Business leaders express support for multilateralism, global value chains to build back better post Covid-19

 Eminent business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region have expressed strong support for multilateralism and regional cooperation as well as increased public-private partnerships to build back better and more sustainably.

They also underscored that as countries recover from the Covid-19 pandemic impacts, this is no time for nationalism and protectionism; further highlighting the importance of reviving international trade and investment to allow businesses to grow and access world markets.

Over 750 private sector leaders, policymakers and community stakeholders participated in the Asia-Pacific Business Forum (APBF) 2020 today, organised by the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in cooperation with the ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN).

This year, the Forum discussions focused on ‘The Future of Global Value Chains and Implications for SMEs’. Apart from ongoing trade tensions and market disruptions, the management of the Covid-19 pandemic is challenging the future of business and regional value chains. This has resulted in severe negative impacts on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to keep their businesses afloat. The current crisis has necessitated the importance of reshoring and consolidation of hubs and architecture of the value chains in the Asia-Pacific region. By raising business resilience, SMEs will be in a better position to participate in value chains and offer new investment opportunities, according to a press note issued by the UNESCAP.

“Governments and business must work together to ensure resilient and sustainable value chains,” UN under-secretary-general and executive secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana said, adding that governments need to provide the appropriate supporting policy and regulatory frameworks to allow for an effective and efficient collaboration within public-private investment mechanisms.

“One crucial opportunity from the economic downturn is that it offers the chance to rebuild,” vice minister for Commerce, Thailand Dr Sansern Samalapa highlighted in his keynote speech. “This is the time to add and strive for more sustainability in global value chains, which is one of the key objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he added.

“Even in this difficult time as we grapple with the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic worldwide, it is protectionist policies that continue to pose the greatest threat long-term to global supply chains and the millions of small companies that rely on open markets for the health of their businesses and their communities,” secretary-general at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) John WH Denton said.

The Forum further highlighted the importance of conducive policy and regulatory environments, as well as greater improvements in sustainable regional connectivity in trade, transport, energy and ICT. In particular, the pandemic has boosted the need for and value of digitalization which cuts across all sectors of the economy. This, underscored Forum delegates, is the modality of the future for business, both large, medium and small.

Established in 2004, the Asia-Pacific Business Forum is the flagship regional business forum organised by ESCAP and ESBN as a platform for regional public-private sector dialogue on the role and needs of business in achieving inclusive, resilient and sustainable development. The ABPF also seeks to showcase innovative and sustainable solutions that businesses are creating in a variety of industries to meet the development needs of Asia and the Pacific.

Panta as NRN president

A Germany-based Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) Kumar Panta has been elected the new president of Non-Resident Association of Nepal (NRNA)-International Coordination Committee (ICC) through the association’s ninth global convention. Pant will be the sixth president of the NRNA after incumbent president Bhaban Bhatta. Panta defeated an NRN-based in the United Kingdom Kul Acharya by only 147 votes to secure NRNA’s top post. Panta secured a total of 1,217 votes, whereas Acharya received 1,070 votes.
Panta, after winning the election, said that his first priority will be to end disparity in NRNA and NRNs and unite them. “I will focus on uniting all NRNs under NRNA,” he said, adding that NRNs prioritise Nepal while making investment. “NRNA will encourage the Nepali diaspora to bring in mega investment into the country.”
Panta also expressed his commitment to maintain and uplift the legacy of NRNA in Nepal and among Nepali people, as in the recent times, the image of the Nepali diaspora has been tarnished also due to over politicisation in the association. Panta also assured free membership to NRNs in NRNA and restructure the association during his tenure.
Likewise, the convention has elected Badri KC, Sonam Lama, Mana KC and Arjun Shrestha as vice-presidents whereas Rabina Thapa has been elected as the woman vice-president of the organisation.
The newly elected executive committee of NRNA that has a two-year tenure has Hem Raj Sharma elected as the general secretary, RK Sharma and Gauri Raj Joshi as secretaries of NRNA. “Mahesh Shrestha has been elected as the treasurer and Lok Prasad Dahal won the joint-treasurer’s race.”
Bhoma Devi Limbu has been elected as the woman coordinator of the association, whereas Manakala Thapa Bista and Roshan Thapa are elected as regional coordinators.

