- Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Kathmandu, May 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the government has a policy of promoting the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, simplifying the investment process.
Inaugurating the ‘Nepal-EU Business Forum’ organised here today on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishment of Nepal-EU diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Dahal shared that the government was committed to ensure openness for business.
“Nepal’s policy of creating a strong economic structure increases international partnership and helps in economic expansion,” he explained.
Stating that there was enthusiastic participation of more than 50 countries across the world in the recent investment summit held in Nepal, the PM said a message that the international community was excited to investment in Nepal was disseminated.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister underscored that Nepal was ready for further collaboration with EU-member countries in Nepal’s effort of bringing in foreign investment, according to PM Dahal’s Private Secretariat.
Stating that Nepal has the goal of graduating from the least developed country status until 2026 and of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the Prime Minister pointed out the need of adequate investment and transfer of the required technology by the foreign partners to fulfill these goals.
He shared on the occasion that the government has recently initiated the ‘automated route’ for foreign direct investment up to Rs 500 million and expressed the belief that with this initiation will enter the managerial capacity and capital in Nepal.
“We have approved some applications for investment received via the automated route. We have been trying to strengthen our initiatives through the international partners. This will bring not only capital but also the technical and managerial expertise in Nepal,” he said.
Making it clear that the Government of Nepal has given priority to the environmental sustainability and the green economy that is practicable, Prime Minister Dahal said the government is consistently carrying out works on the promotion of renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture practices and attainment of environmental goals.
“Our development activities are in harmony with the national interest and the global environmental objectives. Nepal is always committed to the Paris Agreement and we have been actively including the climate actions in our development plans and programmes,” he added.
The Prime Minister reiterated that Nepal is committed to reach the zero carbon emission milestone by 2045 despite of the resource and capacity gap, and the constant challenges invited by the climate change.
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Press for the planet: Time to reinforce environmental journalism
Narayan Prasad Ghimire
Kathmandu, May 15: In the first week of May, the world celebrated a significant day- Press Freedom Day (May 3). Nepal also joined the bandwagon. Various media associations and CSOs working on press freedom observed the day, organizing different programmes across the country.
The media organizations and CSOs alike hailed the free press for a democratic system and informed society. They were further given a boost by political speeches that they were for respect of press freedom.
Undoubtedly, a free press enables other pillars of democracy, thereby making the system functional. It not only bridges people and government but also holds public agencies and officials accountable so that governance is expected to keep people’s concerns in centre. Only free press can seek truth to power. Exposure of financial sleaze and administrative malfeasance requires a robust, independent and fear-free journalism.
Similarly, press cannot remain aloof from the unfolding developments that bear significance to any society or country. A mere relay of information is not enough to make media effective but becoming a helpful tool to seek solutions to the pressing problems by drawing attention of the concerned stakeholders.
In this regard, the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day was quite relevant: ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis.’ The environmental and climate crises are the defining global problems. These however have a disproportionate impact, warranting concerted actions and investments. Nepal itself is the case that despite having a zilch role on climate crises, it is in the forefront of this world catastrophe.
As we, Nepalis, pride on the provision of ‘full press freedom’ mentioned in the very preamble of constitution, how the Nepali press has functioned as a public good and whether it is bringing to fore the burning issues of time need analyses.
It is fair to say that Nepali media is largely dominated by political contents. With this, the social and environmental issues are pushed to the inner pages or are occasional media agenda. At a time when the print media have massively cut the pages owing to financial slump, these have been secondary issues for journalists’ concern, resulting in underreporting. Even the online news media are facing a dearth of finance to fund the reporters.
Conclave dodges discussion
It was worrying that a recent conclave of Nepali journalists, FNJ, held in the federal capital, Kathmandu hardly discussed the theme of this year’s Press Freedom Day. The event termed as a policy convention was swayed by the issues like membership clean up (suddikaran), dispute on founder of the guild, inclusion and award distribution. The journalists’ leaders could take initiatives to whet debate on such a meaty issue of time and share knowledge along with the capacity building of fellow journalists, but the conclave fell flat on this point.
Similarly, when it comes to exposure and opportunities to know more about environmental and climate crises, the journalists are evidently foisted in the foreign junkets e g in global climate event, COP. But, informed and meaningful coverage and adequate follow ups to such global event to remind the policymakers, State and other countries are insufficient.
In-depth stories awaited
In a question this scribe made to an investigative journalist and columnist, Namrata Sharma, she viewed general experience and information are relayed rather than diving deep into the pressing issues like environment and climate crises in Nepal.
