UN calls for more inclusive and fair digital transformation in Asia and the Pacific

 The rapid, widespread adoption of digital technology, spurred in large part by the Covid-19 pandemic, and its economic and societal ramifications are the key focus of deliberations at a United Nations forum this week.

The Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology, and Innovation, which opened today, is set to examine how this digital transformation has brought a number of benefits and opportunities for people, governments and businesses, but also has further widened the digital divide both between and within countries in the region, opening new development gaps and reinforcing a vicious cycle of socio-economic inequalities. 

“The United Nations has referred to the digital divide as the new face of inequality,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, an under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). “That is why digital inclusion must be at the heart of digital transformation and accompanying digital policies and regulations if the promise to ‘leave no one behind’ is to be met.”

This ‘digital big bang’ brought about by the pandemic has compressed normal periods of societal adoption of digital technologies from years to months or even weeks, as digital technology has steadily taken over more aspects of people’s lives. Digital inclusion and resilient digital networks across the region have become the foundation for governments and the private sector to effectively mitigate the worst impacts of the pandemic.

According to the Asia-Pacific Digital Transformation Report 2022, released today by ESCAP, the region is now the most digitally divided in the world, with more than two billion people who do not have access to digital technologies.

However, many government and business services are now ‘digital by default,’ thus the urgent need to develop new development paradigms, policy and regulatory frameworks in a more flexible, adaptive, and corroborative way.

At the heart of such new paradigms is the digital transformation process, where people are not just consumers but also creators of previously unheard-of products and services, thus accelerating the transformation of value systems and socio-economic structures.

The three-day Committee is expected to endorse the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway action plan for 2022-2026, which consists of a set of coherent actions aimed at bridging the digital divide and accelerating digital transformation for an inclusive digital society.

Additionally, the Committee is preparing for the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development, to be held on October 26 in Jakarta. It is also expected to express support for the Asia-Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference 2022, organised by the Government of the Republic of Korea in cooperation with ESCAP, under the theme ‘Shaping Our Common Future,’ from November 9 to 10, 2022 in Seoul as an important means of promoting multi-stakeholder partnerships on digital transformation in Asia and the Pacific.

Preparing for complex, overlapping crises key to building resilience for countries in Asia and the Pacific

Countries meeting today at the seventh session of the ESCAP Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction were called on to intensify their efforts to prepare for and tackle complex, overlapping crises as the region strives to increase the resilience of its people as well as its economies.

"Notwithstanding the progress made by many countries in devising more robust systems of early warning and responsive protection -- with far fewer people dying as a result of natural disasters -- the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that  almost without exception, countries around the world are still ill-prepared to deal with multiple overlapping crises, which often cascade, with one triggering another,” United Nations under-secretary-general and executive secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana said, adding that tropical cyclones, for example, can lead to floods, which lead to disease, which exacerbates poverty.

Since the start of the pandemic, the region has been hit by multiple natural and biological disasters. At the same time, climate change has continued to warm the world, exacerbating the impacts of many of these disasters. The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2021, also launched today, reveals that the pandemic, combined with the persistent reality of climate change, has reshaped and expanded the disaster 'riskscape' in Asia and the Pacific.

The triple threat of disease, disaster and climate change is causing not only considerable human hardship but also significant economic losses. Currently, the annual average disaster-related losses are $780 billion. It could nearly double, to around $1.4 trillion, in a worst-case climate scenario, it reads, adding that choosing a proactive strategy of adapting to natural and other biological hazards would be far more cost-effective at an annual cost of $270 billion.

In her statement during the opening session, the special representative of the United Nations secretary-general for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori voiced support for the Committee’s work and reiterated the need for immediate and decisive action to build disaster resilience.

"The string of record-breaking weather events show that we do not have the luxury of ‘waiting this out’: action must be taken now to address these risks,” she said, adding that it includes increasing international funding for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, especially for countries graduating from the least-developed category.

Also speaking at the opening session, the secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Petteri Taalas emphasised the importance of climate change mitigation efforts. "All in all, successful climate mitigation doesn’t affect our everyday life very much,” he said, “but if we fail with climate mitigation the impact is going to be felt for centuries, even millennia."

