Foreign direct investment (FDI) commitment to Nepal went up by about 15 percent during the first 11 months of current Nepali fiscal year (July 16, 2005 - July 15, 2006), the Department of Industries (DoI) said Friday.

"FDI commitment during the period was recorded at 1.83 billion Nepali rupees (26.14 million U.S. dollars) which was 1.59 billion Nepali rupees (22.71 million U.S. dollars)," the DoI said in a press statement.

The DoI approved a total of 104 projects during the period, while the number was 58 during the same period of last Nepali fiscal year.

"These projects are said to generate additional employment opportunities for 5,511 persons," the statement said.

Nepal received FDI commitment from 24 countries during the first 11 months of the current Nepali fiscal year, while FDI commitment had come from 20 countries during the same period of last Nepali fiscal year, the statement added.

Source: Xinhua