Youth feel used and forgotten: study

Kathmandu, June 27: Youth affected by the armed conflict and the Madhes movements have an overwhelming feeling of having been used and then forgotten, and their sacrifice failed to yield the results they were hoping, concludes a recent study.

“They were powerless then and they are powerless now. They see many issues that still need to be resolved in their society and the country today, but for many reasons, they struggle to engage meaningfully in peaceful action and the social transformation of their communities,” concludes a case study ‘Youth experiences of conflict, violence and peace building in Nepal’ conducted by Search for Common Ground (SFCG).

According to the study, while the youth perceive some benefits for having taken part in movements for social change that address – at least in part – both the structural and political violence, they also feel highly frustrated due to lack of social acceptance and their gradually deteriorating living conditions.

“They feel stigmatised and disadvantaged, and they lack opportunities to meaningfully be engaged in society today,” it further says.

The study has found that the youth affected by the civil war and Madhes movements also felt that the process of reconciliation in Nepal was stalled and incomplete. They have lost faith in this process and its possible outcomes.

It also concludes that there seems to be a growing realisation among the participants of the study that they were exploited and manipulated by the political parties and other forces to engage in violent activities.

“Many have had a serious reflection on these matters, realising the loss they had to bear and what other avenues they can explore,” says the study.

However, the youth involved in the initiatives promoting social cohesion are getting higher social acceptance and recognition.

The study has recommended the local governments to engage the youth in various committees at the local level and have their inputs in development works.

It has asked the central government to devise a national action plan to mainstream the violence-affected youth.

“Promote quality education for all and meaningful employment schemes, address the livelihood needs of the conflict-affected families, increase community and family support programmes, and address drug abuse,” recommends the study.

Likewise, it has suggested addressing the barriers to women’s participation, and offer capacity building to diverse youth in conflict mitigation and resolution.

According to Bhola Prasad Dahal, Nepal Country Director of SFCG, the study focuses on hard to reach youth in seven districts of Nepal – Saptari, Rautahat, Gorkha, Kapilvastu, Ropla, Bardiya and Kailali – that are among the most affected by the conflicts.

A total of 14 focus group discussions, 29 key informant interviews and 12 case story interviews were conducted for the study among 175 youth – 42 per cent female and 58 per cent male.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 June 2018. 

Gaddi Baithak open for public

Kathmandu, June 27: The 110-year-old Gaddi Baithak at Basantapur Durbar Square, which was severely damaged in the devastating Gorkha Earthquake 2015, has been restored to its original British neo-classical form.

The monument at the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the face of the Basantapur Durbar Square was restored with a US$ 700,000 grant support from the US Government’s Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) in partnership with Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief and Department of Archaeology (DOA).

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Charge d’Affairs Peter Malnak of the US Embassy jointly inaugurated the restored building amidst a programme on Wednesday.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Oli said that with the reconstruction of every house and monument, the confidence of the people had gone up.

Appreciating the support of the US government, he said that the confidence between the two governments had increased.

He also said that there was much to do in terms of house, school, health institution and heritage reconstruction. “At the same time, the country should also be prepared for future disasters,” he said.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari said that the restoration of cultural and historical monuments was instrumental for tourism sector.

According to Malnak, this collaborative effort between Nepali and American cultural heritage experts presented an opportunity to restore and seismically strengthen Gaddi Baithak, one of the most important structures of Nepal’s cultural heritage and history.

While restoring this heritage site, engineers specialising in earthquake resilience teamed up with architects experienced in cultural heritage preservation and restoration.  Together they designed and oversaw the restoration of the building, including targeted structural interventions to improve the building’s seismic strength without compromising on its architectural integrity. 

These efforts also used local craftspeople and traditional building materials and techniques to ensure that the Gaddi Baithak is now more resilient to earthquakes and will be preserved for future generations, said the US Embassy.

Mahadev, Khageshwor, Laxmi Narayan and Saraswati Temples at the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a couple of centuries old, were also inaugurated on the occasion.

Through the AFCP’s post-earthquake emergency grant of $200,000, the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) restored and seismically strengthened these Newari style architectural monuments.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 June 2018. 

