Kathmandu: Foreign firms pledged to invest Rs 30 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year.

According to the Department of Industry, the foreign investors have sought to install 122 firms in six different sectors. Chinese investors sought to invest Rs 23.54 billion in 101 firms, which makes around 79 percent of the total pledged amount.

Sector wise, Rs 15.95 billion has been pledged in 35 firms related to the service sector. During the review period, Chinese investors expressed their interest to invest Rs 600 million in four firms related to agriculture and forest resources.

Similarly, Rs 56 million was pledged for an energy related business while Rs 450 million was committed for installing six firms related to information and communication. Foreign investors sought to invest Rs 3.24 billion in 19 manufacturing industrial units and Rs 9.55 billion in 55 tourism-related businesses.