The post NRNA: NPI’s Maiden Public Policy Plan 2019-21 for Nepal Soon! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.
]]>As a global initiative of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), NPI has been actively focused on social and economic development of Nepal.
In a recent move, NPI has decided to unveil its Strategic Plan (2019-2021) for the country’s development at a plenary session of the first Global Knowledge Conference to be held in Kathmandu during October 12-14, 2018.
“After 10 months of internal preparation, NPI is all set to unveil its Strategic Plan for 2019-2021 and this will be NPI’s first public presence while the team was working internally for several months,” says NPI Chair Khagendra Dhakal.
As part of its plan, NPI will be presenting eminent speakers to discuss development policies of Nepal, Dhakal adds.
To a question on what different NPI will make compared to the other existing think-tanks, Dhakal clarified saying, “NPI is not to take other’s space in Nepal but to strengthen think-tank and public policy research, analysis and advocacy ecosystem in Nepal through collaboration, partnership and exchanges.”
Dhakal was confident in saying that NPI makes difference with its swift, wide range and multi-angled strategy recommendations for effective implementation of the country’s public policy.
“What makes NPI unique is that it will bring the world resources to Nepal and bring Nepali experience to the world by promoting Nepal in the global arena,” adds Dhakal.
According to Dhakal, NPI will be a consortium of Nepali-origin public policy experts, practitioners, researchers and consultants globally working in collaboration and partnership with people and institutions working in the interest of Nepal and Nepali people, including Nepali diaspora.
NPI aims to work as a border-less organization working and connecting Nepalis, globally.
Focus & Priorities
As the first step in its strategy, Dhakal said they would work with the National Planning Commission (NPC) towards identifying national needs and priorities before deciding on the final action plan.
NPI’s current list of core activities includes labor migration, utilization of remittances, revenue & expenditure management across the provincial & local levels, international investment, trade, and tourism.
Besides, the organization has some long-term priority tasks including R&D for economic diversification, value addition in health, environment, agriculture and natural resources, and meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under UN 2030 Agenda.
NPI’s plans as part of the Global Knowledge Conference 2018 include:
Former Nepali Foreign & Finance Minister Bhekh Bahadur Thapa is going to chair the session that will be moderated by NPI Chair Dhakal.
NPI will finalize its strategy based on the inputs of the session, informed Dhakal.
The Background
NPI is a result of NRNA’s 15-year-long journey across the global network and emerged out of a dire need for policy institute in Nepal as part of NRNA Vision 2020 and Beyond.
The concept of NPI was first tabled at the NRNA Convention 2017 along with the vision document, which received a wide applaud from the global diaspora.
Further, NPI was integrated with the Constitution and the current President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed Hongkong-based Dhakal as its Chair for further development.
In the next 10 months’ time after the prior announcement, NPI spread its wings with a new steering and research committees and formed its medium-term Founding Strategic Plan.
Now, the organization is all set to present its Strategic Plan (2019-2021) for Nepal as part of the Global Knowledge Conference during October 12-14, 2018.
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]]>The post SDGs: Public Sector to Play Vital in Nepal’s Sustainable Development appeared first on Nepali Sansar.
]]>Out of the required annual investment of USD 17 billion, public sector is expected to hold a major share of 51 percent leaving 21 percent contribution to the private sector and the remaining share to NGOs, households and cooperatives.
Majority of the public investment is expected to be allocated to poverty alleviation, agriculture, health, climate change, water and sanitation, education, transport infrastructure and governance.
Meanwhile, the private sector investment will be made for industry development, physical infrastructure, housing, urban infrastructure, tourism and energy sectors.
“But, the government’s revenue and private sector investment will not be sufficient to attain SDGs by 2030, requiring huge amount of foreign aid,” noted the report.
SDGs, a follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that expired in 2015, include a set of 17 goals and 169 targets involving a broad range of development issues such as fighting poverty and hunger, health coverage, gender equality, quality education, and all aspects of inclusive and sustainable development.
NPC’s National Sustainable Development Review Report 2017 reported significant progress in few of the country’s SDGS up to June 2017.
Poverty (SDG 1): The percentage of Nepali citizens below poverty line has declined from 38 percent in 2000 to 21.6 percent in 2015.
Hunger and Nutrition (SDG 2): NPC reported Nepal’s significant progress in reducing hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition. Proportion of underweight children, prevalence of stunted children, among other relevant indicators have registered a decline over the last 10 years.
Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3): Nepal has also seen a significant progress in addressing health concerns among its populace. The country achieved a gradual progress in controlling infant mortality rate (64/1000 live births in 2000 to 32 in 2016), number of pregnant women going for antenatal checkups by skilled workforce, proportion of births in health facilities, among others.
Gender Equality (SDG 4): Nepal saw a notable development in terms of ensuring gender equality and women empowerment. A significant improvement in gender parity can be observed across the education institutions, among other areas across the country.
