Infra agenda top during Xi’s visit

Kathmandu, Oct. 5

China is the world’s second largest economy with the highest number of people that has unprecedented speed in economic, infrastructural and technological development. And, it is the neighbor of Nepal!


China and Nepal not only share millennia-old bilateral relations but also cooperate in various multilateral platforms. However, this is high time that Nepal should benefit from Chinese technology and expertise in infrastructure development. 


Nepali people aspire for the same from their northern neighbor.

Experts said that infrastructure and trade promotion through connectivity development should be the main agenda during the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. 


“China has expertise in technical and technological aspects of infrastructure development which is not found elsewhere, including the western countries and India,” said infrastructure expert Dr. Surya Raj Acharya, who is the Spokesperson of the Bibeksheel Sajha Party. 


The two countries already have accords for the technology transfer in infrastructure development. But the country has largely failed to reap the benefits of the past Chinese political commitments, said Dr. Acharya. 


“The two countries have agreed to develop cross-border roads and railways to facilitate the flow of people and goods. Nepal should also develop connectivity infrastructure up to Chinese borders,” he said. 


Vice-President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chandra Prasad Dhakal said that greater connectivity between Nepal and China should be the main agenda during Xi’s visit. 


“China should support Nepal in connectivity and it is a matter of happiness that we are moving towards that direction. Another issue that needs immediate attention is trade facilitation,” he said. “China should allow Nepali products that have high export potentials.” 


According to Dhakal, a Chinese bank – whether a joint venture with a Nepali bank or an FDI initiative – is needed in Nepal to facilitate the trade between the two countries. 


Likewise, Chairman of Customs Committee at Nepal Chamber of Commerce Niraj Rai said that the upgrading of the Galchhi-Keyrung road and Barhabise-Tatopani road was instrumental in boosting the trade between the two countries. 


However, he said that Nepal and China should open more border points so that Nepali producers and exporters have alternative options which might boost the export of Nepali goods. 


“If China wants to support Nepal in its economic development, it should ease the export of Nepali goods, especially the agricultural products. Ayurvedic medicines and handicraft are other competitive areas of Nepal which are not facilitated by China,” he said. 


Rai also suggested that the government should ask the Chinese side to promote Nepal as a tourist destination in their government tours as well.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 October 2019. 

Foreign Missions express concern over VAW

Kathmandu, Oct. 5

Embassies of some European countries, Australia and the United Nations in Nepal have expressed concern over the high prevalence of violence against women in the country.

The UN office and the embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom issued a press statement on Friday to express their concern about the violence against women in Nepal.

“While certain cases may still be under investigation, we remind the government on its obligations under international law to ensure access to justice for victims, stand for the victims’ rights and send a zero-tolerance message to combat gender-based violence,” they said. 

They are particularly concerned about the reported impunity for the perpetrators of sexual violence and violence against women, as also stated by the Special Rapporteur on violence against women during her visit to Nepal in November 2018. 

Cases such as Nirmala Panta and Maya BK demonstrate the challenges victims and their families face in seeking justice, read the statement.

According to the diplomatic and UN missions in Kathmandu, the international standards and Nepal’s obligations under international law, as indicated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, require the Government of Nepal to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into allegations.

 “In particular, recommendation No. 35 of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women provides guidance to States concerning their due diligence obligations to investigate all crimes, including that of sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls, and to sentence perpetrators, provide reparations to victims and prevent further violence by addressing the gendered causes and impacts of all forms of violence against women,” they said.  

They pointed towards the need for employing a victim-centric approach.

According to them, such an approach places the human rights, interests and needs of the victims at the centre of any and all actions taken in relation to the allegations, not only in investigations, but also by providing victim assistance and protection, with the principles of ‘do no harm,’ confidentiality, safety and non-discrimination.

They also called upon all relevant state authorities to send a clear message of zero tolerance to any forms of gender-based violence by anyone under any circumstances. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 October 2019. 