The final speaker at the opening session, the secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Houlin Zhao highlighted the need for countries in Asia and the Pacific to make progress on digital transformation.

"It’s time for the Asia-Pacific region to rely even more on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs),” he said, adding that he is confident that countries in the region will access the unique opportunity presented by Covid-19 to accelerate digital transformation and leverage the historic role of ICTs in tackling the dual challenges of climate-related disasters and Covid-19.

Today also saw the return of the ESCAP Regional Conversation series, with a Ministerial Panel on Disaster, Climate and Health Resilience. This was the first in a series of four events that will bring together eminent personalities and thought leaders to exchange ideas and solutions to some of the key challenges facing Asia and the Pacific.

In her remarks, Alisjahbana highlighted the need to build universal resilience to address the vulnerabilities the pandemic has exposed and to tackle rising levels of inequality and poverty. She called for a paradigm shift in disaster risk management toward a focus on investing in prevention and the building of resilience.

Online nomination of ICT Award 2021 for 11 different categories starts

 The online nomination of the sixth edition of the ICT Award has started from today. Award nominations in 11 different categories have been opened for the ICT Award 2021 organised by Living with ICT and in collaboration with various government and private organisations, according to a press note.

The online nominations for the ICT Awards 2021 -- established as a prestigious award in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) -- have been opened in view of the declining rates of the second wave of Covid- 19. Despite the postponement of most events during the transition period of the first wave last year, the winners of 12 categories were honored at a special event at the Soaltee Hotel on December 23, 2020, advancing the nomination and selection process of the ICT Awards 2020 through virtual medium, the press note reads.

Most of the selection committee meetings of this year's ICT Awards will be virtual as well. There are more than two dozen jury and advisors for the ICT Award selection process. Interested individuals, companies, products or organisations in 11 different categories can apply till 16th Shrawan, 2078. Competitors themselves or anyone else can register online nominations for the award.

Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Student ICT Award are the awards categories related to innovations and startups. Likewise, Pioneer ICT Award, Nepali Diaspora ICT Award, Entrepreneur ICT Award and Media Person ICT Award are given to the individuals, the press note adds.

LIkewise, the awards given to government and private organizations include Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector), Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector), Digital Governance ICT Award (Public Sector), and Digital Governance ICT Award (Private Sector). "The ICT Awards, which started in 2016, have so far honoured more than 50 individuals, organisations, companies and products in various categories," it claims, adding that last year's Huawei ICT Award 2020 received more than 400 online applications.

This year, to make the selection process of the award more systematic and fair, a jury team of more than 12 individuals will select the winner in different stages conducting different selection process for 3 months, the organiser claims, adding that after 3 rounds of selection in Startup, Product, Student Star Innovation category, public voting will be conducted by declaring the top 5. "Similarly, In the other genres , 4 different stages of virtual selection and field visit will also be conducted."

Award winners will receive various services and facilities with special honours. Winners of Startup, Product, Rising Star categories will also get concessional loan facility and investment opportunity.

UN forges technological cooperation to tackle Covid-19 in Asia and the Pacific

 Collaboration at the regional level is a critical force for scaling up effective technologies and increasing innovation capacity in the fight against Covid-19, according to high-level officials and key stakeholders at the third session of the Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Science, Technology and Innovation.

Convened by the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the two-day Committee meeting highlighted how digital inclusion and resilient digital networks across the entire region have become the foundation for government measures to effectively stem the worst impacts of the pandemic.

“Digital has taken on a compelling new meaning in the region; people, planet and prosperity are all increasingly dependent on access to digitally-driven technological innovations and seamless connectivity,” said UN under-secretary-general and executive secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana. 

“As we are planning to chart our future in the post-Covid-19 world, we need to address the digital and technology divide with urgency,” she said, adding that they cannot let this divide drive new forms of socio-economic inequalities. “More than half of the region’s 4.1 billion people remain offline and in least developed, landlocked developing and Pacific island countries, less than 5 per cent of the population has access to high-speed and affordable Internet.”

Women and girls, regardless of location, level of income or age, have lower access than men, she added.

