August 11, Kathmandu.
The ‘Naima Nepal Mobility Expo 2026’ has been grandly inaugurated. The expo, organized by the Nepal Automobiles Importers and Manufacturers Association (Naima), was inaugurated on Tuesday morning with a special formal ceremony at the Blue Pavilion Auditorium Hall located at Nepal Police Club.
In the program inaugurated by a special panel of guests, Naima President Ritu Singh Baidya stated that the expo is not merely a venue for buying and selling vehicles, but a common platform that brings together the entire mobility ecosystem. She mentioned that frequently changing policy arrangements have created uncertainty among businesses, making it difficult for new investments to come in. She advised the government to change policies only after discussions with the private sector and stakeholders.
At the program, Inspector General of Police Karki advised businesses that merely selling vehicles is not enough, and they should fulfill their social responsibility in the area of safety. He stated that brands should focus on after-sales service.
Anjan Shrestha, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, complained that the government has always viewed the automobile sector only as a source of revenue. He suggested that the automobile sector should be seen as a necessity, not a luxury. He stated that Nepal applies the world’s highest customs duty rate in the automobile sector.
He suggested adopting stable policies for electric vehicles as stable policies are necessary for all businesses. President Shrestha stated that the private sector is ready to invest, but the government needs to create a conducive environment for it.
Similarly, Virendra Raj Pandey, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), expressed the view that the government should give high priority to the automobile sector as it is one of the major sectors providing revenue to the government. He expressed confidence that investment in the transport sector and its sustainable development will significantly contribute to the country’s economy.
Likewise, Kamlesh Agarwal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, stated that mobility is no longer just a matter of transport but is directly linked to the economic prosperity of the country. He presented figures showing that the mobility sector contributes approximately 7 percent to Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product.
‘This sector is interconnected with various sectors such as banking, insurance, tourism, construction, and information technology. Therefore, this sector should not be seen merely as a luxury or consumption sector, but as an engine of economic development,’ he said.
The inaugural session saw the special presence of distinguished officials from the Government of Nepal, officials from various diplomatic missions, office bearers of prestigious organizations, board members and member institutions of Naima, Naima Nepal exhibition partner organizations, and various other organizations related to the auto sector.
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On the first day, Tuesday, various brands unveiled 48 new vehicle models. Additionally, more than 29,000 people visited the expo. Around 150,000 visitors are expected throughout the expo period.
On the first day of the expo, Tuesday, a discussion was held on the topic “Investment and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Mobilizing-Fuel for Economic Growth”. In the program facilitated by former banker Anil Keshari Shah, Dr. Satyendra Timilsina, Executive Director and Head of the Economic Research Department at Nepal Rastra Bank, Tim Gocher, Chairman of Dolma Foundation, Manoj Gyawali, CEO of Nabil Bank, and Naima President Baidya participated as panelists. Over three hundred people participated in Tuesday’s Learning Session alone.
Throughout the expo, programs such as Learning Sessions, Policy Dialogues and Industry Interactions will be conducted by domestic and foreign experts.
During the program, Grande International Hospital delivered an informative special presentation on “Basic Life Support and Immediate Care After Road Traffic Accidents”.
The second edition of the expo, organized with the aim of promoting a sustainable, green, and technology-friendly transportation system in Nepal, will run for 6 days, i.e., until August 16. The expo has seen significant participation from domestic and multinational vehicle manufacturers and importers. The main attractions at the expo include brands entering Nepal for the first time, as well as new models of electric cars, e-scooters, and electric commercial vehicles.
Banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies are offering special deals and subsidized loans for vehicle purchases at the expo.
Global IME Bank Limited is the co-sponsor of the expo, while Red Bull is the ‘Powered by’ sponsor. Similarly, NMB Bank Limited and Siddhartha Bank Limited are the banking partners. Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company Limited (SALICO) and NLG Insurance Company Limited are the insurance partners for the expo.
Likewise, Bosch is the Technology Partner; Global College and Embark College are the Education Partners; Agni Energy Private Limited and Ajal Engineering Solutions Private Limited are the Charging Partners; Pathao Nepal Private Limited is the Ride Partner; Aqua Minerals (Aqua Hundred) Private Limited is the Hydration Partner; The Soaltee Kathmandu is the Hospitality Partner; Grande International Hospital is the Medical Partner; Vatsal Impex Private Limited (Hikvision) is the Surveillance Partner; and Hitko Private Limited is the Fire and Safety Partner.
For Naima Mobility Expo, IME Khalti Limited is the Ticketing Partner; Union Pay is the QR Partner; Pioneer Event Management and Media Network Private Limited is the Audio Visual Partner; Digipal Solutions Private Limited is the Digital Partner; ATS Nepal is the Vehicle Safety Partner; Media Space Solutions Private Limited is the Management Partner; WorldLink Communications Limited is the Connectivity Partner; and Profit Media Private Limited is the Publication Partner.
For More: Naima Nepal Mobility Expo