Inclusive Industrialization (SDG 5): Infrastructure development has seen a significant traction in Nepal over the past few years, which is evident in country’s road, rail, air, tourism, communication, industry infrastructure facilities.
Means of Implementation (SDG 17): The report noted a concern in the availability of resources to finance the achievement of SDGs. Highlighting the role of adequate finance, technology, institutions, capacity and partnership vital for SDGs, the report also indicated a positive growth in terms of partnerships among private players, cooperatives, civil society, development partners and the international community for achieving sustainable development.
Towards addressing the existing concerns and achieve SDGs, NPC suggests the country to have strong governance across federal, provincial and local levels.
The Planning Commission also suggests macroeconomic policy reforms for economic growth and bringing in a balance among the poor and marginalized communities.
Pitching on the need for effective management of resources needed for achieving SDGs, the Commission suggests the government to prioritize interventions based on fiscal, financial, managerial, technological, institutional and other capacity constraints.
NPC also suggests the Government of Nepal to design sectoral plans and long-term strategies in line with SDGs, and also integrate SDGs across all levels of Nepali society.
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]]>The post Nepal Expects 30% Rise in Revenue Collection in FY 2018-19 appeared first on Nepali Sansar.
]]>According to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Nepal, the revenue collection over the next fiscal is expected to see a 30 percent rise standing at around Rs 950 billion, around Rs 220 billion more than the current fiscal target of Rs 730 billion.
According to Finance Secretary Shankar Prasad Adhikari, this target can be achieved through control of under-invoicing practice and boosting inland tax revenues such as Value Added Tax (VAT) and Income Tax (IT).
“The target is quite ambitious, but if we’re able to control under-invoicing, we’ll be able to achieve it,” says Shankar Prasad.
The government is also planning to increase revenue generation through domestic debt to Rs 153 billion from the previous year’s revenue of Rs 145 billion.
“If the economy grows by six per cent this fiscal, we can easily raise Rs 153 billion through domestic debt, which is an ideal ratio of domestic debt to gross domestic product,” says Prasad.
Besides, the Finance Ministry is also expecting Rs 17 billion surplus revenue from the unspent budget of the current fiscal.
Apart from this, the government’s reliance on foreign aid for grants, loans and technical assistance for budget financing is expected to touch the Rs 450 billion mark.
The government’s dependence on the foreign funding is expected to see a substantial rise in the coming fiscal to meet the domestic development needs across provinces and local bodies.
Towards this end, the government is planning to welcome around Rs 286 billion as foreign investment.
The current fiscal saw a budget allocation of Rs 232 billion with Rs 225 billion for local bodies and Rs 7 billion for provincial levels.
The new Nepali Government, yet to be formed, will undertake the formulation works of new budget for 2018-19 fiscal.
The initial estimation of the federal budget for the 2018-19 fiscal is yet to be presented at the Resource Committee meeting led by the Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) of Nepal.
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]]>The post UNDP: Public-private Partnership for Nepal’s SDGs Discussed appeared first on Nepali Sansar.
]]>The program, organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Republic of Korea (RoK) in Nepal, witnessed the participation of various representatives from the concerned organizations.
Speaking on the theme, “Role of private sector for sustainable development”, the representatives stressed on the need for public-private partnership for achieving SDG goals of Nepal.
Global Compact Nepal Vice-Chair Pradeep Vaidya called for public-private partnership for progress in Nepal’s SDG targets.
Highlighting the role of private sector, the representatives called for the creation of investment-friendly environment for the private sector to contribute to the country’s efforts to alleviate poverty.
While stating that Nepal holds good potential in various sectors such as agriculture, among others, the participants urged on the need for drawing foreign investment in Nepal.
In his address at the program, the National Planning Commission Vice-Chair Dr Swarnim Wagle informed that the local governmental policies and regulations are also in line with the Nepal’s UNSDG goals.
“Nepal has witnessed significant improvements in the areas of health and education in the recent years and the government is doing a role of facilitator to promote domestic and foreign investment in big projects,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Secretary at the Ministry of Industry Yam Kumari Khatiwada informed that the government has created a friendly environment to ensure skill development and employment at home.
RoK’s Ambassador for Nepal Park Young-Sik felt agriculture, tourism and hydropower sectors are key for Nepal’s SDGs.
UNDP Resident Representative in Nepal Valerie Julliand called for special focus on economic growth for attaining SDG goals.
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]]>The post 10th South Asia Economic Summit in Nepal appeared first on Nepali Sansar.
]]>The three-day summit, to be held during November 14-16, 2017, is expected to witness a participation of more than 200 delegates, including Members of Parliament, ministers, senior government officials, planners and leading think-tanks and researchers from South Asian countries.
The main theme of the SAES 2017 is to strengthen economic stability in the sub-region for the inclusive and sustainable development, informed a press release by the National Planning Commission (NPC) Nepal.