Nepali cricketers improve in ICC rankings

Riding on the success of the recent T20 series win against the UAE, Nepali cricketers have improved their rankings.
According to T20 ranking released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) today national team captain Paras Khadka, Sompal Kami and Basant Regmi have improved their positions.
Paras Khadka has climbed to the 90th position as batsman and 40th position as an all-rounder, whereas Sompal Kami has improved by 23 points to climb to 70th position among the bowlers while he stands in the 51st position as all-rounder. "Basanta Regmi also improved his position by 3 points to reach 71st in the ranking," according to the latest ICC T20 ranking that has Babar Azam of Pakistan on top of the ranking in batting, while Rashid Khan of Afghanistan tops the bowlers list and Glen Maxwell of Australia is the top all-rounder.

ICC releases two years' remuneration of Nepali cricketers

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the remuneration – that was stopped after the ICC suspended the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) – of Nepali cricket players of the past two years.
The National Sports Council (NSC) member secretary Keshab Bista confirmed that the Council has received Rs 12. 79 million – which will be paid to 21 cricketers – yesterday.
The cricketers – categorised into ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ group – will be entitled to the facility. The  ‘A’ category cricketers are paid Rs 35,000 per month whereas the ‘B’ category players get Rs 25,000 and the ‘C’ category gets Rs 15,000 per month.
The 'A' category players including captain Paras Khadka, vice-captain Gyanendra Malla, Sharad Bheswakar, Basanta Regmi, Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee and Sandip Lamichhane. They will get Rs 840,000 each as the remuneration of last two years.
Likewise, 'B' category players including Arif Sheikh, Karan KC, Lalit Bhandari, Anil Kumar Shah, Rohit Poudel, Lalit Rajbanshi and Shakti Gauchan will get Rs 600,000 each, whereas ‘C’ category players including Subash Khakurel, Sagar Pun, Dilip Nath, Sunil Dhamala, Susan Bhari, Pradeep Airee and Binod Bhandari will receive Rs 300,000 each as their remuneration of last two years.
According to the Council, team manager Raman Shiwakoti and main coach Jagat Tamata will also get their remunerations of last two years, though the amount has not been disclosed. The ICC suspended the CAN some two-and-a-half years ago, citing the government intervention and partiality. But the latest feat of the Nepali cricket team in the one and 20Twenty has made the ICC rething on its decision to stop the remunerations of the cricketers.

Dhurmus Suntali Foundation to construct international cricket stadium

The Dhurmus Suntali Foundation is going to construct an international cricket stadium in Bharatpur Metropolis in Chitwan District, though big infrastructure project construction should be the key responsibility of the government.
Dhurmus Suntali Foundation and Bharatpur Metropolitan City today signed an agreement – in the presence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and chairman of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', apart from leaders from various political parties – on the land acquisition for the construction of the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium at a function held at City Hall in the capital.
The social organisation – founded by comedian couple Sitaram Kattel 'Dhurmus' and Kunjana Ghimire 'Suntali' – has claimed that the international stadium will cost around Rs 3 billion and will be completed within 2 years.
According to the agreement, the international cricket stadium will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3 billion in Bharatpur-16, Dhurmus said, adding that the stadium is expected to be completed in next two and half years and handed over to Bharatpur Metropolis. "The funds will be collected from Nepalis at home and abroad to construct the stadium."
The cricket stadium will be built in an area of 20 Bighas and six Katthas land – which is now in the name of Tribhuvan University and being occupied by Agriculture and Forestry University – the foundation informed, urging everyone to help provide support to construct the international cricket stadium.
Nepal ranks at the 15th position in the ICC ODI ranking, though Nepal is suspended by the ICC at present and ineligible to hosts ODI matches in home. The maiden ODI series win with UAE – with couple of world records – yesterday is a moral and confidence booster for the team but the government has been not able to provide basic infrastructure for the development of cricket in the country. But the initiative by the Dhurmus Suntali Foundation has encouraged the cricketers.

