The famous American ride-hailing company Uber has launched its service in the Kathmandu Valley from Wednesday. After a long discussion and various preparations, the company has started its ride service in the Nepali market. Uber has also submitted a formal application to the Department of Industries on Wednesday for its business registration in Nepal. Kathmandu users have already started traveling by selecting motorbikes and cars through Uber's app.

Prashant Bohara, Director of the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Branch of the Department of Industries, confirmed that Uber has received an application for registration. 'The department has received Uber's application,' he said. 'The department will study and review the application and take the necessary steps forward.' Uber has been testing its technology in the Nepali market for the last few months. It has been found that it has made strategic partnerships with local 'vendors' for this.  

Uber has made strategic partnerships with local online taxi booking and ride-sharing platforms including Taximandu, Book Cab Now. Uber's entry into Nepal is a significant achievement for the Nepali transport sector, said Arjun KC, founder of Taximandu. 'We are Uber's strategic partner for Nepal. And, we are helping to introduce Uber's technology according to Nepal's geography and local needs,' he said. 

According to KC, the app has been live since Wednesday afternoon. Currently, real-time rides are being successfully conducted along with technology testing in Kathmandu. KC mentioned that this partnership will be for a long time and this model will continue until Uber gains full confidence in the Nepali market. 'It has become easier for foreign tourists since Uber is also operating in Nepal,' he said, 'Drivers who have experience driving Uber in different countries have also seen great attraction.' 

Ashok Dhamala, founder of Book Cab Now, said that the registration and onboarding process of drivers has been accelerated during Uber's arrival in Nepal. He said that about 1,000 drivers have already joined Uber's system. He said that the technology testing is being done in coordination with Uber's India team and the registration information seen on social media has been done with the consent and approval of the official Uber. For now, both motorcycle and car facilities are available on the Uber app, focusing on the Kathmandu Valley. According to both strategic partners, Uber's business team is preparing to visit Kathmandu next week and make more formal information public. The company plans to operate the service in a transparent manner within the scope of local government rules and taxes and to expand the service to Nepal's major tourist cities of Pokhara and Chitwan in the future. 

Uber has also allowed private cars to be used for commercial ride-hailing in various countries. However, the issue of whether private vehicles (red plates) can be used for rent in Nepal has been under debate for a long time. To address this confusion, the government has prepared a draft of the 'Digital Mobility Service Operation Standards 2026' and has started the regulatory process. 

Not only Uber, but also other large American technology companies have shown interest in expanding their business and investing in Nepal, according to American diplomats and technology experts. US Acting Ambassador Scott Abrams, in a meeting with Information and Communications Minister Vikram Timilsina, expressed deep interest in Nepal's information technology sector from the US private sector. The government is also trying to ease the investment environment by removing the minimum threshold for foreign investment in the information technology sector.