Yangki Ukyab Appointed CEO of Investment Board Nepal

Kathmandu — The Government of Nepal has appointed Yangki Ukyab as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Investment Board Nepal (IBN), entrusting her with the leadership of one of the country’s most important economic institutions. The Board plays a central role in attracting domestic and foreign investment, facilitating major infrastructure projects, and promoting sustainable economic development.

Yangki Ukyab brings more than 15 years of professional experience in public policy, investment, and economic development. She holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Missouri in the United States. Throughout her career, she has worked with international organizations, government institutions, and policy research organizations on issues related to investment, economic growth, and sustainable development.

Before assuming her new position, Ukyab served as a Senior Policy Adviser at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Office in Fiji and as a Development Economist at UNDP Nepal. She also worked for more than four years as a finance and investment consultant at Investment Board Nepal, where she gained firsthand experience in investment facilitation and strategic project management. In addition, she has conducted policy research through the Nepal Economic Forum and has worked on development initiatives in countries including Fiji and Cambodia.

Her professional expertise covers a wide range of areas that are directly relevant to Nepal’s development priorities, including green growth, climate-resilient infrastructure planning, public finance, federal fiscal management, digital transformation, foreign direct investment (FDI), and the facilitation of large-scale infrastructure projects. These areas have become increasingly important as Nepal seeks to strengthen its economy and attract quality investment.

Investment Board Nepal was established in 2011 under the Investment Board Act with the objective of accelerating Nepal’s economic development through large-scale investment. The institution was later strengthened by the Public-Private Partnership and Investment Act, 2019, which expanded its responsibilities in promoting strategic investments and implementing public-private partnership (PPP) projects. Chaired by the Prime Minister, the Board serves as the government’s highest-level institution for coordinating and facilitating major investment initiatives.

The primary responsibility of Investment Board Nepal is to serve as a one-stop investment facilitation agency for large and strategically significant projects. It works closely with government ministries, regulatory bodies, development partners, and private investors to simplify administrative procedures, coordinate approvals, and improve Nepal’s investment environment. The Board also promotes both domestic and foreign direct investment while supporting projects in key sectors such as hydropower, transportation, tourism, information technology, industrial development, renewable energy, and urban infrastructure.

Over the past decade, Investment Board Nepal has played an important role in facilitating several of the country’s largest infrastructure and energy projects. By coordinating among different government agencies and engaging with international investors, the Board has become a key institution in Nepal’s efforts to generate employment, improve infrastructure, expand energy production, and stimulate long-term economic growth.

Yangki Ukyab’s appointment comes at a time when Nepal is placing greater emphasis on attracting quality investment and improving the country’s competitiveness in the global economy. With her strong academic background, extensive international experience, and previous service within Investment Board Nepal, she is expected to provide strategic leadership in advancing investment promotion, strengthening public-private partnerships, and supporting Nepal’s sustainable economic development agenda.