Experts stress on trade diversification

Kathmandu, June 20: Chairman of the Legislature-Parliament's Development Committee Rabindra Adhikari Monday said that the country couldn't be truly sovereign until trade and transit were diversified.

Speaking at a discussion on 'Post disaster assessment: Blockade 2015-16', he urged to move away from excessive dependence on a single trading partner for essential commodities.

Sharing his experiences of travelling across the postal highway in the Terai, Adhikari identified it as lifeline for national integration.

"Infrastructural connectivity should play a key role for integrating different geographic regions and thereby promoting overall national integration," he stated.

Chandra Kishore Jha, journalist and political commentor based in Birgunj, criticized the government for protecting the black marketers during the blockade.

"Because of the protection provided by the state to key players of the black market, it flourished and went beyond control." 

He said that the state had been Kathmandu-centric and was indifferent to the concerns of the bordering areas which was exemplified by the fact that during the blockade as well, getting supplies to Kathmandu was viewed as the priority ignoring that people along the border were also suffering due to the supply shock.

He urged to view the social relations as key capital in the economy. "Dissatisfactions in the Terai-Madhesh gave rise to the blockade as a by-product of the unrest. It heightened the discord in the social relations," Jha stated.

Dr. Surendra Labh, social researcher and political commentator, expressed serious concerns to the social acceptance of black market and dangers of that becoming the dominant norm in the society.

He mentioned that corrupt attitude was celebrated in society and local socialization process congratulated the people with material wealth.

Dr. Mallika Shakya, professor at the South Asian University, New Delhi, stressed on the need to view the blockade ordeal through the lenses of 'Southasianess'.

She said that India was using blockade as a regional political tool as it had exercised it in terms of Bhutan and Nepal quite recently.

The key themes that emerged during the course of discussion revolved around the need for social transformation; in order to prevent corrupt attitudes becoming the new normal, moving towards a self-reliant economy through diversification of trade and transit, and demanding accountability from the government.

The discussion was organized by Nepal Economic Forum and Alliance for Social Dialogue.