Kathmandu-The Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) officially launched today, with a compelling message: “Empowering Growth through Mobility.” The event brought together key industry leaders, policy influencers, and stakeholders from across the automobile and mobility ecosystem. The event was chaired by Ritu Singh Vaidya, the first chairperson of NAIMA and the first woman to hold this position in Nepal’s automotive sector. In her keynote speech, she outlined the association’s vision, mission, and its five foundational pillars.

Vaidya outlined NAIMA’s vision: “The Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) serves as a unified platform for representation, strategic collaboration, development, and to advocate the collective voice of Nepal’s mobility sector at both national and international levels.” NAIMA’s mission centers on driving progress through strategic advocacy, innovation support, and collaboration. The association aims to be a catalyst for change, working with government bodies, the private sector, and civil society to shape the automotive ecosystem that enables

“MOBILITY FOR ALL”

Vaidya added: “To proactively shape Nepal's automotive landscape by advocating for progressive policies, enabling sustainable innovations, empowering consumers through education and awareness, championing road safety and infrastructure development, fostering workforce excellence, and promoting a collaborative ecosystem, thereby establishing NAIMA as the unified voice and a trusted authority for the industry's growth and societal benefit.”

At the heart of the association lie five foundational pillars:

Mobility Solution for All,

- Safety and Infrastructural Enhancement,

- Policy and Regulatory Advocacy,

- Human Capital & Industry Best Practices,

- Consumer Empowerment & Shared Mobility.

She emphasized that NAIMA is Nepal’s first non-politically aligned association, founded on principles of voluntary leadership and unanimous participation, with a vow to never hold elections, but instead promote consensus-based decision-making. During the event, Vaidya also introduced the founding board members of NAIMA, Mr. Suhrid Raj Ghimire, Mr. Shekhar Golchha, Mr. Cabinet Shrestha, Mr. Saurabh Jyoti, Mr. Sandeep Kumar Sharda, Mr. Nirakar Shrestha, Ms. Yamuna Shrestha, Mr. Nikunj Agrawal, Mr. Hemant Golchha, and Mr. Udayan Kabra, highlighting their roles,

underscoring their shared commitment to steering the organization with integrity, foresight, and a collaborative spirit. A highlight of the program was the official announcement of the Nepal Mobility Expo—set to become Nepal’s largest mobility exhibition. The announcement was led by Mr. Gaurav Sharda, member of the NAIMA autoshow committee, who unveiled the expo’s logo, and event dates—6th to 10th August 2025 (21st to 25th Shrawan 2082)— drawing enthusiastic applause and anticipation from the audience. Sarda introduced Media Space Solutions as the event

manager, and presented further details of the upcoming Expo, including the venue—Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu—the range of exhibitors, thematic zones, and a call for participation and registration. The Nepal Mobility Expo promises to be a milestone event that will showcase cutting-edge mobility solutions, and the evolving mobility culture in Nepal. The program concluded with reflective and encouraging remarks by Mr. Suhrid Raj Ghimire, founding board member, who expressed gratitude and affirmed that this marks a new beginning.