The Nepali Professional Accountants Foundation (NPAF) successfully hosted its flagship seminar of 2026, titled “Yantra – AI & Innovation,” on 18 January 2026 in Dubai. The seminar was part of NPAF’s ongoing community-led initiatives and was organized by NPAF members residing in the UAE, with event management support from NPAF Management FZC LLC, NPAF’s official management partner in the UAE.
The event brought together Nepali accounting and finance professionals from across the UAE to explore the rapidly expanding influence of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and emerging technologies on the accounting and finance profession.
The program commenced with a welcome address by CA Santosh Khanal, Chairperson of NPAF. The event was honored by the presence of H.E. Hari Prasad Odari, Consul General of Nepal to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and CA Jai Prakash Agarwal, President of the ICAI (Dubai) Chapter, who shared their best wishes and highlighted the growing global relevance of AI and innovation in professional services.
Special guests Manoj Marahatta, Founder of the Dubai Nepalese Influential Group (DNIG), and Amulya Khanal, Core Member of DNIG, also graced the event with their presence, reflecting the importance of collaboration across professional and community networks.
The technical sessions featured a distinguished panel of speakers followed by an engaging panel discussion. CA Mahendra Khiani, Director at KPMG Middle East, presented “AI That Works, AI That Misleads,” offering a balanced view on both the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence in professional practice. Padam Sundar Kafle, CEO of vCodes, delivered insights on “AI and the Future of the Finance Profession: From Compliance to Strategic Leadership,” emphasizing how finance professionals must evolve in a technology-driven environment. CA Sanjay Gagarani, Partner at Premier Brains Global, shared practical perspectives on the UAE business ecosystem and the implementation of e-invoicing.
The seminar concluded with participants gaining valuable insights into how emerging technologies can be effectively integrated into their professional roles. NPAF reaffirmed its commitment to empowering accounting and finance professionals through timely, relevant, and practical knowledge-sharing initiatives, contributing to a skilled and future-ready workforce in the UAE.
Editor’s Note
While the initiative taken by NPAF is commendable and reflects the growing professionalism of Nepali experts in the UAE, the strength of the Nepali diaspora lies in collective growth and open collaboration.
Professional bodies and community organizations must move beyond limited circles and work hand in hand with the wider Nepali community in the UAE—including business groups, youth platforms, professional networks, and grassroots initiatives. Knowledge, leadership, and opportunities grow exponentially when shared openly.
A more inclusive, collaborative, and community-oriented approach will not only strengthen individual professions but will also elevate the overall standing of the Nepali community in the UAE. True progress comes when expertise meets unity.
— Editor