Kathmandu, Aug 11: The Naima Nepal Mobility Expo 2026 has kicked off in Kathmandu under the organisation of the Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA).
NAIMA Chairperson Ritu Singh Vaidya and Nepal Police Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki jointly inaugurated the expo.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Vaidya stressed the need for stronger cooperation between the government and private sector to make Nepal’s automobile industry more modern, sustainable and well-managed.
She said NAIMA, which started a year ago with 21 member companies, now has 36 members. Bringing automobile businesses together on a common professional and responsible platform and contributing to the development of Nepal’s mobility sector remain the association’s key objectives, she said.
Vaidya also called on the government to introduce stable and predictable policies to protect investment and employment in the automobile sector.
“Frequent policy changes and unclear interpretations create uncertainty for businesses,” she said. “The government must consult adequately with stakeholders before introducing any new policy or regulation.”
Vaidya said NAIMA fully supports the government’s goals for clean transportation and sustainable development. She added that the association would promote electric vehicles, hybrids and other advanced technologies.
She also stressed the need to increase the use of Nepal’s own clean energy resources and reduce dependence on petroleum products.
According to Vaidya, mobility should not be viewed simply as the buying and selling of vehicles. It should also be linked to people’s access to education, healthcare and employment.
“Mobility is not a luxury, it is a basic requirement for national development,” she said. “Safe roads, clear traffic rules and reliable infrastructure must remain our priorities.”
Pointing to the lack of a well-equipped exhibition and convention centre capable of hosting major international events in Nepal, Vaidya urged the government to invest in such infrastructure. She said a modern facility would benefit not only the automobile industry but also tourism and other business sectors.
The six-day expo, being held at Bhrikutimandap, features vehicles and auto parts from 55 brands. More than 40 new vehicles are also scheduled to be launched during the event.
Alongside the exhibition, experts and policymakers will discuss the future of Nepal’s transport sector through a series of Mobility Dialogues.
Vaidya invited the public, students and other stakeholders to visit the expo, explore new technologies and take part in discussions on the development of Nepal’s mobility sector.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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