“Women, children and elderly ones suffer most in the environmental crises. But, Nepali media reporting is not in-depth on this appalling situation,” she said, adding that very few media are writing compelling stories about the climate crisis to which Nepal is in the front and suffering much.
According to her, even the stories on Nepal’s progress in environment conservation are underreported. “Many countries are still unaware of Nepal’s increase in forest coverage and tiger population. These are worth celebrating matters in the national and international forums, but only relay of information on such significant issues weakens our status. This area warrants investigative journalism,” Sharma reiterated.
As Sharma said, Nepali media are yet to report well beyond general reasons on the forest fire that the country witnessed recently at scale. The dry season or careless smokers hurling cigarette butts to shrubs, or similar delinquencies are reported as causes behind forest fires, while seeking scientific causes behind it are in dearth.
Revive environmental journalism
As the environmental and climate crises are deepening in Nepal, the role of environmental journalism needs to be augmented. But the media coverage has showed the environmental journalism is in decline in recent times as per media observers and noted journalists.
“Nepal was a champion in environmental journalism in the entire south Asia since the very beginning of the practice of free press in the country. Recent years have witnessed a gradual decline in it, resulting into underreporting of burning issues of environment and climate emergencies,” said Rajendra Dahal, a noted journalist and editor of the Shikshak monthly.
Remembering the heyday of environmental journalism, editor Dahal argued the environmental journalism is in a dire need of revival. In his observation, environmental and climate issues are carried more by the civil society than media in Nepal at present.
One of the reasons behind lackadaisical environmental journalism in Nepal is a hastily generalized perspective that it is a donor-driven issue, while the country is afflicted much with environmental scourge. Similarly, the sustainability of support and training institutions for these critical matters deserves equal attention, according to him.
Declaration on climate crisis and FoE
As the theme of this year’s Press Freedom Day suggests the entire world is engrossed in the environment and crisis emergencies and how free press can contribute from its side to lift the planet and people out of the deadly factor.
In this regard, a joint declaration on the climate crisis and freedom of expression (FoE) was issued by various FoE-related organizations from the US and Africa, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression on May 3.
In the declaration, they emphasized environmental journalism to study meticulously the climate actions and foster public debate. ‘Access to information on environmental and climate issues, public participation and civic engagement, access to justice in climate and environmental matters and protection of marginalized groups’ are other key areas the declaration focused.
The above declaration also substantiates that the concerns surrounding planetary health took a centre stage in this year’s observation of the World Press Freedom Day.
It is worth reminding that the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have underlined climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution as triple planetary crises.
Relief to earth is respite from toxicity
Finally, Nepal is not new to these, as it is already on the top row to bear the brunt of these blights. It is time the Nepali media whetted further debates with compelling stories on these serious concerns. Periodic and event-based concerns to such shocking realities of time are inadequate to see results that reduce the impacts. The exhausted earth needs relief, and the relief to earth is the respite to humanity from toxicity. Here lies the role of independent journalism that helps pierce the pachyderm ears of those exhausting the earth and force them to correct the policies and practices, thereby whipping the esurient and extractive cabals- in the country and the globe.
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Blood bank established at Bharatpur Hospital
Bharatpur (Chitwan), May 15: A blood bank has been brought into operation at Bharatpur Hospital in Chitwan. Mayor of Bharatpur metropolitan city, Renu Dahal, inaugurated the blood bank.
On the occasion, Mayor Dahal expressed the belief that with the operation of blood bank, it would be easier to patients visiting Bharatpur hospital to get blood during their treatment.
Blood bank was necessary at Bharatpur Hospital as the demand of blood is high following the huge number of patients in the hospital, Mayor Dahal mentioned, adding there is lack of infrastructure, staffs and equipment in the hospital.
The metropolitan city was ready to collaborate to expand and add more services in the hospital, she explained.
The blood bank, which is in operation at Block ‘B’ of the hospital, has now the capacity of storing 200 units of blood.
Sharing that blood bank is minimum service standard of the hospital, Hospital Chairperson Raju Poudel stressed that the blood bank was established for the convenience for the patients.
Similarly, President of Nepal Red Cross Society, Chitwan, Hari Poudel, mentioned there is a demand of more than 100,000 units of blood in Kathmandu Valley-based hospitals and 60,000 units of blood in Chitwan-based hospitals annually.
Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Shreeram Tiwari, said the blood bank was brought into operation at the hospital from a long effort.
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Over 90 per cent of people in Madhesh province lack access to insurance
Birgunj (Parsa), May 15: A 90.6 per cent of citizens of Madhesh province is out of reach of insurance. The total population of Madhesh province is 6 million 114 thousand.
