Managing Director of Bichuten Data World, Naveen Agrawal. (Photo: Nepalkhabar)
Bichuten Data World recently announced the launch of Nepal’s first Tier-4 hyperscale AI data center, drawing immediate attention from the government and investors alike. Spearheaded by Nepali entrepreneurs Naveen Agrawal, Min Agrawal, Anuj Kyal, Bikash Kumar Jatiya, and Sharad Goyal, this 5-billion-rupee (approx. $37 million) project aims to transform Nepal into a regional digital hub.
Against this backdrop, Nepalkhabar talked to Managing Director of Bichuten Data World, Naveen Agrawal, for his views on the company's strategic partnerships with Google and India’s VVDN, and how this venture will impact the country's economy. Excerpts:
What did Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle share with you regarding this venture?
The Finance Minister invited us to understand how the government could support the IT sector. We requested standard policy assistance including electricity subsidies, tax incentives, and customs relief. We explained that minimizing infrastructure overhead allows us to offer competitive salaries and retain top tech talent within Nepal. He was highly receptive and requested a formal proposal to consider for the upcoming federal budget.
What is the meaning behind the name 'Bichuten'?
"Bichuten" is a Japanese word meaning Lord Vishnu. In Hindu philosophy, Lord Vishnu is the protector and preserver. Since the core function of a data center is to protect and secure data, our director, Min Agrawal, suggested this name, and we all agreed it was a perfect fit.
How does an ‘AI Data Center’ differ from existing facilities in Nepal?
While Nepal has over a dozen data centers, they mostly provide traditional data storage for specific institutions like banks or hospitals. Our AI-driven facility acts like a premium digital platform. Beyond standard co-location, we are integrating Google’s platform to deliver advanced AI services, enabling local youth to build cutting-edge digital products right here in Nepal.
How is this project being funded, and what is the total investment?
The total investment for both facilities will be around 5 billion rupees (approx $37 million). It is entirely backed by domestic equity from our investor group alongside a credit facility from Laxmi Sunrise Bank, rated by CARE Rating Nepal. The land in Chobhar (Kathmandu) and Birgunj is leased from our own investors. Once fully operational, the project will directly employ about 200 people.
What inspired a group of businessmen from non-IT backgrounds to launch a data center?
We were looking for innovative, future-proof opportunities. Over eighteen months, we researched the tech landscape and toured advanced data centers in India. Seeing how proactive government policies turned India into an IT powerhouse convinced us that we could replicate that success and build a similar ecosystem in Nepal.
What is the nature of your partnership with Google?
We have signed a 5-year strategic partnership. Google will provide its digital platforms, cloud infrastructure, and vertical solutions tailored for Nepal's banking, agriculture, and healthcare sectors. However, there is no foreign equity involved—Google is strictly a technology partner. The physical servers and data will remain entirely within Nepal under total local compliance.
What role does the Indian IT firm VVDN play in this project?
VVDN is our turnkey engineering partner. They are providing a "one-stop solution"—handling everything from backup power systems (solar and generators) and advanced cooling to hardware installation, software setup, and staff training. Once they hand over the completed infrastructure, our local team will manage operations.
How do you view the future of data centers in Nepal?
The future is entirely digital, but its scale depends heavily on progressive government policies. By localizing digital services, we can prevent the drainage of foreign currency spent on overseas cloud services. Our long-term target is to attract international clients, making Nepal a reliable data hub in South Asia.
There are rumors that you plan to manufacture electronic devices in the future. Is that true?
Yes, but step-by-step. Our immediate priority is finalizing the data center. Since our partner VVDN already manufactures electronics globally, we plan to launch a "Make in Nepal" initiative within a year to assemble affordable, high-quality laptops, tablets, and cameras locally, reducing the country's import dependency.
When will the data center officially go live?
We aim to launch the Kathmandu (Chobhar) facility this August, followed by the Birgunj facility in September. Both locations will debut with an initial capacity of 120 kW (240 kW total), with a roadmap to scale up to 5 MW in the near future.
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