Evidence for building a business in Nepal

How we conduct research

We work district by district. A study begins with a sector scoping visit and a list of registered and unregistered firms drawn from ward records, chamber lists and local referral. From that frame we sample firms that have operated for at least three years.

Field researchers conduct structured interviews in Nepali or the local language, reconstructing start-up capital, monthly cost lines, employment and sales channels. Where owners permit, we review ledgers. Prices are independently sampled at retail.

Findings are checked back with a subset of respondents before publication, and every report states its sample size, sampling frame and known limitations. We do not publish firm-level financials without written consent.