NAS-IT is thrilled to announce its participation in the upcoming London Tech Week (LTW) 2024 as part of the Nepal Pavilion. Recognized as one of the most prestigious events in the global technology calendar, LTW is dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements in technology and innovation. NAS-IT’s presence at LTW, signifies its commitment to excellence and innovation within the industry. This event provides an unparalleled opportunity for NAS-IT and its member companies to gain exposure on a global stage and contribute to the ongoing dialogue shaping the future of technology.

NAS-IT, in collaboration with De Haagse Hogeschool / The Hague University of Applied Sciences, is hosting an exclusive event in the Netherlands. This event will serve as a platform to showcase the vibrant landscape of the Nepalese software industry while also delving into potential collaboration opportunities with the Nepalese diaspora in Europe. Supported by esteemed organizations such as NSEA – The Netherlands, PROSHORE, NIC Europe, NRNA NCC Netherlands, and the Embassy of Nepal in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg & the European Union, this event promises to be an enriching and insightful experience for attendees.

Hon’ble Minister Rekha Sharma, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, chaired a pivotal meeting with delegates from the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) representing 17 countries, marking a significant stride towards transforming Nepal into a global tech hub. The discussion focused on key areas for advancing Nepal’s tech sector, including exemplary policy interventions in other Asia Pacific nations for ICT development, factors that attract tech investors to Nepal, and potential areas for cross-country collaboration. This important gathering highlights Nepal’s commitment to digital innovation and collaboration on a global scale, showcasing the country’s potential to become a prominent player in the global tech landscape.

NAS-IT proudly hosted “Navigating Growth: Strategies for Startup Ecosystems and Asia Pacific Expansion”, marking a significant milestone in Nepal’s tech landscape. This dynamic event brought together global tech leaders from 17 countries across the Asia Pacific region, alongside government officials, development agencies, private sector representatives, and academia. The gathering was characterized by expert insights, diverse perspectives, and strategies for fostering vibrant startup ecosystems. Attendees engaged in enriching discussions, exchanged valuable knowledge, and forged meaningful connections, all aimed at empowering Nepal’s tech scene.

NAS-IT held its Quarterly Members’ Meet, bringing together a dynamic gathering to showcase event highlights, discuss upcoming plans, and present key presentations. This successful convergence provided attendees with insightful updates, opportunities to welcome new members, and a platform to align future goals and achievements. The event was marked by a spirit of collaboration and enthusiasm, reflecting NAS-IT’s commitment to fostering a vibrant community of tech professionals.

NAS-IT proudly hosted the APICTA exco meeting for the first time in Nepal, uniting delegates from 17 countries to drive forward the future of technology. The event served as a convergence of minds, fostering innovation and collaboration to shape a brighter tomorrow. NAS-IT’s proud initiative showcased Nepal as a burgeoning hub for technological advancement, while uniting leaders from around the world to exchange ideas and propel the industry forward.

NAS-IT hosted the “NAS-IT Pre-Budget Policy Dialogue 2024”, bringing together industry leaders to discuss and prioritize policy changes, evaluate advocacy efforts, and develop a unified strategy. This collaborative session aimed to strengthen the industry’s voice and influence in shaping the upcoming budget announcement. The event was a success, with participants engaging in fruitful discussions and laying the groundwork for a stronger industry approach to policy advocacy. The dialogue sets the stage for a more impactful and effective industry presence in the policy-making process, ensuring that the tech sector’s needs and priorities are well-represented in the upcoming budget.

NAS-IT organized an enlightening diaspora session featuring Pukar C. Hamal, the founder of SecurityPal, where he shared insights from his background and the secrets behind SecurityPal’s remarkable achievements. Discussions ranged from B2B sales strategies to Pukar’s million-dollar pitch, offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of navigating the tech industry. Pukar’s vision of bringing Silicon Valley to Nepal ignited inspiration among participants, emphasizing the potential of local talent on a global scale. His decision to build SecurityPal in Nepal and forge partnerships with industry leaders like OpenAI underscored the impact of leveraging homegrown expertise.