'Nepal needs productivity master plan'

Kathmandu, June 26: The Asian Productivity (APO) has stressed the need for a robust national productivity master plan for Nepal in order to increase productivity and attract more investment.

“In order to make the country ready for the future, make it able to meet the challenges of rapidly changing world and enhance competitiveness, Nepal should have a productivity master plan,” said APO Secretary-General Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn in an interaction with the journalists on Tuesday.

He is in the capital on a three-day visit to meet senior policymakers and government officials to understand how the APO Specific National Programme (SPO) projects could better address national socio-economic development need of Nepal.

He said that the master plan would involve a public-private partnership (PPP) approach.

“The APO believes that a methodical, systematic master plan must be in place before related activities are undertaken by the National Productivity and Economic Development Center (NPEDC) and relevant private sector organisations,” he said.

According to Dr. Kanoktanaporn, the APO will engage government leaders under Specific National Programme (SNP) that includes a macroeconomic policy advisory dimension in areas such as productivity master plans, productivity, quality and innovation frameworks, and strategic action plans to meet the overarching objectives of the government of Nepal.

He said that the APO is committed to contributing to the socio-economic development of Nepal, specially under the current progressive-minded stable government.

Dr. Kanoktanaporn held discussion with Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav and Secretary of the Prime Ministsr’s Office Lal Shankar Ghimire on the need to ramp up NPEDC capabilities and devise a national productivity master plan.

“The three conluded that there was scope for more targeted policy advisory services and need to develop a master plan through cooperation between NPEDC, Industrial Development Management Ltd (IDM) and the APO, particularly on production and productivity-related matters. The government has welcomed APO expertise in the new phase of development under the stable government,” said the APO in a statement.

The Secretary-General has encouraged Nepal to move toward becoming a globally digital competitive economy. “Digital competitiveness is not only an economic tool but also a policy objective for all countries in this new era,” he said.

According to him, inadequate knowledge, poor technology and lack of future readiness are the reasons behind Nepal’s low productivity.

Nepal is the country with the lowest productivity in the South Asia region.

According to a recent report of the World Bank, Nepal needs a comprehensive approach that will both boost investment and accelerate productivity through breaking down policy barriers, building new sources of growth, revitalizing existing sources of growth and investing in people.

Established in 1961, the APO is an intergovernmental organisation committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region and contributes to the sustainable socio-economic development of the region through policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, and undertaking smart initiatives in the industry, agriculture, service and public sector, reads a statement of the APO.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 June 2018. 

Yadav meets APO secretary general

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav held a meeting with Secretary General of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) Santhi Kanoktanoporn Monday afternoon.

He said that although Nepal had been a member of the APO for the last 57 years, it could not receive the desired support from the organisation and failed to achieve the target.

According to him, the status of the National Productivity and Economic Development Centre's management and financial status is very poor. Programmes for the enhancement of its capacity are needed.

Kanoktanoporn said that his visit was to support Nepal in increasing products and productivity and maintaining the quality.

He also said that Nepal should prepare a national master plan of products and productivity for its primary areas, and APO would extend its support for the programme.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 June 2018. 

‘UAE ready to invest in Nepal’

Kathmandu, June 25: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said that it is ready to invest in areas of comparative advantage in Nepal.

"We want to invest in the areas of comparative advantage, and Nepal needs to initiate the process to sign a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) with the UAE," Under Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the UAE Abdulla Ahmed al Saleh said during a meeting with Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav at the latter’s office at Singha Durbar on Monday.

Saleh is on a two-day official visit to Nepal at the invitation of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to discuss the potential areas of government and private sector cooperation and investment.

He is leading a 26-member delegation comprising UAE government officials and private sector businessmen.

Expressing sincere interest in investing in large infrastructure projects like hydroelectricity and railways in Nepal, Saleh said that the Gulf nation wanted to be a strategic partner in Nepal's development.

"The UAE will send an invitation to Nepal to participate in the Investment Forum conference next year," he said. The conference is an annual event of the UAE government.

He also stated that the UAE would facilitate Nepal in creating a market for its products in the Gulf nation.

According to him, although the UAE is a small country, it has immense economic power, which has attracted huge Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and is a leading exporter in the region.

On the occasion, minister Yadav urged the UAE to invest in skill development centres in Nepal.

