KATHMANDU: The Golden Jubilee edition of the NADA Auto Show 2026 has officially opened at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav inaugurated the auto show on Tuesday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President Yadav described the automobile sector as a long-term investment-driven industry. He said there should be a balance between industrial development, investment security, job creation and consumer interests.
He also called for regular dialogue between the government and the private sector to create stable, transparent and investment-friendly policies.
Yadav linked NADA’s 50-year journey with the development of Nepal’s automobile industry over the past five decades. He said Nepal should now aim to become a regional hub for automobile technology, services, skills and production.
He also said the global automobile industry is moving towards electric vehicles, autonomous driving, smart mobility and digital technology. He urged Nepali businesses to see these changes as an opportunity.
FNCCI President Anjan Kumar Shrestha said weak market demand and low business confidence are affecting Nepal’s economy.
He called for economic restructuring focused on strengthening domestic industries and creating more jobs, warning that Nepal could lose its demographic advantage over the next decade.
Shrestha also highlighted the potential for producing automobile spare parts in Nepal. He said the private sector is ready to support the government but needs stable policies and a better investment environment.
NADA President Surendra Kumar Upreti said the automobile sector is not just a vehicle trading business but an important contributor to Nepal’s economy.
According to NADA, the sector supports more than one million direct and indirect jobs and contributes over Rs 90 billion in government revenue.
Upreti called for stable tax policies to encourage long-term investment and urged the government to review its approach of treating vehicles as luxury goods.
He also highlighted EVs as a major opportunity for Nepal, particularly in charging infrastructure, vehicle assembly, clean energy and auto component production.