NAS-IT hosted a dynamic diaspora knowledge-sharing session titled “Startup Accelerator Framework & Ecosystems”. The session featured esteemed speakers Ms. Preeti Adhikary, founder of The Great Nepali Diaspora (TGND), and Mr. Sajan Gautam, advisor/investor and Entrepreneur in Residence at Fuel Accelerator, USA. The discussion covered a range of topics, including the inner workings of accelerators, their startup selection criteria, team dynamics, and the importance of mindset. The session also delved into strategies for structuring diaspora engagement and methods for effective outreach.

NAS-IT, in collaboration with SLASSCOM and The World Bank, organized a transformative event focused on organizational strengthening within the tech industry. Drawing from SLASSCOM’s extensive experience as a pioneering association, the event served as a platform for NAS-IT to glean wisdom and insights, fostering an environment ripe for learning and growth.

NAS-IT, in collaboration with SLASSCOM and The World Bank, organized a dynamic event, focused on Talent Development: Building the Future Workforce and Investment & Export Generation, brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including NAS-IT members, Academia, SLASSCOM representatives, Government agencies, Industry associations, Development agencies, and Think tanks. The discussions and collaborative efforts at the event aimed to drive impactful change and innovation in these critical areas. Special thanks were extended to the World Bank and SLASSCOM for their significant contributions to the success of the event.

NAS-IT conducted the 2nd series of diaspora experience-sharing sessions on “Rise of Gen AI powered applications: Navigating Threats and Adversaries”. The session was delivered by Mr. Sushant Dahal, Security Architect at Palo Alto Networks and Cybersecurity Lecturer at Austin Community College, who explored contemporary trends, including malicious attacks targeting LLM, prompt injection, and sensitive data exposure. The session included demonstrations on detecting prompt injections.

  NAS-IT hosted its first series of Diaspora Experience Sharing Session on “The Dumbest Person in the Room – A Character of True Leader”. The spotlight was on Mr. Sudeep Acharya, the visionary CEO and Co-Founder of MTX APAC, as he shared his leadership wisdom with the participants.

NAS-IT members enjoyed a weekend of knowledge sharing, team bonding, and picturesque views. The retreat provided members with an engaging platform to connect minds, foster collaborations, and embrace the spirit of innovation.

The IT Dialogue: Bridging horizons between the Software Industry and Government Services in Nepal witnessed insightful discussions and fruitful outcomes. The discussions ranged from policy advocacy & exploring tax considerations, to industry challenges. Experts, Mr. Anjan Kumar Dahal and Mr. Arun Raut, offered insights on tax rates, start-ups, employee equity, international transactions, and FDI nuances in Nepal’s IT sector.

NAS-IT representatives presented its membership proposal at the Exco Meeting at the Asian Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA) 2023. NAS-IT is pleased to share its official confirmation as a proud member of APICTA, signifying a major milestone as Nepal becomes the 17th member economy in this esteemed regional alliance. This membership opens doors to a number of opportunities for NAS-IT and its members, fostering networking with industry leaders, enabling knowledge transfers, and positioning it on an international stage.

NAS-IT and NYEF Kathmandu Chapter united their efforts through a momentous collaboration, formalized by the signing of MOU, aiming to drive the progression of Nepal’s promising tech landscape. One of the six objectives of NAS-IT is “Innovation and entrepreneurship” and this collaboration serves as a progression towards achieving the objective.

NAS-IT in partnership with Ikebana Solutions organized a remarkable event in Tokyo, Japan, where Nepali IT professionals residing in the country came together to connect and network. The meet up was a resounding success, reinforcing the sense of community and collaboration among the Nepalese IT diaspora.

NAS-IT facilitated an enlightening industry visit for the participants of ICT Award 2023, representing startups from all corners of Nepal. The visit featured guided tours and insightful discussions at four leading NAS-IT member companies: CloudFactory, inGrails Pvt. Ltd., Logpoint, and TechKraft Inc. As the participants of the ICT Awards 2023 learnt about the hurdles and success stories of these companies, they were inspired and encouraged to make a mark of their own in the Nepalese ICT sector.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) centered around the presentation of the annual report, audited financial statements for the fiscal year 2079/80, and forecasted budget. As NAS-IT members reflected on the association’s journey, they applauded  The newly elected board was announced during the event in the presence of the NAS-IT members.