"The country urgently needs to provide technical skills to the youth who are leaving the country in search of employment abroad. They should be provided with the opportunities for skill development and enhancement," he said.

He also urged the UAE business community to provide easy entry to Nepali goods and to invest in hydroelectricity, tourism and manufacturing.

He updated the UAE delegation about the recent political developments and government efforts being made at economic development.

"Although Nepal seems to be economically poor for the time being, it will be on the path of economic progress by utilising the natural resources available in abundance across the country," he said.

Industry Secretary Yam Kumari Khatiwada and Commerce Secretary Chandra Kumar Ghimire were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 June 2018. 

PM terms his China visit as 'successful'

Kathmandu, June 24: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that his visit to China was successful in creating a long-term economic cooperation framework and expanding the collaboration base.

“The bilateral discussions between the two governments and private sector investors, and signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on railway, energy, transportation, infrastructure, investment and tourism will have long-term positive impacts on Nepal’s development and bilateral relations with China,” said PM Oli at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) upon his arrival after concluding his 6-day official visit to China.

Among all the cooperation and investment agreements, the MoU on railway connectivity is of prime importance as it has opened avenues to enhance trans-border connectivity, concluded the PM.

According to him, interaction and discussions with the academia and business community of both the countries have contributed to strengthening people-to-people relations between the two countries.

“I believe that my trip to China has had more achievements than our expectations,” he said.

 During his visit, Nepal and China exchanged 13 agreements and MoUs, including those on energy cooperation, bridge construction, using Tibetan Highway, support in investment and production capacity, human resource, school and heritage reconstruction, river control and economic cooperation.

Likewise, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of nine agreements between Nepal and China’s public as well as private businesses.

“These agreements will bring in large amounts of Chinese investment,” PM Oli said.

According to him, in order to expedite the agreement on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), both  sides have agreed to enhance cooperation on railway, road, air and communication connectivity under the framework of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.

“China has agreed to conduct the pre-feasibility study for the development of the Keyrung-Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu railway with Chinese grant, and the project will move ahead at the earliest. It will also create a base for the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini Railway,” he said.

Both the countries also agreed to expand north-south road connectivity. China has agreed to conduct additional study for the development of the Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali economic corridor.

Similarly, airlines of both the countries can conduct direct flights between Nepal and China.

Likewise, Nepal Electricity Authority and Chinese State Grid Corporation signed an agreement to conduct feasibility study of the Keyrung-Rasuwagadhi-Galchhi-Ratmate 400 KV transmission line.

The two neighbours have agreed to operate the Tatopani-Khasa border point from May 2019, upgrade the Syaphrubeshi road and construct a bridge at Hilsa.

China has also agreed to provide support to explore oil and natural gas in Nepal, construct petroleum storage facility and provide economic and technological support for post-harvest technology.

Oli said that China was positive regarding Nepal’s proposal to establish a Nepali Consulate in Chhengdu, to support Nepal in promoting the Visit Nepal Year 2020.

Signed agreements and MoUs:

1.     Agreement on energy cooperation

2.     Agreement on reconstruction of Miteri and Rasuwa bridges

3.     Protocol to use Tibetan Highway for transportation of goods

4.     Agreement on economic and technical support

5.     MoU on investment and productivity support

6.     MoU on facilitating programmes under Nepal-China Cooperation

7.     MoU on enhancing cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries

8.     MoU on human resource cooperation

9.     MoU on river control project in Jhapa

10.  Exchange of letters for the reconstruction of Nuwakot Palace

11.  Exchange of letters for the reconstruction of schools in Rasuwa, Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk

PPublished in The Rising Nepal daily on June 25, 2018. 

For Nepal, from Thailand

Jeewan Sangharsa (Autobiography) by Kumar Karki, Published by Media Service Nepal, ISBN: 978-9937-0-3618-4, Price: NPR: 300, Thai Bhat 200

Nepal was not his country, nor his father's and grandfather's. His forefathers were migrated to Myanmar/Burma from Nepal more than a century ago. They put their utmost efforts to convert dense forest into fertile fields, grew foods and vegetables, did animal husbandry and sold dairy products in the local markets. They continuously struggled to make their life comfortable and to ensure better future for coming generations but the time never improved, nor the story of struggle and hardship.

