Ambassador Peter Bodde hosted a conference call with U.S. businesses on Tuesday, August 21 to discuss opportunities in the hydropower sector in Nepal.  Twelve participants, representing industries including energy and infrastructure joined the call, including some with a history of investing in Nepal.  According to press release, the Ambassador gave an overview of the economic and business climate in Nepal and then took participants’ questions, including queries about upcoming hydropower summits in Kathmandu and how the U.S. Embassy can assist American companies investing in Nepal.

 Many American companies have expressed interest in investing in hydropower in Nepal.  Although challenges remain, Ambassador Bodde pointed out that Nepal has the second- largest hydropower resources in the world and less than 1% of this potential has been developed.  He emphasized that the U.S. Embassy stands ready to assist American companies interested in investing in Nepal.  In closing, the Ambassador noted, “Nepal has enormous hydropower potential and the time to engage with this sector is now.”