Kathmandu, Dec. 18
The government
has expressed its desire to hold public-private dialogue for the development
and growth of the information and communication technology sector in the
country.
Speaking at the
'First Industry – Government Dialogue: Bridging the gap for ICT growth' in the
Capital on Friday, Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel and Minister for
Communication and Information Technology Parbat Gurung and Vice-Chairman of the
National Planning Commission Prof. Dr. Pushpa Raj Kandel have expressed their
desire to listen to the recommendations and grievances of the private sector in
the ICT industries.
The event was
organised by the Computer Association Nepal Federation (CAN Federation).
"The
Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
are ready to hear your voice and grievances. Let's sit together and find ways
to apply technology for the advancement of the society and economic
growth," said FM Paudel.
Stating that the
adoption of modern technology is key to growth, he said that the demand for a
separate mechanism's creation for the implementation of Digital Nepal Framework
was appropriate and the government would find ways to address the demand.
"I would
like to urge the private sector representatives to organise a sectoral discussion
about the challenges and opportunities in the business and recommend the
government for the policy need. CAN Federation can lead in the process,"
he said.
Minister Gurung said
that the government would host a special event to have public-private dialogue
in order to find the ways to facilitate the industry.
"MoCIT will
organise a summit to bring together public and private sectors together to
discuss the challenges in the industry and find possible solution," he
said.
According to
him, Nepal must have technology-friendly and technology-enabled business and
services as soon as possible and human resources should be produced to cater to
that need.
"Expansion
of ICT services to the remote areas and mountains. This is a challenge. I seek
private sector's support in bridging this technological and knowledge gap
within the nation," said Gurung.
He also stated
that the government would like to channelise the Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) of IT companies to the areas where there is a need to establish
IT facilities.
Prof. Kandel
said that the government policy has conceptulised the IT as a supportive
instrument for the growth of other business sectors but no one has thought that
it could be a driver of the growth itself.
He also
expressed his desire to coordinate among the government agencies for the
public-private dialogue.
QR campaign
in the offing
Governor of the
Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari said that the central bank was planning
to launch a QR campaign soon and it would be expanded to vegetable markets as
well.
"Our aim is
to digitalise the payment even in the rural grocery stories and vegetable
markets in Kalimati," he said, "Good governance index of the
countries that have cashless system is good."
Nine digital
payment operators and vendors are in operation in the country.
High taxes
Experts said
that the ICT was one of the heavily taxed industry in Nepal which had resulted
in higher cost of internet and other ICT-related services.
Purushottam
Khanal, Chairman of the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, also said that tax
in the telecom and internet services must be brought down.
He also said
that expansion of electricity is fundamental for the development of ICT in
remote areas.
Industry leaders
said that Nepali business houses use less Nepali software.
"Almost all
commercial banks and telecom companies use foreign software. It might be
because of lack of high-skilled software, customistion and trouble shooting or
after sales services," said Ram Prasad Dhungana, member of Software
Committee at CAN Federation.
Shekhar Golchha,
President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said
that electronic payment and signature must be promoted.
He also said
that the government should facilitate young entrepreneurs with better
investment and business environment. "Cumbersome process and
administrative hurdles have discouraged the IT entrepreneurs most of who are
young and enthusiastic," he said.
CAN Federation
President Nawaraj Kunwar also suggested to lower the taxes and customs duties
in order to facilitate the businesses in the sector.
A recent survey
has shown that there are 5-7 mobile or computing devices in a household.
Devices per household has gone up during the pandemic. About 77 per cent people
have access to internet. The IT industry has about 5 per cent contribution to
the GDP of the country.
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