Kathmandu- Nepal registered 654 new industries between mid-July and mid-April, attracting investment commitments worth Rs 447.75 billion, according to the Department of Industries.

Among the registered firms, 549 are small industries, accounting for 83.94 percent of the total. The department also registered 48 medium-sized industries (7.33 percent) and 57 large industries (8.71 percent).

The new industries are expected to generate employment for 33,186 people. Foreign investment commitments were secured in 189 industries, totaling Rs 41 billion. The department approved 426 foreign investments through the automatic route, with 615 foreign investment projects approved overall.

During the review period, the department conducted 57 Initial Environmental Examinations (IEEs) and issued certificates of origin for exports to India.

The energy sector received the highest investment commitment, with 24 projects attracting nearly Rs 233 billion. The service sector ranked second, with 60 industries securing around Rs 101.45 billion, followed by 183 tourism-based industries with commitments worth Rs 59.51 billion.

Agriculture and forest-based industries received Rs 25.96 billion in commitments across 21 projects, while 106 manufacturing industries secured Rs 25.99 billion. In the information technology sector, 251 industries attracted Rs 1.19 billion in investments. Nine mineral-based industries received commitments worth Rs 655.6 million.