“We need to accelerate the digital transformation that has happened before the Covid-19 pandemic,” minister for Research and Technology and Chairman of the National Agency for Research and Innovation of Indonesia Bambang Brodjonegoro sid, adding, “We need to make sure that quality telecommunications infrastructure is made available.”

The committee discussed a set of guidelines for inclusive technology and innovation policies for sustainable development, and committed to developing policies that promote inclusive technology and innovation to ensure that innovations are accessible, relevant and affordable for all, to leave no one behind.

The Committee also underscored the importance of harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector to focus on developing innovations to address social and environmental challenges as well as provide economic opportunities. Social innovators and entrepreneurs have stepped up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

A regional launch of the 2020 United Nations E-Government Survey published by the United Nations (UN) Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) was held on the sidelines of the Committee. The survey finds that among the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) Bhutan, Bangladesh and Cambodia have become leaders in digital government development, advancing from the middle to the high E-Government Development Index group in 2020. At the launch, ESCAP further highlighted the challenges and opportunities of digital government in the Asia-Pacific region and emphasized the use of ICT during all phases of disaster risk management.

Covid-19 crisis may push up trade costs : WTO

 The global trade regime secretariat has published a new information note warning of possible increases to trade costs due to Covid-19 disruptions. The note examines the pandemic’s impact on key components of trade costs, particularly those relating to travel and transport, trade policy, uncertainty, and identifies areas where higher costs may persist even after the pandemic is contained.

The note estimates that travel and transport costs account for as much as a third of trade costs depending on the sector. Pandemic-related travel restrictions are therefore likely to affect trade costs for as long as they remain in place. For example, global air cargo capacity shrank by 24.6 per cent in March 2020, as passenger flights account for around half of air cargo volumes. The resulting increase in air freight prices is likely to subside only with a rebound in passenger transport, according to the report by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). While sea and land transport have not faced comparable shocks, maritime transport has seen a decrease in numbers of sailings, while international land transport has been affected by border closures, sanitary measures and detours. Moreover, business travel, which is important for maintaining trading relationships and managing global value chains, in addition to being a significant economic activity in its own right, is being disrupted. The quality of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and digital preparedness will be important in determining how well economies can cope.

Trade policy barriers and regulatory differences are estimated to account for at least 10 per cent of trade costs in all sectors, the WTO report reads, adding that they include tariff and non-tariff measures, temporary trade barriers, regulatory differences and the costs of crossing borders, as well as other policies that impact trade, such as a lack of investment facilitation or of intellectual property protection.

The report also notes that while Covid-19 has motivated both trade-restricting and import-facilitating changes in tariffs and regulatory practices, these measures have so far affected only a small subset of products. A crisis-induced shift towards the digitalisation of customs and regulatory procedures to reduce physical contact could potentially lower the associated trade costs in the long-term.

The report also points to uncertainty as a factor that magnifies the impact of existing trade-related costs, weighing on trade finance flows and dampening the appetite of businesses to invest in researching new markets, acquiring language skills and prospective partners, and conforming with foreign standards. It notes that in the first quarter of 2020, a widely used measure for the global level of uncertainty registered levels 60 per cent higher than those triggered by the Iraq War and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003. In mid-March, a separate index of financial market volatility came close to highs last seen in 2008 after the failure of Lehman Brothers.

Looking ahead, the report notes that many governments have implemented measures to mitigate pandemic-related disruptions to economic activity, for instance by exempting certain transport crew from travel restrictions, or by enhancing the quality of and the access to ICT. While many of the changes in trade costs can be expected to revert once the pandemic is brought under control, the report observes that some effects may persist. For example, aviation industry consolidation and shifts in passenger appetite for air travel could lead to higher air transport costs. In addition, government policy choices – which could either reduce or increase trade policy uncertainty – will be important in shaping uncertainty-related trade costs in the future.

Key points:

• Travel restrictions and border closures have been an important part of the initial policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and these measures have directly affected trade in goods and services. They have disrupted freight transport, business travel and the supply of services that rely on the presence of individuals abroad. Transport and travel costs constitute an important part of trade costs, and, depending on the sector, are estimated to account for 15 to 31 per cent. Travel restrictions are therefore likely to account for a substantial increase in trade costs for as long as they remain in place.

