International Development Institute (IDI)

International Development Institute (IDI) IDI is a firm based in Washington DC (USA) and works on capacity building. Building Better Future through Knowledge and Cultural Exchanges.

The International Development Institute (IDI) is an international training organization founded and based in Washington, DC, USA. IDI’s focus is to provide tailor-made training programs that enhance the capabilities of public and private sector officials in developing countries. Managed by highly experienced and qualified professionals with a diverse cross-cultural background, IDI seeks to strengt

hen the rule of law and good governance in developing countries and countries in transition by strengthening judicial and local institutions to promote a healthy legal framework for commerce, trade and investment, and protection of individual rights.

Nepal's agricultural future lies not only in what we grow, but in how we create value from it.At the fourth edition of t...
07/22/2026

Nepal's agricultural future lies not only in what we grow, but in how we create value from it.

At the fourth edition of the CEO Dialogue Series in Biratnagar, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and development partners explored how Nepal can transform from a raw agricultural exporter into a globally competitive producer of premium, value-added products. The event was organized by the U.S. Embassy Nepal under the U.S.-Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series, in partnership with the International Development Institute, Aadyanta Advisory, AmCham Nepal, and The Global Impact Initiative, with Nepal Tea Collective serving as the strategic partner.

Key takeaways from the discussion was the remarkable journey of Nepali tea. As highlighted by Amigo Khadka, Co-founder of Nepal Tea Collective, consumers around the world have been drinking Nepali tea for decades, yet many are unaware of its origin. Building a strong "Nepal Tea" brand is essential to capturing greater value and global recognition.

James Bernard, CEO of Global Impact Collective, also stressed the importance of financial innovation and global collaboration in driving long-term agricultural transformation, while Roshan Ghimire, Director of IDI, highlighted Nepal's potential to become not just a producer, but a creator of value in global markets.

Furthermore, the discussion also highlighted the critical role of private-sector investment, innovation, and public-private collaboration in fostering sustainable economic growth and creating new opportunities for Nepali enterprises in international markets.

As Nepal continues to strengthen its presence in premium international markets, collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and development partners will be critical in unlocking the next chapter of agricultural growth.

Announcing international procurement training opportunities!!Join our five-day intensive Leadership Training on World Ba...
07/14/2026

Announcing international procurement training opportunities!!

Join our five-day intensive Leadership Training on World Bank and Other MDBs' Procurement Systems happening from 21-25 September 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. Get a chance to develop your skills in procurement regulations, planning, contract management, and dispute resolution, while building the transparency and accountability practices that drive value for money.

Looking for individuals who are procurement officers, project/M&E staff, government implementers, consultants, and NGO program staff who all need to navigate World Bank or MDB procurement rules in some capacity to be part of this training.

Date: 21st to 25th September, 2026
Venue: Nairobi, Kenya

Register here: https://forms.gle/DAc3UETwVJ9NsLtx9
Or scan the QR code attached in the image.

For more information, please feel free to email us at [email protected]

Announcing our next CEO Dialogue in Biratnagar!We are pleased to feature James Bernard, Co-founder & CEO of Global Impa...
07/13/2026

Announcing our next CEO Dialogue in Biratnagar!

We are pleased to feature James Bernard, Co-founder & CEO of Global Impact Collective and Amigo Khadka, Co-founder & Managing Director of Nepal Tea Collective, for a timely conversation on technology, partnerships, and the future of Nepal's tea and specialty agribusiness.

In this session, James will draw on 30+ years of experience across 50 countries to explore how technology, partnerships, and innovative financing can help transform agribusiness systems at scale, from tea to cardamom and ginger, and Amigo will share the first-hand story of building Nepal Tea Collective from the hills of Ilam into a globally recognised brand.

For this Biratnagar edition, we are inviting agribusiness practitioners, investors, policymakers, and business leaders who want to explore how technology and cross-sector partnerships can strengthen supply chains, unlock financing, and connect Nepal's producers to global markets.

If you are based in Biratnagar or nearby areas and would like to participate, please register in advance. Registration is required.

Date: July 20, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2: 00 p.m.
Venue: Big Hotel, Biratnagar

Apply through the link → https://forms.gle/XpGnFyuZxLKMfd4k7
Or scan the QR code below.

This CEO Dialogue Series is part of an ongoing project of the U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series, organized with support from the U.S. Embassy Nepal, convened by International Development Institute (IDI) and Aadyanta Advisory, AmCham Nepal and The Global Impact collective, with strategic partnership with Nepal Tea Collective.

