Stakeholders have stressed on
the need for the internalization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by
the private sector.
Saying that without the
participation of the private sector organizations, most of the SDGs wouldn’t be
achieved, they urged all concerned parties to find ways to engage the private
sector in the process.
Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, former
Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) and former governor of
the central bank, said that the private sector engagement was key to the
success of each SDG.
“Private sector invests in
businesses, infrastructure, renewable energy, urban development, financing and
insuring social and economic services, and creates employment,” he said.
According to Dr. Khatiwada, the
employment generation alone could contribute in achieving multiple SDGs like
poverty alleviation, getting better education and health services, ending
hunger and women empowerment.
“The private sector can
contribute to SDGs through investing in innovation, research and development
for enhancing productivity and conserving factors of production. Similarly, it
can make industrial and business activities environment friendly and
internalize environmental cost associated with private sector activities,” he
said.
However, he pointed towards the
need of having 15 years strategic plan and executing it through periodic plans
to achieve those goals.
Hyungkyoo Kim, Country Director
of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), urged the government to
encourage private sector especially the business companies to be engaged in
SDGs implementation process not just by requesting philanthropic contribution
but by introducing smart investment.
“Companies that introduce
sustainability into their business models are profitable and successful, with
positive returns on capital in terms of reduced risk, diversification of
markets and portfolios, increased revenue, reduced costs and improved products,”
he said.
He said that a strong enabling
environment, with laws and regulations that are clear readily accessible for
all, and that do not impose unnecessary bureaucratic burdens, could be a
critical factor in making the decision to invest.
Sophie KemKhadze, deputy country
director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), urged the
stakeholders to find way to engage the private sector in the SDGs.
She said that the foreign direct
investment should be linked to the global initiative of SDGs to help the developing
word in generating more employment.
Pradip Kumar Shrestha, vice chairman
of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambrs of Commerce and Industry (CACCI),
said that enabling environment would motivate the private sector for more
investment, job creation and play role in economic prosperity.
Suraj Vaidya, President of the
SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and former president of the Federation
of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), remarked that the
political instability has hampered the economic progress of the country.
“We have good policies and
intentions but their implementation is very poor,” he said.
Anil Keshari Shah, President of
Nepal Bankers’ Association and Chief Executive Officer of Mega Bank said that
the private sector was creating wealth and leading in the development works.
“Partnership between the
government and private sector is instrumental in infrastructure development and
SDGs implementation because their success is largely dependent on creating jobs
through economic activities,” he said.
Ambika Shrestha, President of
Dwarika’s Hotel, said that without the involvement of women in income
generating activities, the SDG on gender equality can’t be achieved.
Allen Bailochan Tuladhar,
Director of Microsoft Innovation Center Nepal, remarked that technology always
supported prosperity and urged the government to use the speed and better
management of private sector in development works.
Ajay B. Pradhananga, Managing
Director of Fleur Himalayan Limited, said that infrastructure for research and
sufficient data is needed to make progress in business.
Merina Ranjit, Senior Manager of
CG Corp Global, urged to internalize the SDGs and localize them.
FNCCI Vice President Shekhar
Golchha urged the stakeholders to push for the economic agenda since it is the
only remedy to most of the problems the country was facing.
Confederation of Nepalese
Industries (CNI) Vice President Anuj Agrawal said, “Private sector is at the
heart of the SDGs. Let the private sector flourish, many of the goals will be
achieved.”
The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, are a universal
call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people
enjoy peace and prosperity.
The 17 global goals include new areas such as climate
change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and
justice, among other priorities, to be achieved by 2030.
The programme was jointly
organized by the UNDP, KOICA, Global Compact Nepal, KOICA Alumni Association of
Nepal and Society of Economic Journalists - Nepal (SEJON).
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