• Freight transport service performance is crucial to trade costs in manufacturing. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, maritime and land transport have remained largely functional, although they have registered sometimes considerable delays, but air freight transport has been severely disrupted, with global air cargo capacity shrinking by 24.6 per cent in March 2020. Many governments are trying to do as much as possible to keep trade flowing, but in some regions, travel restrictions have the potential to disrupt regional trade and livelihoods severely.

• Tradable services that rely on physical proximity between suppliers and consumers, such as tourism, passenger transport or maintenance and repair services, have been severely impacted by travel restrictions and social distancing and have seen a prohibitive increase in trade costs. The disruption in business travel, which plays important roles in establishing and maintaining trading relationships as well as in managing global value chains, is also likely to affect both business and professional services and manufacturing production, although this will depend on how possible it is to substitute e-interactions for face-to-face communication. The quality of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and digital preparedness will thus be important factors in how well economies cope with the pandemic shock.

• Estimates suggest that trade policy barriers and regulatory differences account for at least 10 per cent of trade costs in all sectors. Products essential in the fight against the pandemic have seen the introduction of mostly temporary import-facilitating and export-restrictive measures. The former push down trade costs while the latter raise them. Nevertheless, both types of measures have covered a small share of global trade.

• High levels of uncertainty magnify the impact of trade costs on international trade. In the first quarter of 2020, for instance, a widely used measure for the global level of uncertainty was 60 per cent higher than the levels triggered by the Iraq War and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003. Uncertainty reduces the appetite of firms to invest into new trading relationships, and the increase in uncertainty may also result in trade finance contraction that is likely to take a particularly heavy toll on emerging and developing economies.WTO< 

Himalaya Airlines and Huawei Cloud join hands to form a strategic partnership

Himalaya Airlines and Huawei Cloud, Chinese multinational technology company, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for strategic cooperation today during a signing ceremony held at Huawei company office in Kathmandu.
Leveraging its advantages in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and solutions, Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology, will provide Himalaya with competitive products and services to enable Himalaya to provide its passengers, better ticketing options and travel experience, according to a press note issued by the company. “The agreement is expected to promote the construction of smart aviation and trans-Himalaya multi-dimensional connectivity to achieve more substantial results, opening up opportunities for Himalaya to be a leading airline in South Asia.”
 The event was virtually graced by Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of China to Nepal Zhang Fan, deputy director of the Department of Commerce of the Tibet Autonomous Region Wang Ping and president of Huawei Technology Cloud and AI business group of Asia Pacific Region Zhou Danjin. The MoU was signed by president of Himalaya Airlines Zhou Enyong and chief executive officer of Huawei Technologies Nepal Deng Shuigen.
Congratulating both the parties, Economic and Commercial Counselor of Embassy of China to Nepal Zhang Fan expressed that the collaboration between the two parties is indeed a proactive effort to cope with the new challenges and circumstances of post-pandemic international aviation, international communication and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation. He also hoped the two companies as well as the other companies with Chinese investment in Nepal can break the barriers of conventional mindset, adopt more innovative methods to create suitable business models for the post-pandemic period and thereby make meaningful contributions to the BRI cooperation between China and Nepal.
While delivering his remarks, Wang Ping affirmed Himalaya’s contribution to the establishment of an important aviation channel to South Asia for the Tibet Autonomous Region. He also hoped Himalaya will achieve smarter management, operation and win-win development with the help of Huawei's advanced information solutions. He promised that the Tibet Autonomous Region will continue to support the development of overseas investment enterprises.
Addressing the event president of the Himalaya Airlines Zhou Enyong said that he believes the cooperation with Huawei will speed up the digital transformation and informatisation of the company, optimise the ticketing and travelling experience for customers, and will contribute to the overall development of the entire civil aviation industry of Nepal. He also welcomed the third party cooperation based on the bilateral cooperation in software, instruments, and other service areas through united innovation and exploring solutions for betterment of the industry in this region.
Likewise, president of Huawei technology Cloud and AI business group of Asia Pacific Region Zhou Danjin shared that they will take this opportunity to employ Himalaya Airlines’ expertise in aviation field together with their strength in technology to push ahead the process of ‘Intelligentisation]. Through digital transformation for Himalaya and improve its competitiveness to realize the business potential.
Himalaya and Huawei will cooperate in ICT technologies represented by Huawei Cloud and AI, in order to achieve mutual benefits and common development. It will also include building the Cloud platform for Himalaya's sales and finance system, set up Business Intelligent (BI) system, and push ahead the upgrade and renovation of existing ICT equipment. Himalaya also is ready to explore all-round cooperation possibilities with Huawei and third parties in passenger and freight transportation systems in the future.

