Minister Badi, Matheou discuss rehabilitation efforts

 Kathmandu, Sept. 23

Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security Sita Badi held a meeting with Alexander Matheou, Regional Director for Asia Pacific at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The meeting discussed ways to make relief, protection and rehabilitation efforts for people affected by the recent devastating floods in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and surrounding areas more effective. Particular priority was given to ensuring the safety, protection and rights of women, children and other vulnerable groups affected by the floods, the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) informed in a statement.

Minister Badi stressed that, alongside providing immediate relief during disasters, equal priority should be given to the health, safety, psychosocial support and safe rehabilitation of affected people.

In cooperation with the NRCS, the IFRC has been providing humanitarian assistance in flood-affected areas in areas including shelter, food assistance, water and sanitation, health and mobile health services, and psychosocial support.

According to the NRCS, the meeting also discussed ways to make such assistance more organised and coordinated and to ensure that it reaches communities in need effectively.

Minister Badi said the impact of disasters could be more severe on women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, and stressed the need to implement protection and rehabilitation programmes that address their specific needs.

Likewise, she emphasised the need to further strengthen cooperation and coordination among the government, local authorities, the NRCS and international humanitarian partners.

NADA urges swift relief for flood-hit auto importers

 Kathmandu, Sept. 23

The NADA Automobiles Association has urged the government to implement relief measures for the affected importers as soon as possible, as hundreds of vehicles had been imported from China in preparation for the Dashain season.

A delegation led by President of NADA Surendra Kumar Upreti met with Director General of the Department of Customs Yam Lal Bhusal, and discussed the damage suffered by the automobile sector in the recent devastating Bhotekoshi floods in Rasuwa.

Upreti said that the severe floods that hit Rasuwa, Timure and other areas on August 26 had swept away a large number of vehicles imported from China through the Rasuwa border.

General Secretary of NADA Milan Babu Malla said more than 500 vehicles were stranded on the Chinese side of the border because the Chinese border customs point is not reopened. He requested the authorities to facilitate the movement of the vehicles.

He also said that 11-seater electric minibuses had so far not been cleared through customs and requested the authorities to take the necessary initiative to facilitate their release.

Director General Bhusal said that the government was carrying out consultations among the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Infrastructure Development, and Ministry of Home Affairs to determine the modalities for providing facilities and concessions to businesses affected by the floods.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 24 September 2026.     

FNCSI proposes for 'MSME Development Decade'

Kathmandu, Sept. 23

The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) has urged the government to accord national priority to the micro, cottage and small enterprise (MSME) sector.

It also proposed with the government declaring the next decade as an 'MSME Development Decade' to accord focus to the sectoral development.

In a meeting with Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle at his office on Wednesday, the FNCSI submitted a set of proposals that also included providing concessional and collateral-free loans and offering tax incentives to new industries.

"We also called for giving priority to at least 30 per cent domestic MSME products in public procurement, promoting the 'Made in Nepal' campaign, facilitating exports and providing government grants to help industries adopt modern technology," it said in a statement. 

It further proposed a special entrepreneurship package for women and young people returning from overseas employment, a '100 Start-ups–100 Investors' programme, and the introduction of a 'Fast-Track Industrial Service' to expedite government services related to industries.

Likewise, the FNCSI said that collaboration among the government, private sector and other stakeholders could help increase production, employment and exports and build a self-reliant economy.

Responding to the federation’s demands, Dr. Wagle said the MSME sector was a government priority.

Meanwhile, the FNCSI provided Rs. 555,555 in assistance for families affected by the floods.

Its President Shobha Gurung handed over a cheque bearing the amount. The assistance has been deposited into the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.

It also said it was collecting essential supplies for affected families and would distribute them in the affected areas shortly.

The delegation, led by President Shobha Gurung, included FNCSI's adviser Basu Giri, Senior Vice-President Dambar Prasad Regmi, Vice-Presidents Harihar Thapa, Mohan Katwal, Satya Narayan Prajapati, Janaki Pradhan and Guna Raj Dhakal, Women Entrepreneurs Committee Chair Rita Awal, General Secretary Binod Dev Panta, and Treasurer Birendra Jatti, among others.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 24 September 2026.     

Environment Diplomacy Division set up at MoFA

Kathmandu, Sept. 20

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has established an Environment Diplomacy Division to make diplomatic efforts related to climate and environmental issues more institutionalised and effective.

"The ministry decided to establish the division in response to the growing impacts of climate change and in recognition of the need to address these issues in line with current priorities," it said in a statement on Sunday.