But, they kept alive Nepali culture including language, festivals and music in such life-threatening hardship in the alien land. He never visited Nepal but, spoke Nepali language, sang Bhajans and folk songs, wore Nepali attire and enjoyed Nepali delicacies during festivals such as Dashain and Tihar. And, it applied to all Nepalis in Myanmar.

He was born in Pamakhendu of Burma. He couldn't complete his high school education, did agriculture with his family and took cattle to graze. But, somewhere in his mind he was thinking that such lifestyle couldn't generate enough resource to lead a comfortable life and he needed to do something different to earn more money, which was not possible in Burma. He went to Mogok, a city in Burma, and worked as a gemstone collector. This job couldn't attract him. One day he left for Thailand in search of better work.

Quite contrary to his dream, he along with two friends left stranded in the mayhem of Bangkok. They had no money, no place to live and no one to support. He slept with beggers under a bridge. Cleaned dishes in a restaurant but more than half his earning was taken by the guy who took him to Thailand. 

In the meantime, he joined a cloth outlet. As he did exceptionally well, the owner opened a new outlet and made him the manager. His dedication to the work impressed another businessman and poached him with almost double salary.

The young man saved money, learned Thai language, made local friends, and one day in 2002, opened his own tailoring shop with 1.5 million Thai Bhat investment. His business is growing ever since. He runs multiple shirting suiting outlets in Thailand, employs more than 200 tailors and 20 other staffs. His brand 'Stylo' has a good market in Europe, America, Asia and elsewhere.

In 2009, he became the President of Thai Nepali Youth Awareness Organisation, and founding vice-president of Thai-Nepali Association (TNA). TNA has 10 branches and about 80,000 people of Nepali origin are affiliated to the organisation which is tirelessly working to preserve Nepali culture, music, religion and other values.

The devastating Gorkha Earthquake 2015 brought him to the country of his ancestors. He came with relief materials and later TNA reconstructed an entire settlement, Majhibasti in Sindhupalchowk district.

This is the story of Kumar Karki, President of TNA. He has come up with his autobiography 'Jeewan Sangharsa' that tells a heart touching story of his ambition, struggle, success and love for his ancestral country Nepal.  

The book offers an education to all Nepalis around the globe in terms of preserving Nepali culture. 'I am surprised now that how could the affection, and care developed for the country where I was not born in nor I visited. Burma is a case study to know how the Nepali culture is preserved,' says Karki. 

Karki's dedication to his work and respect to his workers and customers were the key to success.

'Jeewan Sangharsa' is written in everyday language and can be a good read to all age groups. It will certainly inspire Nepali youth both in and out of the country.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily. 

OCE publishes SEE results

Kathmandu, June 23: The Office of the Controller of Examinations (OCE) has published the results of Secondary Education Examination (SEE) 2018 Saturday evening.

The OCE has published the result of secondary examinations - regular, exempted, Sanskrit and Technical.

According to the OCE, 451,532 students – 223,601 boys and 227,931 girls – appeared in the SEE examination which had replaced the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examination a couple of years ago. The results have been announced as per the Grade Point Average (GPA) system.

Of the total students appeared in the exam conducted in March this year, 14,234 obtained A+ grade, 46,130 got A grade, 59,037 B+, 70,512 B and 61,870 received C+ grade.

Similarly, 11,043 received C grade, 35,584 D+ and 58,666 got D.

Although the number of girls examinees was higher, they have lagged behind boys in the results. The number of boys obtaining A+, A, B+ and B grades is higher than the girls.

While 8,073 boys obtained A+ results, the girls with the same grade are 6,161. The number of boys and girls getting A grade is 25,947 and 20,183 respectively. Similarly, 27,552 and 36,940 boys obtained B+ and B grades respectively while the girls obtaining these grades are 21,485 and 33,572 respectively.

But the number of girls obtaining the lower grades like C+, C, D and D+ is higher than the boys.

Thousands of students and their families had to wait for additional 4-5 hours to see the results due to the technical problems in the computer systems at the OCE.

Though the Office had announced to give results after 4:00 PM in the afternoon, it couldn't publish it before 8:00 PM in the evening, and the official website of OCE was not functional till 10:30 PM in the evening.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 June 2018. 