Online nomination ICT Award 2020 starts

The online nomination (application) for the fifth edition of the ICT Award – a prestigious award in the information technology field in Nepal – has started from today. The online application for the ICT Award 2020, organised by ‘Living with ICT’ in collaboration with various government and private organisations, will be open till July 31, according to a press note issued by Living with ICT.
The ICT award has been delayed for some time this year due to the crisis and impact caused by Covid-19 pandemic, the press note reads, adding that the award ceremony, which is held on August 17 every year, will be delayed for some time this year. “Final date of the award will be announced after looking at the favourable time and situation after the deadline for online application is over.”
This year, ICT Award will be organised in 11 different categories, according to the organiser. The Innovation Driven Crisis Response ICT Award and the Woman Icon ICT Award categories have been added this year, it said, adding that Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Student ICT Award are the awards categories related to innovations and startups. “Likewise, Pioneer ICT Award, Nepali Diaspora ICT Award, ICT Entrepreneur Award and Media Person ICT Award are given to individuals.”
The Digital Governance ICT Award and Digital Education ICT Award are given to government organisations. The ICT Award – which started in 2016 – has so far honoured more than 30 individuals, organisations, companies and products in various categories, claimed the organiser.
Last year, the Startup ICT Award was received by E-Digital Nepal and the Product ICT Award was received by Mediflow Systems and Services. Similarly, the Rising Student ICT Award was received by Raktadan-Blood Donation Project. Likewise, Mahabir Pun was felicitated with the Pioneer Award, Dr Sameer Maskey with Nepali Diaspora Award, and Amit Agrawal with ICT Entrepreneur Award. The Digital Governance Award was received by the Public Service Commission and the Digital Education Award was received by the Nepal Open University (NOU). The Public Choice Award went to Kitabyatra and the Media Person ICT Award went to Bijay Timalsina.
This year, there are 12 jury members and 10 more jury advisory members to make the selection process of the award systematic and easy. The selection process will take place at different stages. Online and SMS voting will also be conducted by selecting the best 5 from different stages in startup, product, student project and innovation, while in other genres, the jury group will conduct the selection process at different stages.

