Kathmandu, November 20, 2025
Nepal’s consulting industry, which began taking shape in the early 1970s when government agencies started engaging private professionals for small-scale engineering projects, has evolved significantly over the decades. Despite steady growth, sector experts argue that policy support, regulatory frameworks, and enabling environments have not progressed at the same pace, limiting the industry’s full potential.
To address these concerns and strengthen sectoral advocacy, the Society of Consulting Architectural & Engineering Firms, Nepal (SCAEF) was formally registered on November 20, 1990 under the then His Majesty’s Government. The organization gained national recognition as the official representative body of consulting firms on August 15, 1996. Later, on February 22, 2005, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works was designated as the line ministry responsible for overseeing SCAEF and its members. Furthermore, the Public Works Directives of January 2002 made registration with relevant professional societies mandatory for firms seeking to be shortlisted for proposal submissions in public infrastructure projects.
Continuing its longstanding role in strengthening Nepal’s consulting ecosystem, SCAEF today successfully hosted the National Conference on “Upcoming Challenges of Consulting Firms in the Current State of the Nation”, coinciding with the celebration of the 35th SCAEF Day. The program brought together leading engineering and architectural consulting firms, government representatives, and sectoral stakeholders to discuss regulatory gaps, professional capacity-building, policy reforms, and future opportunities in Nepal’s evolving development landscape.
Industry representatives emphasized the importance of cohesive government coordination, improved standards for project implementation, transparent procurement systems, and the need to enhance Nepal’s competitiveness in regional and global consulting markets.
As Nepal advances major infrastructure initiatives-from transportation and hydropower to smart urban development-the conference emphasized that a robust consulting industry is crucial for ensuring technical excellence, innovation, and sustainable project execution.
SCAEF officials reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for policy reforms and strengthening professional standards to support Nepal’s engineering and architectural consulting sector in the years ahead.