Paras hits ton as Nepal beat UAE to secure maiden ODI series win

Skipper Paras Khadka smashed a debut One Day International (ODI) ton and propelled his team to a maiden overseas series win over UAE – after defeating the third and final match of the three-match – at the ICC Academy Oval in Dubai today. Khadka hit 115 runs in just 109 balls to become the first ever Nepali batsman to record ODI ton before being trapped leg before wicket (lbw) by Qadeer Ahmed in 38.5 overs.
Nepal opted to field first – after winning the toss – and restricted the hosts to a formidable score of 254/6 in the 50 overs. Nepal successfully followed its first ever ODI target of 254 runs – also the highest – in 44.4 overs losing six wickets to clinch the series.
Nepal – following the impossible looking score – clinched the victory by four wickets with thirty-two balls to spare. Khadka was out in lbw of Qadeer Ahmed’s spin delivery in 115 runs – with fifteen fours – off 109 balls, when the team still needed 40 runs for victory, which looked like the game went out of Nepal's hand.
But the lower order batsman Sompal Kami took away the game with a towering six to register the historic win. Sompal Kami and Aarif Sheikh combined for 40 unbeaten runs for the seventh wicket to take the team home.
UAE team was once reeling at 47/4 at one stage before the lower middle order steadied their innings, and posted a 254/6 in the 50 overs. Shaiman Anwar top-scored for the hosts on 87 runs – off just 70 balls with nine fours and two sixes – whereas Mohammad Boota remained 59 not out to pose a decent total on board.
Karan KC and Paras Khadka took two wickets each, whereas Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichanne claimed one each.
While batting Nepal lost its first wicket in 4.3 overs, with Binod Bhandari at 9 runs – caught by Ghulam Shabber off Mohammad Naveed – but skipper Paras Khadka and opener Gyanendra Malla stood firm on the crease and stabilised the inning. Malla scored 31 runs – off 35 balls – and debutant Sandeep Jora contributed 19 runs. Likewise, world record holder young batsman Rohit Kumar Paudel contributed 16 runs.
UAE’s Imran Haider, Ashfaq Ahmed took two wickets, whereas Mohammad Naveed and Qadeer Ahmed chipped in with a wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal had lost the opening match with three wickets, whereas won the second match by a wide margin of 145 runs to level the series 1-1. Skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel – in the second match – rewrote history as the youngest batsman to hit ODI fifty runs by overpowering Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and India’s Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
After gaining ODI status – after world cup qualifying games in Zimbabwe – Nepal toured to the Netherlands before the Gulf states for three ODIs and three T20 Internationals. They played a 1-1 draw in the Europe tour.
Though, Nepal – at present – is suspended by the ICC and is ineligible to hosts ODI matches in home, it ranks 15th in the ICC ODI ranking. The ODI series with UAE has also helped Nepali cricket a moral and confidence booster with couple of world records.

Paudel beats Tendulkar, Afridi to become youngest man to hit ODI 50

Nepali all-rounder Rohit Kumar Paudel – at 16 years and 146 days old – has become the youngest male batsman in history to register a 50 in One-Day International cricket – writing a new history at the ICC Academy in Dubai – after hitting 55 runs off 58 balls against UAE today. After losing an opener yesterday, Nepal bounced back today to register a thumping victory over UAE.
With a remarkable batting display Paudel has beaten the likes of legendary Indian batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.
The previous record was set by Afridi, who registered 102 runs against Sri Lanka aged 16 years and 217 days in Nairobi in 1996. The other international record of a half-century in a Test Match was set by Indian cricket legend Tendulkar, who registered 59 runs against Pakistan at the age of 16 years and 213 days in Pakistan in 1989.
The right-hand batsman said that he raised his bat only after Karan KC told him that he hit a half-century.
Afridi had converted his half-century into a 37-ball 102 which remained as the fasted ODI century for a long time. Likewise, Indian star cricketer Tendulkar had made 59 runs against Pakistan in test cricket at the age of 16 years and 213 days.
Paudel’s 55 runs was Nepal’s highest score in the second ODI against UAE, which Nepal began 1-0 down in the series and finished on 242/9 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Right hand batsman Paudel of Nawalparasi was 15 years and 335 days old when he made his ODI debut against the Netherlands in August last year, making him the fourth youngest man. Paudel first caught attention for hitting India fast bowler Kamlesh Nagarkoti for 24 runs in five balls in a U19 ODI in 2016.
The overall international record is held by South Africa’s Johmari Logtenburg, who hit both Women’s Test and ODI fifties as a 14-year-old.