Bhumi's new showroom in Kupondole

Kathmandu, June 23: Bhumi’s Collection and Boutique has launched its second outlet in Kupondole of Lalitpur.

Film artiste Sanchita Luintel and Swami Anand Arun of Osho Tapoban jointly inaugurated the outlet amidst a programme on Friday.

The company said that it has expanded its business from New Road to Kupondole due to growing demand from the customers. It has announced inaugural discounts on various products.

The fashion outlets are run by fashion designers Mamata Gupta and Manju Kharel.

“As our products are liked by many in and out of the country, we were motivated to launch the new outlet. We will expand our business to other locations in the Kathmandu valley, other cities of Nepal and outside the country, too,” they said.

Bhumi’s is selling its products to the Nepali and foreign customers via courier service, too.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 June 2018. 

CCBL donates computer to Jana Jagriti

Kathmanud, June 23: Century Commercial Bank has donated two computer sets and other educational materials to Jana Jagriti Secondary School in Budhanilakantha Municipality – 11, Jagdole.

Chief Marketing Officer of the bank Ranjan Khadka handed over the materials to School Management Committee (SMC) Chairman Trilochan Poudyal amidst a ceremony at the school the other day.

The items were provided to the school under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme of the bank.

Members of the SMC, Principal of the school and teachers, and bank senior officials were present on the occasion.

The bank has a network of 88 branches, 8 extension counters, 10 branchless banking and 40 ATMs across the country. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 June 2018. 

CBS to create dataset of local bodies

Kathmandu, June 22:

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) is preparing to create a separate dataset of all provinces and local bodies.

As the country has entered into the federal governance system, every level of government needs fundamental statistics in order to plan and implement development programmes, said Director General of the CBS Suman Raj Aryal while speaking at a programme organised by the Institute for Integrated Development Studies to launch ‘Nepal Economic Outlook 2017-18’ and ‘IIDA data portal – Nepstat’.

“We are preparing data set for all 763 governments,” he said.

So far the CBS and other government agencies such as the Education and Agricultural ministries had been collecting and managing data on the basis of erstwhile political divisions: development regions, zones, districts, and municipalities and villages.

But, following the creation of provinces as well as municipalities and rural municipalities entire state setup has been restructured, therefore a new data set on the basis of new political set up is needed, said Aryal.

Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Puspa Raj Kandel said that the 8 per cent growth target, as projected in the budget document of the coming fiscal year 2018/19, was achievable.

“The government has announced the growth target on the basis of various factors such as large infrastructure projects such as Upper Tamakoshi, Melamchi Water Supply and other development projects and enhanced expenditure capacity of the government as well as more investment from the private sector,” he said.

However, he said that the governance should be improved.

Exective Director of the Nepal Rastra Bank Nara Bahadur Thapa said that the country can have up to 12 per cent economic growth so the 8 per cent growth was realistic.

He was criticizing the IIDS projected 4.2 per cent growth for the coming fiscal.

“Government has multiple forward looking initiatives. It seems that the report has undermined those efforts,” he said.

He urged the economists and research institutions to inform and analyse what was happening in the economy currently, and to project the future outlook.

The report has focused on institutional reforms of public education in Nepal as it could potentially improve the quality of public education.

“The reason for focusing on such reform instead of increasing allocated budget in the education sector comes from two reasoning – increasing budget allocation to education sector puts pressure on already existing budget deficit, and if the root of the problem is at the governance and structure of public school system then added resource allocation is not going to have impact on improving quality of public education,” it read.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 June 2018.

UAE interested in infra investment in Nepal

Kathmandu, June 21: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has shown interest in partnering in Nepal’s infrastructure development including hydroelectricity and railways.

Nepal has a huge potential in energy sector and infrastructure development, and the UAE is keen to support it, said UAE Ambassador to Nepal Saeed Al Naqbi in an interaction with the journalists on Thursday.

A 26-member delegation comprising the UAE government officials and private sector businessmen is coming to Nepal this month, upon an invitation of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, to discuss the potential areas of government and private sector cooperation and investment.

“The delegation led by Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade Abdulla Al Saleh will arrive here on 24 June. It will meet the government officials, sectoral agencies and private sector businesspersons the next day,” said Naqbi.