Attraction towards insurance is less here due to the lack of awareness about insurance and the practice of buying insurance schemes across the border from India.
Nepal Insurance Authority, Madhesh Province Office said that only 573 thousand and 433 people or 9.4 per cent of the population have purchased insurance policies in the province. This statistics shows that members of the general public have less attraction towards insurance.
NIA Madhesh Province Office chief Kushum Sharma said that because the access to insurance in Madhesh province is low, it is necessary to advance the plan to insure the people of the entire province in coordination with all three levels of government.
“Access to insurance in Madhesh province is seen to be low. Since the economic and health level of the people here is weak, it is necessary to develop the practice of providing insurance to the people of the whole province by coordinating all three tiers of the government,” he stressed.
According to him, like the Karnali provincial government had provided insurance to all the people there, there is a need to insure all the people in the Madhesh province as well, and the authority is ready to provide necessary facilitation for that.
Not only in Madhesh province, the access to insurance is not satisfactory for the citizens of the country as a whole.
Unitil April 12, 2024, only 43.3 per cent of the population across the country has access to insurance. Still 56.7 per cent of the population is beyond the reach of life insurance. By 2075 BS, 17 per cent of people across the country had access to insurance.
Assistant Director of the NIC Madhesh Province Office, Nirmal Khanal opined that the lack of knowledge about insurance literacy among the citizens of the Province and the tradition of purchasing insurance policy of Indian insurance companies in the border market has reduced the access to insurance.
“Due to high poverty and illiteracy in the Madhesh province, the idea that one should buy insurance policy has not developed among the lay people. Due to the Indian border market, the practice of purchasing insurance policy of Indian insurance companies from across the border, we have not been able to increase the general public’s attraction to insurance as expected,” he added.
Khanal explained that the attraction towards insurance has not increased in the Madhesh province due to the tendency to seek unfair benefits from insurance, lack of human resources in the branches/sub-branches of insurers and not giving priority to insurance because of misunderstandings about insurance.
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Trade Facilitation Guide to Export Pashmina from Nepal launched
Kathmandu, May 15: A comprehensive guide for Pashmina export was launched aiming to facilitate small-scale businesses in exporting Nepal’s Himalayan Chyangra Pashmina products to targeted major international destinations.
The ‘Trade Facilitation Guide to Export Pashmina from Nepal’ was jointly unveiled by Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director General, Directorate-General for International Partnerships (INTPA) of European Commission, and Ambassador of European Union to Nepal, Veronique Lorenzo, Baburam Adhikari, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and Dhan Prasad Lamichhane, president of Nepal Pashmina Industries Association amid a function organized at the Nepal Pashmina Fibre Processing Facility in Lalitpur.
Also, Joint Secretary Adhikari, DDG Ferran and Ambassador Lorenzo jointly inaugurated the Fiber Processing Facility which was established with technical support from the EU-Nepal Trade and Investment Programme. The plant has been processing fibre collected from Chyangra farmers and supplying it to Pashmina producers.
As part of the European Union’s broader support in strengthening the Pashmina value chain, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) developed the guide with technical support from the EU-Nepal Trade and Investment Programme implemented by the International Trade Centre, the Embassy of the European Union in Kathmandu stated in a press release today.
This guide is specifically tailored for major international markets such as Japan, the European Union, the USA, and the UK, for enhancing the Nepal’s Pashmina export endeavors.
The guide elaborates step-by-step processes, encompassing firm registration, licensing, directives, customs, shipment, and logistics procedures. Moreover, it offers insights into the import requirements specified by destination countries, shedding light on tariffs, quality standards, shipping costs, timeframes, and the essential documents needed along with other crucial trade information.
Amidst the deficit of knowledge about international market and trade-related information among Nepal’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the newly unveiled guide is expected to serve as a crucial tool to assist the entrepreneurs in navigating the export-related formalities and procedures as well as quality requirements to make them more competitive on the global stage, it is stated.
Nepal’s Himalayan Chyangra Pashmina holds a distinguished position in the international market due to its unique quality and cultural significance. The ‘Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2023’ has identified Chyangra Pashmina as a highly prioritized exportable product.
Similarly, the ‘Pashmina Sector Export National Strategy 2022-2026’ aims to elevate Pashmina exports to USD 75 million mark by 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, joint secretary Adhikari said, “Nepal’s Himalayan Chyangra Pashmina holds a distinguished position in the international market due to its unique quality and cultural significance. The government of Nepal has designated Pashmina as one of the high-priority exportable products. The guide launched today is poised to become a useful source of information about the process for Nepali Pashmina exports, offering comprehensive information about our destination markets.”
