last year. But with treasures like the Himalayas and the birthplace of the Buddha, we're still underperforming our true potential.

The problem isn't our destinations, it's visibility. Travelers today discover places through reels, creators, reviews, and AI search tools, not brochures or travel fairs. Destinations now compete on how well they tell their story and turn attention into actual visits.

That's exactly what we'll explore at the next CEO Dialogue in the U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series: Leveraging Technology and Storytelling for Tourism, in Bhairahawa featuring Dileep Dhakal, Founder and CEO of Veel, with live demo and masterclass on creator-led marketing with the Veel App.

Place:Tiger Palace by Soaltee, Bhairahawa, Nepal
Date: 22nd June, 2026
Time: 3 PM onwards

If you are from Bhairahawa or Butwal, scan QR for registration/RSVP. See you all at Bhairahawa!

Is your business visible where your customers are actually looking?

That was the core question driving our recent Digital Marketing Virtual Session, led by marketing expert Mr. Ajay Thapa. This session is organized as part of the U.S. Embassy Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series in collaboration with the International Development Institute, Aadyanta Advisory, AmCham Nepal, and the Global Compact Initiative. Bringing together entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners from across Nepal, the session unpacked what it truly means to build a brand in today's digital-first world.

From logo design and brand identity to SEO, content marketing, and AI-powered tools, the conversation covered the full spectrum of what modern businesses need to compete and grow online. One theme kept surfacing throughout “Nepali businesses have enormous potential, but many are still navigating the gap between having a great product and being found online.”

Mr. Ajay didn't just present theory, he walked through real examples, from Global IME Bank's keyword strategy to how brands like Russia Foods use storytelling to build loyalty. The Q&A was packed with sharp, real-world questions on AI prompting, organic certification for agri-exports, directory SEO, and how to pick the right platform for the right audience.

What made this session special was the diversity in the room: skincare founders using AI for product photography, directory service providers optimizing local listings, agricultural exporters exploring organic branding, and software companies rethinking their digital presence. Different industries, one common challenge: getting seen, getting trusted, and getting chosen.

Grateful to everyone who joined, asked hard questions, and showed up ready to grow. And stay tuned, our next session dives deep into export readiness.

Is your startup built on a foundation that can actually handle the scale you’re aiming for?

That was the big question driving our recent Virtual Legal Clinic, held under the U.S. Embassy Nepal as part of the Commercial Diplomacy Series. Over the past month, the International Development Institute, in collaboration with Aadyanta Advisory, AmCham Nepal, and the Global Compact Initiative, conducted the Entrepreneurship Skill-Building Program across all seven provinces of Nepal. Throughout this program, one theme remained constant which was “emerging entrepreneurs often feeling stuck when navigating the maze of compliance and investment readiness.”.

The session was led by Legal Expert, Advocate/ Lawyer Ms. Lazzu Shrestha. She didn't just lecture; she broke down the practical realities of scaling from choosing the right legal structure and mastering PAN/VAT requirements to protecting intellectual property and strengthening corporate governance. The Q&A was buzzing with real-world scenarios from your own journeys, proving that when entrepreneurs get together to talk about the "boring" stuff like compliance, it actually turns into a space for massive growth.

Growth is about more than just revenue; it’s about building the strong, compliant foundation that investors look for. We are so proud to support this community as you navigate your scaling journeys.

See you all for our next session on Digital Marketing!

International Development Institute (IDI) proudly presented the Status of Women in Biratnagar research report!

Biratnagar Metropolitan City organized a validation workshop that brought together 100 women leaders, entrepreneurs, psycho-counsellors, police officers, homemakers, LGBTQ+ representatives, and women with disabilities to review, verify, and strengthen the research findings. Their voices matter. Their experiences shape this data.

We listened. We learned. And now, under the esteemed guidance of Deputy Mayor Ms.Shilpa Nirala Karki, we are working towards finalizing this historic dataset covering 41,488 households one of the most comprehensive studies on women ever conducted in Biratnagar.

Deputy Mayor Shilpa Nirala Karki of Biratnagar also expressed confidence that “the report would help the local government formulate evidence-based, gender-responsive plans while preparing budgets and policies in the coming days.”

This report was prepared under the leadership of Dr. Chandra Upadhyay, PhD, and Dr. Roshan Adhikari, with GESI Expert Suzana Kansakar and team members Ritaza Paudel, Adarsh Bikram Sah, and Simran Shrestha. We would like to thank the volunteers and Biratnagar Metropolitan City for supporting us during the whole process.

This is more than a report. It's a foundation for change.

The International Development Institute (IDI) proudly represented Nepal at the two-day Regional Workshop on the Integrated Buddhist Circuit, held in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India, from May 6–7, 2026. Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the South Asian Women's Network (SWAN) and the Tawang District Administration, the workshop brought together delegates from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and India to advance a shared vision of sustainable, inclusive, and women-led tourism across South Asia. The program was inaugurated in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein, and Minister for Women and Child Development, Science and Technology, and Cultural Affairs, Dasanglu Pul.

At the opening ceremony, IDI's Country Director, Roshan Ghimire, underscored the transformative potential of a unified Buddhist Circuit, stating, "South Asia is home to some of the world's most sacred Buddhist heritage sites. By connecting these across Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, we have a rare opportunity to build a tourism model that is spiritually meaningful and economically empowering for local communities, especially women."

On the second day, IDI's Program Officer, Suzana Kansakar, delivered a presentation on key sites identified for Nepal's inclusion in the Buddhist Circuit from the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha at Lumbini to ancient monastic sites in the Himalayan valleys, outlining a roadmap that prioritizes community participation and women-led tourism initiatives.

The Nepal delegation was led by Bagmati Province Member of Parliament, Former Tourism Minister, and Founder of T-HELP, Yankila Sherpa. Special appreciation to Veena Sikri, Ambassador, Founding Trustee & convener, South Asian Women’s Network, for your support. The Nepal team included representatives from the Nepal Tourism Board, the International Development Institute, T-HELP, Bar Pipal Bisauni Homestay, and Impact Adventure.

The words and wisdom of Mr. Scott H. DeLisi, Former U.S. Ambassador to Nepal, are always a source of inspiration. With every visit, our team learns something new and gains a broader perspective through our conversations with him. We are deeply grateful to Scott and Lieja for visiting us once again and for boosting our morale and confidence.

Engage Nepal is a champion, advocate, and partner for Nepal's communities, aligned with the values at the heart of Project HOPE and Project KARMA. With their continued guidance and support, we move closer each day to the change we wish to see.

Impact adventure Engage Nepal