Yanki Ukyab named CEO of Investment Board

The government has decided to appoint Yanki Ukyab as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Investment Board Nepal (IBN), making her the first woman to lead the country's premier investment promotion agency. The decision was approved at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, according to government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel.

IBN is responsible for approving large-scale domestic and foreign investment projects in the country. 

Ukyab, a public policy professional, was selected following a competitive recruitment process overseen by a recommendation committee led by the Finance Minister and IBN Vice-Chair Dr. Swarnim Wagle. The committee also included National Planning Commission Vice-Chair Gunakar Bhatta and the Prime Minister’s adviser on policy, administration, and governance, Sudip Dhakal.

The committee shortlisted eight candidates She emerged as the successful candidate from a pool of eight applicants after a series of presentations and interviews. The committee ultimately recommended Ukyab alongside Manoj Paudel and Jitendra Dhital for the Cabinet’s final decision.

Ukyab is a development economist and public policy professional with experience in international development, investment, and economic policy.

She holds a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Oxford.

Earlier in her career, Ukyab worked at the Investment Board Nepal for over four years. She later joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), serving as a Senior Policy Adviser and Development Economist. She has experience working in Asia-Pacific countries, including Fiji and Cambodia.

As CEO, Ukyab will serve a four-year term and also act as the Member Secretary of the Investment Board. The Prime Minister serves as the Board’s Chairperson, while the Finance Minister is its Vice-Chairperson.

She succeeds former CEO Sushil Gyawali, whose tenure ended following legal changes introduced through a government ordinance earlier this year.