Based on an Organisational and Management (O&M) Survey conducted by the ministry, the division has been established under the Economic, Social Development and Environment Diplomacy Section, which falls within the United Nations and Specialised Agencies Division. The new section will be headed by a joint secretary.

"Nepal has been actively participating in national, regional and international forums on climate change and environmental protection. The Environment Diplomacy Section has been established at the MoFA to advance these efforts in a more coordinated and institutionalised manner," read the statement.

According to the MoFA, the new section will facilitate international diplomatic initiatives related to climate and environmental issues and coordinate with relevant national agencies.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said that climate diplomacy should not be limited to participation in international conferences and events but should be pursued as a long-term institutional priority.

“Nepal has been continuously working on climate diplomacy at various international forums. Now, there is a need to take this forward in a more institutionalised manner,” he said. “Climate diplomacy cannot be advanced simply by focusing on participation in events from one UN Climate Change Conference (COP) to the next, or on participation in other programmes.”

He said climate diplomacy must be institutionalised, adding that the Environment Diplomacy Section had been established at the ministry for the time being, with the country's long-term interests at the centre.

Minister Khanal said work would initially be carried out through the section and that its institutional structure could be further strengthened in the future based on requirements and workload.

He also stressed that climate diplomacy should not be pursued only in response to the impacts of climate change and disaster-related events, but that priorities and initiatives in climate diplomacy should be advanced on a regular basis.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 21 September 2026.    

Boost information integrity, says Minister Dr. Timilsina

Lalitpur, Sept. 20

Minister for Information and Communication Dr. Bikram Timilsina said that as information is infrastructure in the digital age, all should work to strengthen information integrity and public trust in it.

"When information is unreliable, public trust erodes," he said while speaking at the Digital Nepal Conclave 2026 organised by ICT Foundation Nepal (IFN) in Lalitpur on Sunday.

He stressed on strengthening the institutions in information and communication sector stating that when such institutions weaken, public will suffer. The future of the modern Nepal will be built upon accuracy, transparency, accountability, and public trustfulness, he said.

Minister Dr. Timilsina, said that the government must ensure reliable and inclusive connectivity, and digital inclusion cannot be limited to urban centres.

According to him, the true test of connectivity is when the citizens in remote mountains have equal access to and facility of ICT tools and services. Affected areas must remain connected when they need it most, mostly during the disasters like the recent Bhotekoshi flood.

He also stated that in order the citizens experience the government as one entity with efficient system, there should be an interoperability across government information systems and platforms.

"The success of digital government should not be measured by the number of platforms we create but by whether citizens can access services more easily, more reliably, and more effectively," he said.

The question is whether our digital systems can continue to serve our people when they need it most, he said. "Can they communicate effectively during a crisis? Can institutions coordinate in real time? Can citizens access critical services and information when systems are disrupted?" he said, "These are no longer theoretical questions but a national responsibility."

Likewise, Dr. Timilsina expressed commitment to strengthening communication systems, improving public access to information, promoting information integrity, and supporting a more connected and resilient Nepal.

"If we must approach artificial intelligence and data governance responsibly, AI presents enormous opportunities for public service delivery, disaster preparedness, education, healthcare, and economic development," he said.

 

Ending digital divide in priority

Sudeep Dhakal, Advisor for Policy, Administration, and Good Governance to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, presented three priorities to steer Nepal towards a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.

Speaking at the Conclave, he suggested that the government efforts should be focused on universal access to technology, promotion of digital economy and good governance and transparency.

According to him, the digital divide between citizens in accessible and remote areas should be ended by ensuring convenient digital access for everyone. An environment for digital service exports should be created by connecting the knowledge and skills of young people working abroad with Nepal, while also opening opportunities for entrepreneurship for young people living in the country.

Likewise, technology should be used to reduce the distance between the state and citizens and make governance processes more accountable.

"Technology is not an end in itself. If we simply digitise poor or cumbersome processes, we will only create digital bureaucracy. Therefore, we need not merely to add technology to government, we need to redesign the way government operates through technology," he said while adding that unless it reduces citizens’ time, costs and inconvenience, its real justification will not be established.

Dhakal said that the transformation has already begun. Work has started on establishing the necessary legal framework, standards and foundations for Digital Public Infrastructure. Through the Nagarik App, arrangements are already in place for citizens to obtain a range of services on their mobile phones, including police reports, certificates issued by the Engineering Council and admit cards for the Public Service Commission, among others.

