The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) has launched the Global Accounting Initiative (GAIN) project, aimed at expanding employment and income by positioning Nepal as a competitive exporter of accounting and audit-related services.
According to The Rising Nepal, the initiative targets the creation of 50,000 jobs annually over the next five years, with a longer-term goal of 150,000 jobs within a decade. The project also sets an ambitious export target of around NRs80 billion ($555 million) per year from professional services.
GAIN focuses on building the regulatory and institutional foundations required for large-scale accounting outsourcing. Key components include the development of secure digital infrastructure, workforce training aligned with international standards, and mechanisms to ensure service quality and compliance.
The initiative also promotes innovation and entrepreneurship through the establishment of outsourcing hubs, digital platforms, and incubation centres, creating an ecosystem for professional services export.
To open international markets, ICAN plans targeted digital outreach in the UK, Australia, the EU, and the US. The programme will produce promotional materials and engage Nepalis living abroad to help broaden access to global opportunities.
ICAN expects the initiative to support complementary reforms, including tax exemptions, clearer VAT rules, simplified foreign exchange processes, and stronger data protection laws. These measures are intended to ease cross-border service delivery, enable Nepali firms to open branches abroad, and accelerate foreign investment.
ICAN President Nil Bahadur Saru Magar said the GAIN project will be carried forward as a continuing programme starting in the next fiscal year. He added that Nepal has strong potential to compete internationally, citing the success of peers such as India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and the Philippines in exporting professional and digital services.