DDG Ferran said, “As a longstanding partner in Nepal’s development journey, the European Union reaffirms its unwavering dedication to bolstering Nepal’s prosperity through enhanced trade and investment avenues. This comprehensive guide serves as an instrument to support the Pashmina value chain to harness the immense potential of Nepal’s Chyangra Pashmian in the international market.”
Through a video message Ashis Shah, Director of Division of Country Programme of International Trade Centre said, “We are pleased to contribute to the development of this guide, recognizing its significance as an essential resource, particularly beneficial for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in deepening their understanding of the export process and the quality standards required by destination countries”. He expressed that he was confident that this guide would prove instrumental for exporters, equipping them with the necessary tools to navigate the dynamic terrain of international markets effectively, thereby augmenting Nepal’s competitiveness in Pashmina exports.
Dhan Prasad Lamichhane, President, Nepal Pashmina Industries Association expressed that NPIA is grateful to EU-Nepal TIP and the Government of Nepal for producing this guide tailored for Pashmina entrepreneurs. They have full confidence that this guide will play a pivotal role in advancing the export of Nepal’s Chyangra Pashmina in crucial international markets.
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UML PP meeting focuses on government’s policies and programmes
Kathmandu, May 15: A meeting of the CPN (UML) parliamentary party is in progress now. The meeting is focused on government’s policies and programmes.
In the beginning of the meeting held at New Baneshwor-based Federal Parliament Building, Party Chairperson KP Sharma Oli talked about government’s policies and programmes, the ongoing obstruction of the parliament by the opposition party in the parliament and contemporary issues.
Vice-Chairperson and former Finance Minister, Bishnu Prasad Poudel, General-Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, former Finance Minister Dr Yubraj Bhusal, among others are scheduled to give orientation speech about government’s policies and programmes, budget for the coming fiscal year and UML’s role in the meeting, said Chief Whip of the party, Mahesh Bartaula.
President Ramchandra Paudel presented the government’s policies and programmes in the joint session of the federal parliament on Tuesday. Since then, an agenda of extending gratitude to the President has not moved ahead in parliament due to NC’s obstruction in the subsequent meetings of the parliament.
The Nepali Congress has been obstructing the parliament proceedings, demanding formation of parliamentary probe committee on cooperative fraud scam.
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High Court Pokhara orders recount of votes in Byas Municipality
Damauli (Tanahu), May 15: The High Court Pokhara has issued an order for a recount of votes in Byas Municipality of Tanahu district.
Conducting a final hearing in a petition filed by Deepak Raj Joshi, the candidate for the post of Mayor of Byas Municipality, on Tuesday, the Court decided that the claim of the petitioner is substantiated.
High Court Information Officer Bishwanath Aryal said that the joint bench of High Court Judges Rajan Prasad Bhattarai and Nirmala Poudel Bhattarai gave the verdict in favor of the writ petitioner Joshi.
Joshi had filed a writ on May 26, 2022, naming five parties, including the Election Commission, as the defendants, arguing that the counting of votes was rigged. Five advocates had argued in the case from Joshi’s side.
Baikuntha Neupane who got 12078 votes in his favour was declared elected as the Mayor of Byas Municipality in the local level elections held on May 13, 2022. Neupane’s closest contender Joshi had received 11,826 votes.
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Tokha Municipality starts removing illegal structures
Kathmandu, May 15: The Tokha Municipality has started removing structures constructed by encroaching upon the public land along the Bishnumati corridor.
The municipality demolished the buildings belonging to the Community Service Centre and the Community Police Service Centre constructed at New Bus Park-based Bishnumati corridor.
Chief Administrative Officer of the municipality, Sher Bahadur BC, told RSS that the building of Community Service Centre was removed under the campaign of pulling down structures constructed on public land.
The municipality has also started removing 82 shops constructed near New Bus Park bridge. Earlier, the municipality had already cleared the corridor road by removing illegal structures constructed at Bishnumati corridor from Manorath Tirtha to Grande Hospital.
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DPM Lamichhane and Swedish ambassador Thesleff meet
Kathmandu, May 15: Ambassador of Sweden to Nepal, Jan Thesleff paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Rabi Lamichhane today.
During the meeting, they discussed matters of bilateral interest and mutual collaboration in energy, disaster management, land management, civil aviation, security management and youth skill development and self-employment, among others, the Home Minister Lamichhane’s secretariat said.
On the occasion, Ambassador Thesleff said that based on the historical relations between Nepal and Sweden, Sweden is ever ready to cooperate in the areas of mutual interest, bilateral cooperation and development priorities of Nepal.
The Ambassador also congratulated Minister Lamichhane and wished him a successful tenure, according to the secretariat.