"In addition, work is progressing to expand the system through Business Process Reengineering of many other services. We are focusing not only on developing this as a digital public service but also on evolving it into a Super App for citizen engagement," he said.

 

Need for public-private partnership

Likewise, president of NAS-IT Deepak Chapagain said that the government, private sector and citizens must collaborate for a digital industry success.

According to him, without the public private partnership digital industry fails.

He called for translating policy into habits, and commitments and paper works into activities, stating that the plans and policies must be executed and benefits should reach the entrepreneurs and common people.

Chairperson of the IFN Razan Lamsal said that the Bhotekoshi disaster has exhibited the need for more robust and resilient digital technologies. The conclave is also themed 'Reimagining digital governance, data and the digital economy'. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 21 September 2026.    

NAS-IT, SNCC organise Tech Roadshow in Zurich

Kathmandu, Sept. 20

Work and achievements of Nepali companies in software and IT, including AI, cybersecurity, product development, IT services, BPO, custom web and application development, cloud infrastructure, and data engineering, were showcased in Switzerland.

The Nepal Association for Software and IT Services Companies (NAS-IT), in collaboration with the Swiss Nepalese Chamber of Commerce (SNCC), organised the ‘Nepal Tech Roadshow Switzerland 2026’ in Zurich, Switzerland to create opportunities for Nepali companies for discussions on potential business collaborations, partnerships, investment, and international market expansion.

The event held on September 16 brought together businesses, technology representatives, investors, and other stakeholders from Nepal and Switzerland to discuss the potential of Nepal’s IT industry and opportunities for international collaboration.

The programme showcased Nepal’s growing ICT sector, skilled workforce, digital innovation, IT export potential, and capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI), software development, cybersecurity, cloud services, data engineering, and digital transformation, the Association informed in a statement on Sunday.

“Every year, we organise the roadshow with the objective of taking the services and technology solutions of Nepali IT companies to the global market,” said Deepen Chapagain, President of NAS-IT.

He said the roadshow provides an opportunity for Nepali IT companies to present their capabilities in international markets and explore new business opportunities and partnerships.

On the occasion, the SNCC shared insights into Nepal–Switzerland trade and technology relations, as well as opportunities for collaboration between Nepali IT companies and Swiss businesses.

Seventeen Nepali IT companies participated in the event and delivered one-minute company pitches, introducing their services, expertise, and technology solutions to the audience.

The roadshow was organised with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). NAS-IT has previously organised tech roadshows in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 21 September 2026.    

SikhAid distributes relief materials in Thulo Syafru

Kathmandu, Sept. 20

Flood relief supplies from SikhAid Charitable Trust, Cuttack, India (Sikh Aid) have been distributed to the people affected by the devastating Bhotekoshi flood in Dhunche of Rasuwa, on Saturday.

The aid has been taken there on Saturday with coordination and facilitation from the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) to support families affected by the devastating flooding in the Bhotekoshi River.

In coordination with NRNA, SikhAid has provided relief materials to 110 affected families in Thulo Syafru of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality–1. The relief package includes 10 gas cylinders, 110 gas stoves, 110 sets of kitchen utensils, 200 blankets and 110 pressure cookers.

The NRNA informed in a statement that a SikhAid team travelled to Thulo Syafru by helicopter on Sunday morning and distributed the relief materials in coordination with the local government and other concerned stakeholders. The team also included Urken Chhiring Tamang, ward chair of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality–1.

Of the relief materials, 90 sets were provided to the most severely affected and economically disadvantaged families in Thulo Syafru, 10 sets are kept for additional needs in Thulo Syafru, and 10 sets are allocated for a monastery in Dhunche. The monastery is also being provided with the materials to support the funeral rites and religious ceremonies of people who lost their lives in the floods.

"NRNA has provided necessary guidance and coordination to SikhAid founder Raunak Singh and the volunteer team, who arrived in Nepal from India with the relief materials, regarding the situation in the affected areas, local needs and the relief distribution process," read the statement.

NRNA is also coordinating and facilitating arrangements with local governments and concerned agencies, as well as transport management, to ensure that the relief materials reach the affected settlements.

Earlier, NRNA and SikhAid had held discussions on providing relief and humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the Bhotekoshi floods. During the discussions, the two sides agreed to cooperate in ensuring that relief distribution was based on local needs and priorities and that available resources reached affected families effectively, the NRNA said.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 21 September 2026.