Short note: Consulting firm registration

An engineering consulting firm provides services such as survey, design, estimating, supervision and project management. In Nepal it must exist as a legal entity and meet the requirements for clients to accept it as a consultant under the Public Procurement Act 2063.

Usual process

1. Choose the form: a sole proprietorship (Private Firm Registration Act 2014) or a partnership (Partnership Act 2020), registered at the Office of Commerce or the Cottage and Small Industries Office, or a private company (registered under the Companies Act 2063 at the Office of the Company Registrar).
2. Register the firm with its name and objectives, stating engineering consultancy services.
3. Obtain PAN and VAT registration from the Inland Revenue Office, and renew the registration every year with tax clearance.
4. Employ qualified engineers who are registered with the Nepal Engineering Council (NEC) in the relevant field and level, as the Nepal Engineering Council Act 2055 requires for engineering practice. Other professional registrations or licences are obtained as required by the concerned authority.
5. Register on the PPMO electronic procurement (e-GP) system to take part in public tenders, and keep experience certificates, audited accounts and staff records, since clients check them when prequalifying consultants. Many firms also join the Society of Consulting Architectural and Engineering Firms (SCAEF).