The two countries will discuss about the UAE investment in Nepal, export promotion and other businesses.

According to Ambassador Naqbi, the UAE is interested in extending its support to Nepal on railway administration, hydropower development, and there will be cooperation between the two governments and private sector companies from both the countries.

Approximately 300,000 Nepali are working in the UAE currently. It’s the third largest employer of Nepali workers after Malaysia and Qatar.

UAE wants solution through dialogue

 The UAE has said that its engagement as the Arab Coalition partner in Yemen was concentrated to protecting civilian lives and supplying humanitarian support.

Ambassador Naqbi said that recent seizure of Hodeidah port from Houthi rebels has opened the main gateway for food and other humanitarian support to the people in Yemen.

The coalition of UAE, Sudan, Yemen and Saudi Arabia had launched an assault on Houthi rebels which freed the Hodeidah port but more than 280 people died in the strikes.

“The occupation of the Hodeidah governorate and Hodeidah port was resulted in the Houthis earning over USD 3 billion in revenue which enabled them to finance and prolong the war and their military operations, and it exacerbated the suffering of Yemeni Civilians,” said Naqbi.

According to him, the consistent mismanagement and exploitation of aid assistance reaching Hodeidah port is a direct and clear violation of the UN Security Council Resolution. The Arab Coalition will do its utmost to ensure that the port remains a key access point for humanitarian aid.

However, he said that coalition’s operation in Hodeidah came after more than two years of fruitless diplomatic negotiations with the Houthis.

He also said that the coalition was committed to find a political solution to the conflict in Yemen.

“Our actions are aimed at forcing the Houthis into a political civilian lives, and have now succeed in securing the Airport in Hodeidah,” he said.

The embassy said in a statement that seven UAE aircrafts were available to launch a humanitarian air bridge. More than 14,000 food baskets have already been prepared for urgent aid drops, if necessary.

The coalition has contributed to more than USD 14 billion in humanitarian support to Yemen.

“The UAE will also set up a humanitarian assistance division as part of the Civilian and Military Command Centre in Yemen to provide field support to international aid organisations with the aim of expediting emergency response to civilian in need,” said Naqbi.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 June 2018. 

Nepal lucrative for business, Oli tells Chinese investors

Kathmandu, June 20: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the Chinese investors to invest in Nepal’s potential sectors like manufacturing, hydropower, information technology, services, tourism, mining, and agro-based industries.

“Nepal is a virgin land for investment. A land of immense potentials for investment in the areas of hydropower, agriculture, tourism, services, manufacturing industries, among others,” said the PM while addressing the Nepal-China Business Forum in Beijing on Wednesday, according to the Embassy of Nepal in China.

"Our negative list is very small, and we confidently count on Chinese investment in filling our financial as well as technological gap.  I believe our friend China is willing to do this," he said.

He stated that investing in Nepal now was really a profitable business, and the government was determined to maintain an investment friendly environment, not by word but by action.

“With the end of political transition and strong government in place, situation of law and order in the country has improved remarkably. So is the situation in terms of industrial relations," he added.

China remains the largest source of FDI in Nepal and the second largest trading partner while economic engagement between the two countries has been growing rapidly.

Our focus on trans- Himalayan connectivity will create conducive environment for bilateral trade and facilitate increased movement of goods and services, stated PM Oli.

“Investors always look for market, which is not a problem in Nepal. As you all know, Nepal is located between two vibrant markets of the world, India and China, with a population of over 2.5 billion. Production is the only problem.  Our productive capacity is limited,” he said.

Nepal enjoys Duty Free Quota Free (DFQF) access into Chinese market to more than 8,000 Nepali products.

Nepal has been requesting China to grant enhanced level of market access to 512 tradable products. It also has duty free access to European market and preferential market access to the United States of America for over 70 products as a Least Developed Country (LDC).

“We are committed to further improving business climate in the country. We are ready to do everything that enhances your confidence that facilitate your engagements and that helps you make quick decision for investment,” said the PM.

He also said that the country had enacted the laws and policies on foreign investment, Public-Private Partnership, industrial enterprises, banking and intellectual property.

He said that Nepal was an attractive land for diversified agriculture comprising the arable land just 80 metres above the sea level to the top of the world.

