IBN launches single window investment system to streamline approvals and boost investor confidence

KATHMANDU: Investment Board Nepal has officially launched a Single Window Service Center (One-Stop Service Center), marking a major step toward improving Nepal’s investment climate and easing bureaucratic processes for both domestic and foreign investors.

The newly introduced digital platform—accessible via ossc.ibn.gov.np—allows investors to directly submit investment proposals online, eliminating the need for multiple physical interactions with government offices. Investors can also log in through the board’s main portal, ibn.gov.np, to access the system.

The initiative is designed to simplify and accelerate investment-related procedures, a long-standing challenge in Nepal’s business environment, often criticized for delays, regulatory complexity, and fragmented institutional coordination.

According to the board, a total of 14 key government agencies are being integrated into the system to ensure coordinated service delivery. These include major institutions such as the Company Registrar’s Office, Inland Revenue Department, Department of Customs, Department of Immigration, and Nepal Rastra Bank.

Other participating agencies include the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation; Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport; Ministry of Forests and Environment; Department of Industry; Department of Mines and Geology; Department of Labour and Occupational Safety; Department of Electricity Development; and Nepal Telecommunications Authority.

These agencies have already designated authorized focal persons to coordinate through the single window system. The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has also issued directives to ensure broader institutional integration.

Investment Board CEO Sushil Gyawali stated that the launch of the Single Window Service Center will significantly ease investor engagement by reducing procedural bottlenecks and improving service efficiency through digitalization.

He emphasized that information technology will play a critical role in delivering faster and more transparent services. As more agencies integrate their IT systems, the platform is expected to transition toward full automation, gradually replacing manual and paper-based processes.

“Once all agencies are digitally integrated and adequately resourced, we can move toward a fully automated system,” Gyawali noted, adding that budget allocation and technical readiness will be key to onboarding remaining institutions.

End-to-End Investment Facilitation

Once fully operational, the Single Window Service Center will provide end-to-end facilitation for investors. This includes evaluation of project proposals, company registration, tax registration, industry licensing, foreign exchange approvals, and coordination for labor permits, visas, and other regulatory clearances.

The platform will also assist in land acquisition processes—both private and government-owned land—along with environmental approvals and project-related permits under prevailing laws.

This centralized mechanism is expected to significantly reduce the time and cost associated with investment approvals, addressing a critical barrier for investors in Nepal.

Policy Backing and Reform Agenda

The system is being implemented under the provisions of the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Act, 2019 (2075 BS), which allows for the establishment of a one-stop service mechanism to facilitate large-scale investment projects.

The initiative also aligns with the government’s recently announced governance reform agenda, which includes a 100-point action plan unveiled on Chaitra 14. The plan emphasizes the need to create a unified approval system to deliver time-bound services to investors.

Prior to this, the Investment Board had already established an Investor Facilitation and Grievance Handling Desk to improve communication and responsiveness.

Boosting Nepal’s Investment Ecosystem

The launch of the Single Window Service Center is expected to enhance Nepal’s attractiveness as an investment destination by improving ease of doing business, increasing transparency, and strengthening institutional coordination.

As Nepal seeks to accelerate economic growth, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and implement large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, the effectiveness of such digital governance tools will be critical.

The success of the system will now depend on full inter-agency integration, consistent policy execution, and the government’s ability to sustain momentum in its broader economic reform agenda.