See you all in Biratnagar!

Last Friday, we organized our third CEO Dialogue, "Supporting Nepali Entrepreneurs through AI Readiness," in Bharatpur, ...
07/13/2026

Last Friday, we organized our third CEO Dialogue, "Supporting Nepali Entrepreneurs through AI Readiness," in Bharatpur, Chitwan, featuring Parag Shrestha, Managing Director – South Asia and Head of Strategy at Fusemachines.

The event was organized by the U.S. Embassy Nepal under the U.S.-Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series, in partnership with the International Development Institute, Aadyanta Advisory, AmCham Nepal, and The Global Compact Initiative, with Fusemachines serving as the strategic partner.

Three powerful numbers—and three compelling voices—defined the conversation as entrepreneurs explored what it takes for Nepali businesses to compete globally and how AI readiness can help them get there.

Roshan Ghimire, Director of the International Development Institute, opened the dialogue by reflecting on 250 years of American independence and 75 years of the Nepal-U.S. partnership. He highlighted how Nepal's growing tech ecosystem can learn from America's entrepreneurial culture and rapid AI innovation, emphasizing that greater collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and partnerships can help strengthen Nepal's emerging technology sector, including the innovation ecosystem in Bharatpur.

The keynote speaker, Parag Shrestha, shared one statistic that captured the realities of entrepreneurship in Nepal: 9 out of 10 businesses fail. Yet, Nepali entrepreneurs continue to build, innovate, and persevere despite an ecosystem that is still evolving to support them. He also spoke about the three pillars now working in Nepal's favor: talent, policy, and artificial intelligence. He said "Nepal has the talent, and the policy opportunities are within reach. Artificial intelligence is the third pillar that can accelerate Nepal's journey toward transformative growth."

Adding another powerful perspective, Rojesh Shikhrakar, AI Education Lead at Fusemachines, shared how the economics of AI have fundamentally changed. He noted that AI's raw intelligence has become nearly 40 times cheaper, transforming it from a specialist technology into an accessible co-pilot for businesses across industries—from finance and manufacturing to agriculture and services.

The dialogue brought together more than 70 entrepreneurs, founders, business leaders, and technology professionals from the Bharatpur region for an engaging discussion on innovation, entrepreneurship, and Nepal's AI future.

The conversation made one thing clear: while challenges remain, Nepal has a unique opportunity to combine its entrepreneurial talent, supportive policy environment, and advances in AI to build globally competitive businesses.

🇺🇸 Happy July 4th and congratulations to the United States on the historic 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Indep...
07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy July 4th and congratulations to the United States on the historic 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
As a global American organization, International Development Institute (IDI) is proud to uphold and advance the American values of freedom, opportunity, innovation, and community partnership. Through our work in entrepreneurship, education, youth leadership, tourism, and local governance, we are committed to building stronger communities and creating lasting impact around the world.
Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

International Development Institute (IDI) was honored to attend the U.S. Embassy's Great State Fair, celebrating the 250...
07/03/2026

International Development Institute (IDI) was honored to attend the U.S. Embassy's Great State Fair, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence. Our sincere thanks to the U.S. Embassy for their gracious invitation, it was a joyous and memorable celebration.

Happy 250th, USA!

Announcing our 3rd CEO Dialogue in Chitwan!We are pleased to feature Parag Shrestha, Managing Director, South Asia and H...
06/29/2026

Announcing our 3rd CEO Dialogue in Chitwan!

We are pleased to feature Parag Shrestha, Managing Director, South Asia and Head of Strategy at Fusemachines Inc., for a timely conversation on AI-enabled growth and business scale.

In this session, Parag will share practical insights on how businesses can identify opportunities, validate market demand, adopt AI strategically, and build a credible investment case. Drawing from the journey of Fusemachines, he will also reflect on the lessons of building and scaling a company from Nepal to the global market.

For this Chitwan edition, we are inviting emerging entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders who want to explore AI as a competitive advantage and understand the practical realities of scaling beyond Nepal, from market readiness and productivity to investment preparedness and global growth.

If you are based in Chitwan or nearby areas and would like to participate, please register in advance. Registration is required.

Date: July 10, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Soaltee Westend Resort, Chitwan

Apply through the link → https://lnkd.in/grZQuQKw
Or scan the QR code below.

