Prosperity comes with skilled HR: PM Deuba

Kathmandu, Jan. 7

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has stressed the need for creating policy framework and design programmes to develop and manage human resources in order to realise the national aspiration for the prosperity.

"There is a need to prioritise policies and programmes for the development and management of human resources. The government is sensitive about identifying manpower for sectoral need and design skill and capacity building programmes," he said while addressing the HRM Awards for Corporate Excellence 2021 organised by Corporate Club Nepal Pvt. Ltd. in the Capital on Friday.

 Stating that the importance of human resources has significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Deuba suggested the stakeholders to apply more creativity in human resource management at the times of crisis.

According to the PM, effective management of skilled and experienced manpower is the main foundation of a successful economy. "The government is seriously observing the fact that the speed of an economy is determined by the productivity of the human resources," he said.

Expressing concerns to the migrant Nepali workers, he maintained that the country has challenges to create good employment opportunities in the country, discourage the labour migration and develop human resources in Nepal. Likewise, PM Deuba said that the government has taken positively the suggestions to revise the present education system to create skilled and competent human resources and make projections about the future need of manpower.

Institution builders awarded

The organisers awarded professors Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma, Dr. Sanduk Ruit and Dr. Bhagwan Koirala with 'Institution Builders' for their distinguished services in creating successful institutions like the Kathmandu University, Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology and Sahid Gangalal Heart Centre.

Ganesh Bahadur Shrestha is awarded with 'Lifetime Achievement'.

Teach for Nepal bagged 'Social Enterprise' award, and Sasto Deal received 'Start-up Award' for their distinguished services.

Likewise, corporate excellence awards were presented in 13 sectors. Excellence in leadership is awarded to Anupama Khunjeli, Chief Executive Officer of Mega Bank, and Hari Bhakta Sharma, Executive Director of Deurali Janta Pharmaceuticals.

Likewise, corporate excellence award in 'manufacturing' was presented to Kiran Shoes Manufacturers, 'financial services' to Muktinath Bikas Bank, 'insurance services' to Shikhar Insurance Company, 'IT/ISP services' to Dish Media Network, 'hospitality service' to The Soaltee Kathmandu, 'health service' to Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, and 'pharmaceutical industry' to Quest Pharmaceuticals.

Similarly, Butwal Power Company won excellence award in 'hydropower service', Nimbus Holdings in 'agribusiness', and eSewa in 'fintech service'.

Mohan Ojha, chairperson of the awards steering committee, said that the awards were launched to promote good practice in the corporate sector.

"These awards are designed to show honour and facilitate the corporate leaders contributing to the business growth and people offering their service selflessly. We want to create positive vibes in the business and society," he said.

He said that a jury had followed a rigorous process to select the deserving companies and candidates from many.

Speaking at the programme, Vishnu Kumar Agrawal, President of Confederation of Nepali Industries (CNI), said that skilled human resource that can meet the demand of job was crucial for the success of any business.

"But unfortunately, we have a situation where there is labour migration to foreign countries while businesses and industries are not getting enough manpower, this gap must be filled at the earliest," he said.

Rajendra Malla, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, pointed to the need for devising strategy to utilise the skills of migrant youth and young people who want to run business in Nepal.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 January 2022.