“It is also a lucrative land for investment in hydro sector with more than 100,000 megawatt capacity which remains untapped so far. It has a reservoir of mines and minerals such as iron, cement and precious stones, yet to be explored,” the PM said.

He assured the Chinese investors that the government of Nepal was committed to maintain liberal economic policy with private sector as a key partner, and the present government had no intention to reverse the trend.

He further said that Nepal had low tax slabs, no income tax on earnings of industry exporting its projects established in Special Economic Zones for certain period of time, exemption of tax and tax holidays for certain industries, exemption of duty and fees on key inputs used by an export industry.

“There is a favourable fiscal environment in Nepal,” he said.

Nepal’s law permits full repatriation of income earned from investment and reinvestment, foreign companies registered in Nepal can purchase, own and sell land, and no discrimination is made between national and foreign investors.

Investors also have benefits of cheaper labour force and improved labour law and industrial relations in the country, he added.

PM Oli said that partnership with Chinese investors to complete the priority projects such as cross-border railways, transmission lines and establishment of new international airports, will be very important.

The two countries have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements like Framework Agreement on Promotion of Investment and Economic Cooperation, MoU on Energy Cooperation and MoU on Investment and Cooperation on Production Capacity which will facilitate and reinforce the collaboration between the investors of the two countries.

Nepal has joined the BRI, an initiative launched by President Xi Jinping, he said.

“We believe that this initiative offers immense opportunities for collaboration and partnership between our two countries. Growing attraction of the international community towards BRI has made it one of the biggest platforms for international cooperation,” PM Oli said.

He said that Nepal-China relations are multidimensional that encompass political, economic, social and cultural aspects. 

“Our political relations, which are based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, have always remained cordial and friendly. We share a trouble-free and cooperative relationship. Over the years, our relations have grown both qualitatively and quantitatively," he said.

 He also said that Nepal was committed to One China policy.

“Our two countries are not only good friends but also reliable development partners. We want to create success stories. We believe that China, with its huge financial and technological capability, can help us to transform our development landscape,” he said. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 June 2018. 

PM Oli meets President Xi

Talks focus on bilateral cooperation, cross-border connectivity

Kathmandu, June 20: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called on Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.

The two leaders discussed various matters pertaining to bilateral relations and on ways and means to further expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields, including through cross border railway connectivity, said the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Oli extended his congratulations to President Xi for the successful conclusion of the 19^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2017 as well as of the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in 2018.

The PM also congratulated the Chinese President for successfully holding the 18^th Summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) last week and for assuming the chairmanship of the organisation.

President Xi congratulated Nepal for achieving political stability and outlining economic development priorities and assured China’s full support and cooperation in realising Nepal’s development goals.

Earlier, Prime Minister Oli had laid a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

At a function organised at the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing in the morning, he met with the Nepali diaspora in China.

Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the priorities of the government, and urged all Nepali nationals living abroad, including those living in China, to support the government in its efforts in the socio-economic transformation of the country.

Prime Minister Oli witnessed the signing of an Agreement for Co-operation between Nepal Electricity Authority and State Grid Corporation of China for Feasibility Study of Nepal-China Cross-border Power Grid Interconnection Project.

As per the agreement, the two sides will carry out the feasibility study of the 400 kV Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Galchhi-Ratmate transmission line.

The Prime Minister also witnessed the signing of eight Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) between Nepali agencies and enterprises and their Chinese partners, in the areas of hydropower generation, manufacturing, river training, and agriculture, at a separate function organised at the Embassy of Nepal.

Following the programme at the Embassy, the Prime Minister inaugurated the ‘2018 Nepal-China Business Forum’, jointly organised by the Embassy of Nepal and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

Inaugurating the Forum, the Prime Minister said that Nepal had embarked on the path of peace and political stability following the three tiers of elections under the federal set-up last year, and expressed his confidence that Chinese entrepreneurs would take advantage of the conducive atmosphere and investment-friendly policies of the Government of Nepal for investments in Nepal.

Later in the evening, Li Jiqun, President of the AIIB called on the Prime Minister at the Diaoyutai State Guest House.

PM Oli is scheduled to hold delegation level talks with his Chinese counterpart tomorrow.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 June 2018.