NAS-IT charts bold path with new leadership, policy push, and global engagement

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Association for Software and IT Services Companies (NAS-IT) has concluded its Third Annual General Meeting (AGM) with the election of a new leadership team and the unveiling of a strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening Nepal’s position in the global IT market. The event brought together company representatives, board members, and key industry stakeholders for a detailed review of the past year’s achievements and future challenges.

New Leadership to Drive Transformation

The AGM appointed Gaurav Raj Pandey, CEO of E.K. Solutions, as the new President of NAS-IT. Supporting him are:

Vice-President: Deepen Chapagain (Country Director, Logpoint)

General Secretary: Alisha Shrestha (COO, Amnil Technologies)

Treasurer: Abhaya Poudel (Co-founder, Gokyo Labs)

The newly elected Executive Committee Members include:

Kailash Raj Bijayananda (SVP, Leapfrog Technologies)

Narayan Koirala (Managing Director, Eminence Ways)

Prarthana Saakha (Co-founder, B.I.C. Technologies)

Richan Shrestha (CEO, Quickfox Technologies)- Past President

Santosh Koirala (Executive Director, Techkraft) — Immediate Past President

The leadership transition is seen as a pivotal moment, with Pandey highlighting NAS-IT’s commitment to “building a globally competitive Nepali IT sector by promoting innovation, workforce excellence, and international collaboration.”

Expanding Policy Advocacy

Over the past year, NAS-IT has deepened its role as a policy advocate for Nepal’s IT industry. The association worked closely with government agencies to provide inputs on IT-related Acts, directives, and guidelines, pushing for regulatory clarity and a conducive environment for digital businesses.

These efforts are part of NAS-IT’s broader goal of shaping policies that enhance Nepal’s competitiveness, reduce barriers for IT entrepreneurs, and align the country’s digital framework with international standards.

Global Engagement and Recognition

NAS-IT strengthened Nepal’s IT visibility on the international stage by participating in key global platforms:

-Mahakumbh IT Summit

-World IT Show

-APICTA Awards 2024 in Brunei

The association also played a critical role in expanding Nepal-UK technology ties, supporting trade, investment, and cross-border partnerships in digital services. Such participation is expected to help Nepali IT firms tap into global outsourcing opportunities and enhance the country’s reputation as an emerging tech destination.

Workforce and Skills Development

Recognizing the critical shortage of skilled talent, NAS-IT invested heavily in workforce development programs. Key initiatives included:

Career Compass Program – guiding young professionals into IT career pathways

IT Career Workshops – preparing graduates for industry demands

NAS-IT Course Launches – equipping learners with cutting-edge digital skills

Specialized training programs targeting emerging roles in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing

The AGM also underscored NAS-IT’s efforts to bridge the industry-academia gap, ensuring Nepal’s workforce remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global market.

Cybersecurity and Industry Collaboration

In response to rising threats, NAS-IT inaugurated a dedicated Cybersecurity Committee during the past year. The committee is tasked with strengthening resilience, risk management, and best practices across member companies, aligning Nepal’s IT sector with international cybersecurity standards.

NAS-IT further pledged to expand collaboration among IT companies, foster entrepreneurship, and build platforms for members to showcase their innovations in domestic and international markets.

Founded as a non-profit industry body, NAS-IT has quickly emerged as a central force in shaping Nepal’s IT trajectory. The AGM reaffirmed its mission of promoting innovation, strengthening policy advocacy, building skilled human capital, and positioning Nepal as a hub for software development, digital outsourcing, and technology services.

With its new leadership, NAS-IT is set to intensify efforts in:

-Policy reform for IT-friendly business environments

-Innovation and entrepreneurship promotion

-Global competitiveness and outsourcing readiness

-Skills training to match international demand

-Showcasing Nepal’s IT excellence globally

The Third AGM closed with renewed optimism among members, who see the association as not only a representative body but also a strategic driver of Nepal’s digital transformation.