Nepal an Ideal Location for Data Centers, Says CIT Minister Gurung

Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has emphasized that the global digital divide remains a serious concern, and addressing it should be a shared priority for all. Speaking to RSS Sub-editor Madhu Shahi, Minister Gurung shared insights from his recent participation in four international conferences on information technology held in Nepal, Japan, Switzerland, and China.

He stated that access to internet and information technology is now closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, and no one should be left behind in the digital era. Minister Gurung highlighted Nepal’s efforts to promote digital inclusion, noting that the country has launched a digital literacy campaign in 35,000 secondary schools, and called on international organizations, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to support the initiative.

The Minister stressed the need for robust physical infrastructure and skilled human resources to develop Nepal’s IT sector. He expressed concern over the shortage of qualified personnel, particularly in advanced fields such as 5G technology, and has sought international support to bridge this gap.

In his addresses at global forums, Minister Gurung proposed that Nepal is a highly suitable location for establishing data centers, particularly in the cold regions along the Mid-Hill Highway. He argued that such locations would require minimal energy for cooling, making them both environmentally and economically viable. “If realized, Nepal can evolve into a hub of information technology,” he said.

Minister Gurung also revealed that Nepal is making strides in satellite development. Speaking at the ITU conference in Geneva, he shared that Nepal has secured a satellite orbital slot aligned with the country’s coordinates, and basic policy groundwork for satellite operations will be completed within this fiscal year.

At the World AI Conference 2025: High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance held in Shanghai, Minister Gurung said Nepal’s participation was well recognized. He praised Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s remarks on AI innovation, particularly on the risks of its unequal use and the need for global coordination. He said this aligns with Nepal’s Digital Nepal Framework, which envisions the use of AI in agriculture, health, tourism, environment, industry, and disaster management.

Gurung reiterated that e-governance, data centers, and knowledge parks are top national priorities. Reflecting on China’s rapid IT advancement, he noted that visionary leadership and a competent, stable bureaucracy are essential for development. “Nepal can learn from China’s example that a strong foundation in IT is key to national progress,” he added.

Acknowledging that Nepal still lags behind in IT innovation, the Minister said the Ministry is currently drafting an AI policy, along with necessary laws and regulations, which are expected to be completed within the current fiscal year.

He also discussed the importance of the Government Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS) in promoting e-governance. Gurung said the government has urged all offices, federal to local, to adopt the system, and that nationwide implementation will be a milestone in improving governance, service delivery, and revenue generation. “Uniformity in official websites and ambitious digital planning are essential if we are to move beyond small goals,” he stated.

Minister Gurung recently represented Nepal at key international events including the 34th APT Wireless Group Meeting (AWP-34) in Kathmandu, the Asia-Pacific Telecommunication Ministerial Meeting (APT-MM 2025) in Tokyo, the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 in Geneva, and the World AI Conference and Global AI Governance Meeting 2025 in Shanghai.

(RSS)