NAS-IT members came together to address the pressing challenges within the IT industry. The Leadership Dialogue : Redefining NAS-IT’s Objectives, a platform for all the members to share their pressing challenges, served as a platform to refine the organization’s objectives and collectively shape the future of IT companies in Nepal. Inspirational insights were shared, and a vision for a thriving IT landscape was crafted. Together, NAS-IT is poised to drive progress, innovation, and sustainable growth in our industry.

To ease financial access to its member companies, NAS-IT signed an MOU with Kumari Bank Limited (KBL) to provide collateral-free working capital loans to its members. Under this partnership, NAS-IT members will have access to a working capital loan facility of up to Rs. 10 million without the requirement of collateral. By alleviating financial constraints, this collaboration aims to empower member companies to explore new horizons and innovative opportunities.

Virtual Open House : Learn About NAS-IT was an informative session where NAS-IT shared the association’s visions, plans, membership procedure, and benefits. It was an interactive session that helped NAS-IT pave its future plans through the valuable inputs and feedback provided by the participants. The session served to validate the establishment of the association.

NAS-IT, in collaboration with Nepal Private Equity Association (NPEA) and USAID T&C, conducted a Private Equity Information Sharing Session. This session empowered the NAS-IT members with the knowledge and information to explore new investment horizons. This event spurred insightful discussions to harness the potential of private equity and venture capitals to propel their ventures to new heights. 

The “Policy Summit 2023” was jointly organized by the National Planning Commission and USAID T&C, along with participation from prominent private sector organizations like CNI, FNCCI, FNCSI, FWEAN, HAN, and NBA. Amidst a gathering of distinguished voices, NAS-IT shared its views on the policies that could help build Nepal as an IT hub. While acknowledging the sector’s immense potential, it also highlighted many challenges and hurdles in the political and legal fronts that need to be addressed for global expansion in the tech sector. NAS-IT’s presentation delved on various requests for policy amendments such as allowing Nepali tech companies to open their subsidiaries and joint-ventures abroad, reducing the FDI minimum investment to under $20,000 and creating a fast-paced FDI approval process, prioritizing local companies while procuring software for government agencies, etc.

The first members meet of the Nepal Association for Software and IT services companies (NAS-IT) was a resounding success, with representatives from some of the country’s most prominent tech firms gathering to discuss the future of the industry. Almost all the founding members attended the meet and had the chance to network with their peers and share ideas on how to drive innovation and growth in the rapidly-evolving tech landscape. The event served as a powerful testament to the potential of Nepal’s tech industry and the critical role that NAS-IT is poised to play in shaping its future.

NAS-IT and USAID Trade & Competitiveness signed a Letter of Cooperation to formalize their collaboration. The letter outlines the joint efforts of both the parties to assist each other in achieving their respective organizational goals, including hosting public-private dialogues and supporting initiatives for the growth of the IT industry in Nepal.

NAS-IT signed an MOU to contribute to the study on ‘Contribution and Challenges of IT service export to Foreign Reserve in Nepal’ initiated by Integrated Institute for Development Studies (IIDS). The final report titled “Unleashing IT: Advancing Nepal’s Digital Economy” presented some remarkable insights.The total IT service export reached USD 515 million in 2022, representing an astounding growth of 64.2%. These exports now account for 1.4% of Nepal’s GDP and 5.5% of its foreign currency reserves.   

IT Bill Hackathon was a collaborative effort between NAS-IT and the Sumana Shrestha Secretariat. It aimed to understand the intricacies and uncover the loopholes in the IT Bill 2075. Over 30 creative minds from tech companies, legal teams, think tanks, and research groups, dived into discussions on problem identification and brainstormed amendments to this critical piece of legislation. But what was truly fascinating was the realization that the tech world and the legal arena often speak different languages. This event highlighted the knowledge gaps and emphasized on the urgent need of policy advocacy within the tech sector.