This dialogue is part of the U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series, organized with support from the U.S. Embassy Nepal, convened by International Development Institute (IDI) and the Aadyanta Advisory , in partnership with Fusemachines.

See you all in Chitwan!

Most businesses don't lose export deals over quality. They lose them over paperwork.That question sat at the center of o...
06/26/2026

Most businesses don't lose export deals over quality. They lose them over paperwork.

That question sat at the center of our recent Export Readiness Training Session, led by trade expert Mr. Bishnu Prasad Adhikari, Director, Confederation of Nepalese Industries. This session is organized by US Embassy as part of the U.S.-Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series in collaboration with the International Development Institute, Aadyanta Advisory, AmCham Nepal, and the Global Compact Collective. The session brought together Nepali entrepreneurs, producers, and exporters for a practical look at what it really takes to export.

Mr. Bishnu presented the key essential documents needed for export readiness, such as certificates of origin, packing lists, and commercial invoices, and shared his knowledge on how to use B2B platforms and government resources to find buyers and support during the session. He also covered the incentives available to export-oriented businesses, and how systems like the Nepal National Single Window are designed to simplify customs and trade processes.

Additionally, he highlights that Packaging is important and why a closer look at materials like aluminum foil, cardboard, and bulk packaging is needed, and he shares how requirements shift depending on the destination market.

This session was made valuable was the sharing of experience/questions from real businesses on where DFTQC certification for exports is needed, and how navigating the right paperwork and lab coordination is important for export readiness. A pulses producer sharing the processing challenges behind exporting urad dal. Entrepreneurs exploring access to government incentives and the idea of a national B2B platform for Nepali exporters.

Thank you to Mr. Bishnu for a session full of practical, real-world insight, and to every participant who showed up with sharp questions and real businesses on the line.

Yes the products are different, the industries are different but the core challenge remains, which is turning a good product into one that is genuinely export-ready.

More from the Commercial Diplomacy Series is on the way. Stay tuned.

Does Nepal Have the Tools to Tell Its Story to the World?The U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series presented its second...
06/24/2026

Does Nepal Have the Tools to Tell Its Story to the World?

The U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series presented its second CEO Dialogue, "Leveraging Technology and Storytelling for Tourism," hosted in Bhairahawa, Lumbini Province. The event was organized in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Nepal, International Development Institute, Aadyanta Advisory, AmCham Nepal, and The Global Compact Initiative, with strategic partners Veel and Royal Mountain Group.

The first moderated session featured Richa Tandukar, Brand Marketing Manager at Veel, who explored how creators and influencers are transforming travel decisions worldwide. She noted that if just 100 creators produced content for Lumbini, it could meaningfully shift how the world sees and visits this remarkable destination.

The highlight of the event was the CEO Dialogue with Dileep Dhakal, Founder and CEO of Veel, who shared his journey from Silicon Valley to building a platform that connects 350,000+ creators with 300+ brands globally. He presented a compelling case for how Veel can serve as a direct vehicle to build brand value and drive tourism for Nepal, including connecting Los Angeles and Lumbini through technology, and using data-driven storytelling as a marketing tool to amplify the reach and impact of Nepali brands.

The session concluded with Shival Dhakal, Founder of Royal Mountain Group, who drew on his extensive experience to illustrate how digital media has become a cornerstone of Nepal's tourism narrative. He also shared insights from his work with the Community Homestay Network, where a storytelling-first approach to selling community experiences generated significant interest from both national and international media.

The message from all three speakers was clear: Nepal has the story. Storytelling, powered by technology, is the key to unlocking its potential as a global destination. What remains is the commitment to proper, sustained branding.

The program was attended by more than 90 local stakeholders, including hotel operators, travel and tour operators, investors, local entrepreneurs, and journalists.

06/22/2026

U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series: CEO Dialogue on Leveraging Technology and Storytelling for Tourism in Bhairahawa, Lumbini

Join us for a timely conversation featuring Dileep Dhakal, Founder & CEO of Veel, along with tourism and industry leaders.

Together, we will explore how digital platforms, creators, AI-enabled marketing, and storytelling can strengthen Nepal’s tourism brand, attract higher-value visitors, and create new economic opportunities.

Organized by International Development Institute (IDI) and Aadyanta Advisory, with support from the U.S. Embassy Kathmandu, in collaboration with AmCham Nepal and GIC. Strategic partners: Veel and Royal Mountain Group.

Address

6564 Loisdale Court
Washington D.C., DC
22150

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+16102096459

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