Meet Binod Chaudhary, the business mogul turned politician and philanthropist transforming Nepal

Binod Chaudhary, who runs one of the country’s largest conglomerates Chaudhary Group, will speak at this year’s Tatler Gen.T Summit on November 9

Binod Chaudhary is an icon in his hometown of Nepal. The businessman leads one of the country’s most influential conglomerates, Chaudhary Group, which owns more than 110 companies and 76 brands worldwide.

Chaudhary is also Nepal’s first and only billionaire.

A man of many interests, he is also politically involved. As a member of parliament representing the Nepali Congress Party, the country’s main opposition party, he has advocated for political stability, economic development and constitutional reforms.

He also chairs the Chaudhary Foundation, which aims to improve lives, empower communities and help to sustainably develop Nepal.

On November 9, Chaudhary will be speaking at the Tatler Gen.T Summit, our ideas and innovation event taking place at the M+ museum in Hong Kong.

Here are five more quick facts about Chaudhary, from his humble beginnings to his global ambitions. You can also scroll down to listen to Chaudhary discuss risk and sacrifice on our podcast, Crazy Smart Asia.

A family of entrepreneurs

Above A young Chaudhary (Photo: Chaudhary Group)

Chaudhary was born in 1955 in Kathmandu, Nepal. His grandfather, originally from the Indian state of Rajasthan, moved early to Nepal on the invitation of the country’s ruling families to start a textile business in Kathmandu. Later, Chaudhary’s father expanded the family business by launching Arun Emporium, Nepal’s pioneering department store that imported products from India, Japan and Europe.

Joining the family business

Above Chaudhary’s hotel business operates over 143 hotels in 12 countries (Photo: Getty Images)

Chaudhary originally wanted to be a chartered accountant but had to drop out of college when his father fell ill due to heart disease. At 18 years old, he took the reins of the family business, determined to make it even more successful. Today, he credits his network of contacts who he relied on to assist and inspire him whenever he met with challenges.

Over the years, Chaudhary would expand the company into various sectors, such as electronics, cement, steel and hospitality, and grow its global presence, particularly in India, China, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

Wai Wai Noodles: An instant success in Nepal

In 1984, Binod Chaudhary saw an opportunity in Nepal for Thai-style noodles. He noticed that many visitors from Thailand would bring instant noodle packets with them on their trip. So he met with the owner of Thai Preserved Food Factory, who produced the Wai Wai instant noodles brand for the Thai market.

Chaudhary convinced the owner to let him use the brand name and technology, and set up a small production plant in Kathmandu. He localised the noodles with spices and flavours familiar to the Nepalese, and that proved a hit.

The company now produces about 2.5 billion packets of Wai Wai instant noodles every year.

Giving back to society

The Chaudhary foundation has helped fund philanthropic endeavours including helping hundreds of disabled people in Nepal (Photo: Getty Images)

Above The Chaudhary foundation has helped fund philanthropic endeavours including helping hundreds of disabled people in Nepal (Photo: Getty Images)

Beyond business and politics, Chaudhary is a philanthropist who has supported various causes such as education, health, disaster relief and wildlife conservation through the Chaudhary Foundation. The foundation has built more than 3,000 transitional shelters for earthquake victims, provided scholarships for underprivileged students, funded health camps and hospitals, and also supported environmental initiatives such as tiger conservation and reforestation.

Solving Nepal’s poverty problem

Above The billionaire has stated that his ultimate aim is to contribute to the welfare and prosperity of Nepal and its people (Photo: Getty Images)

While he runs a thriving business empire, Chaudhary’s ultimate dream is to see his country and fellow countrypeople prosper, which is why he chose to go into politics.

“You have to live a life you will never regret,” he said in a past interview with Tatler. “If I did have a regret, it would be that while I was able to build a multibillion-dollar company in Nepal, I wasn’t able to do enough for my own country.”

“My country deserves to get out of poverty. I am obsessed with the idea that locals can achieve their aspirations, without suffering, without being exploited. The younger generation of Nepalis reach out to me and ask me to do something to help our nation. This call is what propelled me to try and do my part through politics. I am not sure whether I will be able to get to the top and transform this country, but I know I am going to make a sincere effort.”

Learn more about the other speakers at the Tatler Gen.T Summit.

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Topics

Binod Chaudhary Tatler Gen.T Summit Gen.T Summit Speaker Nepal Billionaire Chaudhary Group Wai Wai Noodles

Tatler Asia

Nepal’s first and only billionaire entrepreneur is also a politician and philanthropist

A family of entrepreneurs

Joining the family business

Wai Wai Noodles: An instant success in Nepal

Giving back to society

Solving Nepal’s poverty problem