Kathmandu- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) on Tuesday launched the “Global Accounting Initiative in Nepal” (GAIN) project, aiming to make Nepal’s accounting services internationally competitive while significantly boosting employment and foreign income generation.
The project was unveiled at a programme held in the federal capital, with ICAN stating that GAIN seeks to brand Nepal as a reliable global outsourcing destination for accountancy services, build strategic international partnerships, and create sustainable, high-value employment opportunities.
Under the initiative, ICAN has set an ambitious target of creating more than 50,000 jobs annually within the next five years, and over 150,000 jobs within a decade. The institute estimates that the project could generate approximately Rs 80 billion for the national economy through accounting and related service exports.
The GAIN project prioritises the development of necessary regulatory and institutional frameworks for accounting outsourcing, establishment of secure digital infrastructure, and training of skilled human resources in line with international standards. It also focuses on expanding high-quality professional services, while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship through outsourcing hubs, digital platforms, and incubation centres.
Speaking at the launch, ICAN President Nil Bahadur Saru Magar said the initiative would be implemented as a regular programme starting from the upcoming fiscal year. He noted that countries such as India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and the Philippines have already established a strong presence in the global accounting outsourcing market, indicating that Nepal has similar potential if skills development and policy clarity are ensured.
As part of its international outreach, ICAN plans to conduct digital promotions targeting markets including the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and the European Union. The institute will also produce high-quality promotional materials and expand opportunities through collaboration with Nepali professional communities abroad.
The project further envisions the introduction of internationally accepted accounting software, specialised certification programmes focused on outsourcing, development of a national talent registration system, and enhancement of outsourcing-oriented academic curricula.
ICAN believes that effective implementation of GAIN will encourage supportive policy reforms, including tax incentives, clear VAT guidelines, simplified foreign exchange procedures, stronger data protection laws, permission for Nepali firms to open branches overseas, and faster approval processes for foreign investment.
With GAIN, ICAN aims to position Nepal as a competitive player in the global accounting services market while contributing to long-term employment generation and export-led economic growth.