NRNA to hold ninth global conference in October

The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has decided to hold its ninth global conference in October 2019 in Kathmandu.
A meeting of the NRNA International Coordination Committee (ICC) held in the capital today decided to hold the global conference from October 13 to 16, according to a press note from the secretariat of the Nepali Diaspora. "The meeting, reviewing the activities carried out by the organisation's in the past one year, has also dwelled on the NRNA's future strategies."
Once in a two-year term, the organisation of Nepali Diaspora meets face-to-face and holds meeting. The meeting today – apart from discussing the issue of convening the next NRNA global conference – also dwelled on the NRNA-supported ongoing projects including Laprak. "The meeting has decided to handover the integrated settlement for earthquake-hit people at Laprak in Gorkha by April 25, 2019," reads the press note. Likewise, the meeting also took stock of illuminating the Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham and its premise with modern lighting equipment. "The NRNA will also to join hands with the Nepal government for Nepal Investment Summit going to be held in March."
The Diaspora also discussed on $100 million investment fund. "We have decided to chalk out strategies to pour investment to Nepal in various fields including hydropower, electrification, human resource development and modernisation of agriculture," the press note further reads.

Bhatta elected NRNA president

The eighth global conference of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has elected Bhaban Bhatta as the new president for the next two-year term.
Bhatta – with 1,197 votes – has defeated Jamuna Gurung Ghale, who secured 584 votes, in the election held here today. Of the total 1854 voters, 1788 voters cast their ballots.
Jamuna Gurung Ghale is the better half of the incumbent president Shesh Ghale, who is completing his second two-year term. According to the statatue of the NRNA, one can not become president for the third term.
Bhatta, who has been associated with the non-resident Nepali movement since the beginning in 2003, as the executive member of the adhoc committee in 2003 while forming the organisation in Japan and served in various positions of the international coordination council (ICC) of the NRNA.
Bhatta has been living in Japan since the last 20 years. He owns chain restaurants and a resort in Japan. Bhatta has also invested in various sectors like hospitality, media, brewery, education, aviation and planning to invest in many more in Nepal.
After being elected as the new president of NRNA, Bhatta said that he will take forward the NRNA movement to second version, which he has named NRNA V.2, and work towards making a substantiative contribution to Nepal's economy. He said that every NRNs, despite their economic status, will get an opportunity to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country through a collective investment mechanism. Bhatta also said NRNA will forward the agendas including its own headquarters construction, smart NRNA academy, Laprak Model Settlement and joint investment.
Meanwhile, the global conference also elected Kumar Panta (Germany), Kul Acharya (UK) and Sapila Rajbhandari (Russia) as vice presidents. Panta had served as vice president in the earlier executive committee, whereas Acharya was coordinator for Europe region and Rajbhandari was women coordinator in the executive committee. Likewise, DB Chhetri and Janaki Gurung (secretary), Hikmat Bahadur Thapa (treasurer) and Somnath Sapkota (co-treasurer) from some 100 candidates, who were vying for 39 different posts in the new executive committee. The election committee informed Bhuma Devi Limbu won the Woman Coordinator post while Sudan Thapa claimed victory as Youth Coordinator.
A total of 1,854 delegates cast their votes in the election held late today at Hyatt hotel in Kathmandu for the executive committee of the NRNA that was established 14 years ago and now has spread in 77 countries. 