NRB shifts its departments out of the HQ

Kathmandu, Oct. 5

Nepal Rastra Bank has shifted its three department offices out of its headquarters in Baluwatar.

Central bank’s research department is shifted to the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA)’s building in Baluwatar. The office was operating from the National Cooperatives Development Board in Pulchok of Lalitpur district after the damage of the head office building in the devastating Gorkha Earthquake in 2015.

Similarly, the Development Banks Supervision Department is shifted to Cooperatives’ Board in Lalitpur, and Finance Companies Supervision Department is moved to NRNA building.

It has moved its offices to other locations as the head office is being reconstructed. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 October 2019. 

China officially launches Industrial Park project in Damak

Kathmandu, Oct. 4

The Investment Board of Nepal (IBN) has signed an agreement with Damak Clean Industrial Park Pvt. Ltd. to develop Rs. 113 billion China-Nepal Friendship Industrial Park in Damak of Jhapa district. 


Chief Executive Officer of the IBN Maha Prasad Adhikari and Managing Director of the developer company Govinda Bahadur Thapa signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply Matrika Prasad Yadav, at a programme organised for the official launching of the modern and ‘high-tech’ industrial infrastructure in Province 1.


The park will be developed in 1,600 hectares of land and will share area in Damak and Gauradaha municipalities and Kamal Rural Municipality on the both side of the Ratuwa River. 


The park will be developed in four phases and for the first phase investment of 586 million US Dollars has been approved by the IBN. However, Thapa said that the total investment in the park would go up to 1 billion dollars (Rs. 113 billion). 


Vice Mayor of Lhasa Municipal People’s Government Liu Guang Min said that the project would be an example of international collaboration in industrial development and be a model in the South Asian region. 


He said that the park will have positive and long term impact on local and national development of the country. 


According to the investors, the park will boost the export sector, particularly non-traditional exports, help in substituting imports, introduce new technology, transfer new skills and expertise to local human resources and earn foreign exchange. 


Lhasa Economic and Technological Development Zone, Jing-Ping Joint Creation Construction Project Development Co. Ltd is the investors of the park. IBN has allowed the developer company to prepare the Detail Project Report (DPR) of the park in August this year.


 After completion of the DPR, the IBN and Damak Clean Industrial Park will sign the Project Development Agreement (PDA). 


Thapa said that the project had completed the acquisition of land required for the park which is being promoted as the first project being developed in the country under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an international campaign proposed and promoted by China. 


“There is a strong political consensus at the local levels to develop the mega industrial park. It will be the most attractive and transparent project in the country and will create a new model of development,” he said.


Adhikari said that the government would put every effort to create business-friendly environment to facilitate investment in priority areas in infrastructure, business and industries. 


The industrial park lies 9 km away from the East-West Highway, 60 km away from Nepal-India border point Kakadbhitta and 65 km from Rani Customs Biratnagar. 


It is strategically located in the area from where access to India, Bhutan and Bangladesh is easy.

It will have facilities like child care centre, gas station, restaurant, bank, insurance, health clinic, government offices, clearing and forwarding services, and management and business consultancy services.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 October 2019. 

India positive to take back the demonetised notes

Kathmandu, Oct. 4

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured that the problem of the demonetized Indian currency notes in Nepal would be addressed. 


In a meeting with Finance Minister Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada on Friday, she said that the issues of demonetized IC notes would be resolved with bilateral consensus between Nepal and India. 


Finance Minister Dr. Khatiwada had urged Sitharaman to take initiation to exchange Rs. 50 million IC of 500 and 1000 denominations stuck in Nepal since the demonetization drive in India. 


Prime Minister Narendra Modi had demonetized large denominations of Indian currency notes in his first tenure. The Indian government had claimed that the move was to discourage the black money in and out of the country. 


Sitharaman also said that the Indian government was concerned to the projects developed in Nepal with Indian support, said Dr. Khatiwada’s Press Coordinator Yaman Poudyal. 