NPC Nepal and the Ministry of Commerce, Government of Nepal are jointly organizing the summit in collaboration with the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE).
SAES 2017 will have 18 different sessions that would discuss wide range of topics including employment generation, trade facilitation, climate change, international labor migration, regional trade and tie-ups in power trade, measures for disaster management and Intellectual Property (IP) issues related to herbs, among others.
This regional economic platform has been successfully addressing various key issues and developmental challenges of South Asia and has emerged as an effective medium for regional integration and economic collaboration, says the Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission Swornim Wagley.
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]]>The post 8th NRNA International General Assembly and Global Conference appeared first on Nepali Sansar.
]]>The President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari, Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, officials of the National Planning Commission of Nepal and other key officials from NRNA and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry inaugurated the event on October 14, 2017.
The four-day event, being held from October 14-17, 2017, has brought together 70,000 Nepalis living in 77 countries and is witnessing a participation of more than 2,000 delegates.
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is the Promotional Partner for the event that is being supported by various other stakeholders and associations.
Event Date and Time:
Date: October 14-17, 2017; Time: 10 AM – 6 PM
Location:
Kathmandu, Nepal
Contact Info:
NRNA Global
Shahid Shukra FNCCI Milan Marg Teku, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: (+977-1) 4215247, 4262255
Email: info@nrna.org
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]]>The post NRNA General Assembly: Non-Resident Nepalis Urged to Invest in Nepal appeared first on Nepali Sansar.
]]>The President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari called on the Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) community to invest and play a key role in the country’s overall development.
“Following the promulgation of the constitution, Nepal is entering a phase of economic development and Non-Resident Nepal Association (NRNA) should be a part of it. There is favorable atmosphere for investment in tourism, hydropower, education, health and infrastructure in Nepal,” said the President on October 14, 2017.
Bhandari stated this in her inaugural address at the ‘8th NRN Global Conference and NRNA International Assembly, currently being held in Kathmandu.
Highlighting Nepal’s potential in education, hydropower, tourism and manufacturing, among other sectors, the President said, “This is the appropriate time for NRNs to make contribution by bringing in investment, skill and technology.”
The President also appreciated the non-resident Nepali community’s contribution to relief, rescue and reconstruction measures post the 2015 earthquake, landslides and recent floods in August 2017 that hit the country very badly.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara called on the community to play a key role in exploring and expanding markets for trade abroad.
“The knowledge, skills and capital gained abroad should serve as the catalyst for Nepal’s development,” said Mahara.
The event, being held from October 14-17, 2017, has brought together 70,000 Nepalis living in 77 countries and is witnessing a participation of more than 2,000 delegates.
The new NRNA leadership for the upcoming two-year period will also be announced at this four-day event.
In her address, Bhawani Rana, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) also termed this as the right time for investment in Nepal.
Citing key happenings such as local elections, amendments to key provisions such as company and labor acts Rana said, “These developments have reduced the cost of doing business in the country. This is the right time for the investment.”
“Investing for the prosperity of Nepal by utilizing the hard-earned capital and skills abroad was one of the prime objectives of NRNA,” Shesh Ghale, NRNA President said in his address.
Addressing a plenary meeting titled ‘Nepal Vision 2030 and NRNA’s Role’, post the inaugural session, Swarnim Wagle, Vice-Chairman of National Planning Commission of Nepal sought a phenomenal rise in NRN’s investment above the existing level.
A 2015 survey, commissioned by NRNA and undertaken by the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON), puts NRNs’ investment in Nepal at Rs 29.85 billion across the country’s nine districts and also highlights their 67 business ventures that generated employment to 8,276 Nepali citizens.
The survey reports around three-fifth of NRNs’ investment in Nepal in the services sector alone. However, the NRNA President Ghale says the actual investment would be higher than the surveyed figure and is spread across the 75 districts of the country.
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]]>The post Developed Country Status for Nepal Mulled appeared first on Nepali Sansar.
]]>Nepal will upgrade from the level of Least Developed Countries (LDC) to join the list of developed countries by 2022, said a National Planning Commission’s (NPC) key official in a recently-held seminar.
In his address at the National Consultation Seminar held by Least Developed Countries (LDC) Watch, NPC Joint Secretary Lal Shanker Ghimire informed that the Commission has set a goal of upgrading Nepal from the LDC group by 2022.
According to Ghimire, this was a step forward from the Commission’s previous objective set in its 12th periodic plan of upgrading Nepal by 2030.
Ghimire opined that tackling corruption, upholding good governance and bringing political stability for extensive growth and social development are key to achieve the said goal.
Meanwhile, LDC Watch’s International Coordinator Gauri Pradhan pitched on the need for positive socio-economic development in Nepal. Pradhan felt that Nepal could possibly reach the list of developed countries between 2017 and 2024.
On the occasion, the civil society organizations endorsed a 12-point Kathmandu Declaration Paper.
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