Bhaban Bhatta announces candadicy for NRNA president

Bhaban Bhatta today declared his candidacy for the post of president of Non Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA)-International Coordination Council (ICC).
Bhatta, the incumbent NRNA-ICC vice president, said that the NRNs have been contributing in national economy through investment of their capital, skill and technology.
Bhatta, who made a fortune from hospitality business in Japan, has also made investments in the apparel industry, education, hospitality, media and aviation sector in Nepal. He also has investments in the hospitality industry in Europe.
Announcing his candidacy, Bhatta pledged that he would give continuity to works initiated by the NRNA, if he is elected the president. The works include completion of model settlement at Laprak in Gorkha, which was devastated by the 2015 earthquakes; construction of NRNA’s own headquarters in Kathmandu; implementation of Vision 2020 and Beyond, prevention of brain-drain while encouraging those abroad to return Nepal.
He, on the occasion, also said that NRNA – under his leadership – will contribute in entrepreneurship development and transforming the country’s tourism sector by mobilising NRNA’s vast network and encourage national coordination committee of each nation to start at least one flagship project in Nepal. The association that was established some 14 years ago, has its network in 77 countries.
Likewise, he also pledged to set up a start-up fund through NRNA so that innovative ideas will get a chance to be realised to benefit especially women and youth. He also promised to work for the welfare of migrant workers through NRNA’s network and start insurance through mobilising a welfare fund. The Fund has been currently used for the rescue and relief of migrant workers. The NRNA has Rs 50 million in Foreign Employment Fund at present. "I will introduce insurance products for Nepalis working abroad," he said, addressing the media.
Around 1,500 to 2,000 NRNs are gathering in Kathmandu for the NRN Global Conference and NRNA International General Assembly on October 14-17. The NRNA-ICC had last held its election in 2015.
During the four-day event, NRNs will choose the new president, as incumbent president Shesh Ghale, is stepping down after completing his second two-year term. According to the Statute, one can have only two terms as president.
The International General Assembly will also elect different NRNA-ICC’s executive committee member. It will also elect regional coordinators and co-coordinators for six regions including Asia-Pacific, Europe, America, Oceania, Africa and the Middle-East.
No wonder as the umbrella association of Nepali Diaspora is scheduled to hold its 8th Global Conference in Kathmandu on October 14-17 to elect a new leadership for 2017-2019- term, aspirants have started announcing their candidacy but no one has formally announced candidacy for the post of president till date. Due to his growing clout in diaspora and positive energy, Bhatta is seen as a lone candidate for the president. But many other NRNs have started announcing for various posts for the next term as the election fever is slowly gripping the NRNs more.
The NRNA that is now expanded to 77 countries around the globe, except in South Asia, has over 100,000 members, though it is reported that 5 million Nepalis are living in 110 countries throughout the world.

NRNs failed Nepal in the time of crisis

The Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) from 71 countries, who have gathered in Kathmandu for 7th Global Conference, have committed to work for reconstruction.
It is praiseworthy. However, while they are preparing for global conference, Nepal is under India’s ‘unofficial blockade’. The lives of Nepalis have been hit hard by the shortage of essential goods, including petroleum products, and even medicine in some parts of the country. In the current situation of humanitarian crisis, the NRNs have failed their motherland, in their own words.
“We discussed Nepal’s current issues in the meeting of International Coordination Council (ICC),” said Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) vice president Bhawan Bhatta.
The NRNs, who have resources and network across the globe, apart from their formal institution in 71 countries, have failed to prove that they really care for their motherland. They have been repeatedly claiming that the country can use their expertise and network for the benefit of Nepal, if the government award them citizenship. The new constitution of the country – that has become the key reason for the current unofficial blockade by India – has given NRNs the right to get special citizenship. The NRNs have welcomed the provision, but failed to help the country at this critical juncture.
However, Bhatta said that the NRNs raised the issue of current crisis in the ICC meeting. “Majority of the NRNs feel that they have to internationalise the current crisis,” he said, adding that they had also planned a symbolic programme in all the 71 countries at the same time and on the same date. “But the ICC meeting did not endorse the agenda.”
However, Japan National Coordination Council (NCC) – in Bhatta's leadership – organised a symbolic programme in Tokyo.
After Nepal promulgated new constitution with 90 per cent majority on September 20, India has stopped movement of cargo trucks at its border points, blaming the protests Tarai-Madhesh districts. Nepal is not only landlocked, but also India-locked as the country is surrounded by India in the east, west and south. The behaviour of New Delhi with a small country like Nepal has not only affected lives of Nepalis but also left bordering Indian markets deserted.
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) – the state-owned oil monopoly – has been rationing petroleum products to manage the situation. Because of the Indian blockade and shortage of petroleum products, the country is going to lose more than what it lost from the devastating earthquake in April and May. Schools and industries have been shut down, and long queues have been formed at handful of pumps distributing fuel. The blockade has dealt severe blow on the already shattered Nepali economy.
Though NRNA has been involved in various activities under its charity programme, including the plan to rebuild 1,000 houses for earthquake victims within two years, it has to come up to help the country in situation like this.
The NRNA General Assembly and Global Conference that is being held in Kathmandu from October 14 to 17 is going to see around 1,500 delegates from various countries. The conference is also going to elect a new executive committee for a two-year term. But the conference will also have to come up with clear and concrete plans, apart from reconstruction and rebuilding, to help their motherland at this critical time. Because its their turn to help Nepal.