Dr. Khatiwada had updated his counterpart about the status of Indian supported projects like Postal Highway and Integrated Check Posts in Nepal. He urged her to expedite the process to make equity investment from the Indian investors in Nepal Infrastructure bank. 


He also informed Sitharaman that Nepal wanted to use the concessional loan provided by India for the post-quake reconstruction would also be used in infrastructure development. 


Dr. Khatiwada also expected Indian support in reducing Nepal’s burgeoning trade deficit as the country’s two-thirds of trade happens with its southern neighbour. 


The two finance ministers also discussed about the latest economic situation in Nepal, investment climate, economic reform initiatives and trade treaty. 


Dr. Khatiwada is in New Delhi to participate in the World Economic Forum’s conference. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 October 2019. 

CTC offers free mobile insurance

Kathmandu, Oct. 4

CTC Mobile Hub has launched festival offer with free mobile insurance. 

The offer is launched in collaboration with ‘Mero Suraksha’. It will give instant solution to mobile theft, breakage and lost. 

The offer was launched on 22 September and will continue up to 2 November this year and the buyer of any mobile during the period will have a chance to take part in a lucky draw. They can win a scooter or Bali, Indonesia travel package or a laptop as the prize. 

Managing Director of the Hub Sangam Rai said that it was also providing a smartphone to the winner of the lucky draw every day as well. 

According to him, customers can get up to 60 per cent discounts on mobile purchase during the festive offer. It also includes buy one get one free offer. 

Rai said that the Hub will remain open every day except for Bijaya Dashami. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 October 2019. 

Entrepreneurs’ sway on policy leaves tobacco-control in tatters

Nepalis spend Rs. 47 billion on tobacco items

Kathmandu, Oct. 3

Interference from the industrialists and businessmen has left a negative impact on regulation and control of tobacco related products in the country, concluded a recent study. 

A study by the Resource Centre for Primary Health Care (RECPHEC) published on Thursday found that the tobacco entrepreneurs have been promoting tobacco products under various brands, motivating the citizens, especially the young ones,  in taking up smoking and intervening in tobacco related policy making the implementation of law. 

The study was conducted simultaneously in 33 countries. Executive Director of RECPHEC Shanta Lal Mulmi handed over the Nepal report to Director of Health Education Information and Communication Centre Kunja Prasad Joshi in the presence of World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Nepal Country Representative Dr. Jos Vandelaer. 

Nepal is at the eighth position, among the 33 nations, in terms of entrepreneurs’ interference. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are facing higher interference on tobacco policy and markets by the businessmen. 

According to the study, the tobacco entrepreneurs offer economic incentives to the policy makers during the policy making process. They also mislead the government and society in the name of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, and promote tobacco products in cinema and other multimedia products. 

It concluded that the tobacco related products like cigarettes and refined tobacco do not carry 90 per cent colour graphics to warn about the risks they pose to the smokers.

Mulmi accused the government of allowing the tobacco entrepreneurs to damage public health with highest taxpayer’s award to tobacco industries. 

The report mentioned that the discussion and decision of the discussions between the entrepreneurs and the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of Home Affairs or Ministry of Industry are not transparent. 

It has recommended making the income and expenditure for promotion more transparent and providing more responsibility and power to the local bodies and Deputy District Officer in order to minimise the interference of the entrepreneurs in the policy and market.

Dr. Vandelaer suggested that the brand name of tobacco products should be written in the smallest letters.

About 27,137 people die every year in Nepal due to tobacco consumption. Nepalis spend Rs. 47 billion in purchasing tobacco products per annum.

A decade ago, tobacco was the cause of 16,000 deaths a year which has gone up to 27,000 a year now. 

Under Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population Pushkar Raj Nepal said that 31 per cent Nepalis consume tobacco. Of them, about 1 million have serious long-term illness caused by tobacco consumption.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 October 2019.