Similarly, DPM Lamichhane said that Nepal is ready to further strengthen the ties between the two countries and cooperate more on common issues.
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Youth leaders stress on changing form of governance, electoral system for political stability
Kathmandu, May 15: Youth leaders of different political parties have pointed out the need of changing form of governance and the electoral system for attaining political stability in the country.
They stressed on it in a group discussion on ‘How the political stability is possible?’ conducted under the ongoing Student Fest-2081 organised by the All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) in Kathmandu.
Saying though there is political stability in the country, it is facing instability due to the governance system, CPN (UML) Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai underscored the need of changing such system.
He said the present form of governance and the electoral system as envisioned by the constitution could not maintain stability in country’s governance system, adding there should be a provision of directly elected executive head.
The country should adopt directly elected executive chief and proportional electoral system for the stability of the government and system, Bhattarai underscored, adding he, however, said discussion could be held on making the National Assembly fully proportional or making inclusive arrangement in direct election in order to make the parliament inclusive.
Similarly, Nepali Congress leader Pradeep Poudel mentioned that stability of governance should be sought within this system.
He expressed the view that there is no stability in the governance system due to selfishness of the leaders of the political parties.
Likewise, Manushi Yami, leader of Nepal Samajbadi Party, opined that the country would get stability only if directly elected head of the government and fully proportional electoral system is adopted.
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Estimated cost of executing 16th Plan determined at approx Rs 11.1 trillion
Kathmandu, May 15: The estimated cost of implementing the 16th Plan is approximately Rs 11.1 trillion, the National Planning Commission (NPC) said today.
NPC Vice Chairman Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha, informing the media about the Plan and cost estimate approved by the Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday, said that there will be no problem in the investment required for implementation.
Similarly, NPC Spokesman Yamlal Bhoosal said that the cost required for implementing the objectives adopted by the 16th Plan is more than Rs 11.1 trillion and the partnership with the private sector would be enhanced for ensuring this cost.
According to him, one of the strategies of the Sixteenth Plan is to increase production, productivity and competitiveness by identifying, addressing and solving the structural obstacles seen in all areas and dimensions of development.
He said, “The goal is to implement a sustainable development plan by strengthening the inter-relationship and functional capacity between the government, private, cooperative and non-governmental sectors and development partners as well as of all three levels of government – federal, provincial and local.”
The NPC spokesman also said that necessary activities will be carried out according to the goal of gender mainstreaming, use of modern technology, environmental protection and disaster risk reduction in all areas and dimensions of development, and that of implementation of policy making and development programmes based on studies, research and facts.
The areas of structural transformation include strengthening macroeconomic bases and enhancing economic growth, increasing production, productivity and competitiveness. Likewise, the others sectors for attaining structural transformation are productive employment, decent labor and sustainable social protection, building healthy, educated and skilled human capital, quality physical infrastructure development and intensive inter-agencies commitment.
According to the statistics shared on the occasion, the target is to attain 2,351 US dollars per capita income by the fiscal year 2085-86 BS.
Similarly, the implementation goals include: planned, sustainable and resilient urbanization and settlement development, gender equality, social justice and inclusive and equitable society building, regional and local economy strengthening and balanced development, poverty and inequality reduction.
Other areas of designated as implementation goals are the effective financial management and capital expenditure capacity building, governance reform and promotion of good governance, biological diversity, climate change and green economy, upgrading from least developed to developing country status and implementation of sustainable development goals.
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16th plan sets economic growth rate target of 7.3 per cent
Kathmandu, May 15: The economic growth rate of the country is projected to reach 7.3 per cent in next five years.
A target has been set to make economic growth rate 7.3 per cent under the goal of the 16th Plan made public by National Planning Commission here today.
Making presentation on the 16th Plan, Commission Spokesperson Yamlal Bhoosal said a target has been set to increase economic growth rate to 7.3 per cent till 2085/86 from 3.9 per cent.
Similarly, the 16th Plan has set a target of increasing per capita income to 2,351 US dollar. As per the goals of the 16th Plan, a target has been set to reduce the population below the poverty line to 12 per cent from 20.3 per cent, as well as consumer inflation rate to five per cent from 7.7 per cent.
Likewise, the plan includes increasing human development index to 0.65 per cent from 0.601 per cent as well as human property index to 78 per cent from 76.3 per cent. The 16th plan has expected to lower down economic and environmental risk index to 24 from 29.7 as well as increase life expectancy to 73 years from 71.3.
A target has been set to increase literacy rate to 85 per cent from 76.2 per cent. Around Rs 11.1 trillion investment has been estimated for the implementation of the 16th plan.
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