Ritu Singh Vaidya
President
Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)
Ritu Singh Vaidya
‘Naima Auto Show is not just a platform to sell vehicles, Kathmandu is a common forum for debate on related issues . Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) has expedited preparations for the NAIMA Auto Show-2026 to be held at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu from August 11 to 16.
Talking to Nepal News Bank, Ritu Singh Vaidya, President of NIMA, said that there will be 55 automobile brands and 52 stalls in this year’s auto show. She said that the NAIMA Auto Show has been developed not only as a platform to sell vehicles, but also as a common platform to discuss issues related to policy making, infrastructure development and the automobile industry. According to him, the main attraction of the auto show will be the ‘Learning Session’, where domestic and foreign experts will present presentations on foreign direct investment (FDI), transport infrastructure, traffic management, battery recycling, ethanol blending, financial policy, among others. According to Vaidya, experts on battery recycling and ethanol blending from India have also been invited.
He said that although the number of electric vehicles is increasing rapidly in Nepal, there is an urgent need for policies and infrastructures in this regard in the absence of battery recycling plants.
She said that the auto show has been made more systematic this year, with disabled-friendly structures, rain-safe arrangements, standard restaurants and adequate parking.
Parking will be at Nepal Police Club and a learning session will also be held there.
Vaidya clarified that the auto show to be held before Dashain and Tihar is expected to increase vehicle sales, clarifying that the role of Naima is not limited to business.
According to him, the organization has so far trained around 1,600 people on operating electric and hybrid vehicles in coordination with the traffic police.
She also collaborated with the Department of Transport Management, Nepal Police and various government agencies to improve the infrastructure and improve service delivery. Speaking about the government’
s policy, she commented that the provision of making ‘peak power’ as the basis while determining the tax on electric vehicles was not practical. He said that the classification of tax on the basis of peak power can be changed according to the vehicle’s torque and technical settings, so there will be confusion in price and tax.
She said that there is a need to reconsider the tax burden as a small price change can lead to a large tax burden, especially when the tax is moving from one slab to another. Regarding traffic management, she said that it would not be appropriate to increase the fine without creating lane marking, parking area and necessary infrastructure on the road. He suggested that blatant violations such as not wearing seat belts and drunk driving should be strictly cracked down, but priority should be given to improving the problems caused by lack of infrastructure. To become a member of NIMA, Vaidya said that there is a provision of minimum capital, a fixed period of business operation and an official recognition from the concerned manufacturing company, which has protected the interest and trust of the customers. She also informed that preparations are being made to organize separate exhibitions of passenger and commercial vehicles from next year.
Along with this, there is a plan to organize a separate ‘Automotive Conclave’ on the policy, investment and technology of the automobile industry.
Expressing concern over the sluggishness seen in the economy, Baidya said that the industrialists and entrepreneurs should have some patience as the new government should make basic arrangements for some time.
However, she expressed hope that positive policy reforms should be seen in the next 6 to 8 months.
She invited the public to attend the auto show along with their families and explore 55 brand new vehicles, charging solutions, learning sessions and other attractions.
According to him, all the learning sessions will be free and the participants can also give their suggestions and opinions ।
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