NEPAL: Overseas Investment Firms Granted Restricted Go-Ahead

Overseas financiers are to be permitted to set up investment companies in the country but only under certain specific conditions. Most notably, according to new regulations introduced by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, any overseas operator looking to establish such a business may only make investments in the form of share capital, with loans, bonds and debentures not acceptable. It is believed that these restrictions are intended to regulate foreign exchange outflows. 

In addition, all such prospective investors will be required to have at least NPR1 billion (US$8 million) in investment capital and will be prohibited from borrowing from local financial institutions. Such investments will also only be permitted in approved sectors, with a requirement that all ultimate beneficiaries are formally disclosed. Furthermore, investments via shell companies will face a number of restrictions, while transactions via shell banks are expressly forbidden.