Children are at risk of net addiction: Survey

Children and young people could be at a higher risk of internet addiction, gaming addiction and exposure to adult contents, according to a survey.
They could also be at a higher risk of online sexual abuse and exploitation, the ‘Survey on Changed Online Behaviour During Covid-19 Lock down in Nepal,’ conducted by ChildSafeNet reads.
Although the government banned pornographic sites in Nepal, more than 41 per cent respondents, including children and young people said they had visited such sites, the survey result reads, recommending addressing issues like this. “Detailed and thematic researches are required to develop in-depth knowledgebase to address the issue of online safety of children and young people during and after the lock down period.”
They surf youtube most of the time and facebook seconds the most searched sites, according to the survey that has also recommended conducting cyber safety awareness sessions for children, young people and parents through online and virtual awareness activities through social media and video conferencing sessions. “Video conferencing workshops on 'Parenting in the Digital Age' can help to equip parents with knowledge and skills to keep children and young people safe online,” it recommends, adding that the workshops will help to provide guidance to parents on reducing their own screen time, learn about cyber safety and lead by example to protect children and young people from online harms. “Educate children, young people and parents on the positive use of the internet and provide them information on sites and apps suitable for children.”
It also recommends to inform about useful and suitable sites according to their age and requirements. Asking to develop simple and easy cyber safety resources in Nepali and local languages for dissemination through online media, including, but not limited to social media, it has also suggested to operate a dedicated online helpline to provide tips, advice and support to people who experience online harms or at risk; refer to support services - police, psychologists, lawyers, social workers. “Strengthen law enforcement to report online abuses and make reporting accessible throughout the country.”
ChildSafeNet – a non-governmental organisation, established with a mission to make the digital technology safer for children and young people – also recommends advocating for more financial and technical resources from the government, ICT companies and other duty-bearers to make the internet safer for children, young people and everyone.
According to the president of ChildSafeNet Anil Raghuvanshi, the ‘Survey on Changed Online Behaviour During Covid-19 Lockdown in Nepal’, was conducted in all provinces of the country using online Google forms, distributed through social media platforms. The survey, self-administered by respondents started on April 17, 2020 till April 21, 2020. The survey was conducted with young children, young people and adults. Since the behaviour of adults may affect children in many ways, the survey also collected information on adults' online behaviour. “A total of 1,228 respondents – some 648 male, 576 and 4 other – had participated in the survey.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government imposed a country-wide lockdown in Nepal from March 24, 2020. As a result, schools, colleges and offices are closed, and people are staying at home spending a longer time using internet, which has increased the risk of online abuse and exploitation, particularly to children and young people as child online groomers and online sex predators may contact them for abuse and exploitation.
According to Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), some 72.16 per cent people have access to broadband internet and 55.30 per cent use mobile broadband internet. Facebook is the most used social media platform in Nepal with 11 million active, it reads, adding that the number of Facebook users, particularly among young age groups declined globally and in Nepal. “However, the number of Facebook users increased by 600,000 from November 2019 to April 2020.”

Asia Corporation tops the list of emerging startups in Nepal

Asia Corporation Private Limited topped the list of emerging startups in Nepal.
India’s leading Business magazine – CEO Insights – has published the list of ‘Top 10 Emerging Startups in Nepal-2020’, where Asia Corporation is placed in number one.
The Kathmandu based company – founded by Sunil KC, who leads a think tank -Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) – is providing large scale goods and commodities to public and private companies since its inception in 2017. Its services include industrial paper, photocopy paper, animal feeds, mosquito nets, chemical fertilizer, overhauled and maintenance services for helicopters and AI-related products, reads a press note from the magazine. “The company is also moving into technology-related products.”
“The Editorial board of CEO Insights has scrutinised the list via frequent deliberations by a renowned panel of industry’s topmost CEOs, directors, VCs, and industry analysts, throughout the year,” the magazine further writes, adding that evaluating the scenarios in versatile perceptions has brought CEO Insights to shortlist the startups which are creating a name for themselves through innovative business ideas, cutting-edge offerings, and unconditional customer support.
The magazine also writes that its objective behind publishing the list is to bring emerging startups in limelight and to guide individuals and businesses to partner with the Indian Companies as Indian companies are the major investors in Nepal and India’s first choice is Nepal for the investment destination.

Top 10 Emerging Startups in Nepal - 2020
1. Asia Corporation
2. Hamro Technology
3. Himalayan Wonders
4. JATA Digital
5. Mapleyak
6. Mero Network
7. My Careers HR Solutions
8. Palm Mind
9. Sarvanam Software
10. Vidinterest

Nepal Police arrest 122 Chinese nationals suspected of cyber crime

Nepal Police today held some 122 Chinese nationals, who entered Nepal on tourist and student visas, on suspicion of their involvement in cyber and financial crime.
They were arrested from seven private residences – some 3 in Manamaiju and 2 each in Bansbari and Budhanilkantha – today. Police also confiscated a large number of laptops and mobile phones from their apartments, Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) under Nepal Police confirmed.
The operation was conducted by the CIB in coordination with Metropolitan Crime Division-Teku, Metropolitan Police Range-Teku, Metropolitan Police Office-Rani Pokhari and the Police Headquarters, the CIB said, adding that it is not known whether these Chinese nationals had valid visas to stay in Nepal or were overstaying.
The CIB is expecting to find out what exactly the Chinese nationals were doing in their rented apartments. “They were living secluded lives in rented apartments, which looked like offices,” the CIB said, adding that they also possessed special identity cards. “Anyone, who wanted to enter their apartments had to produce the IDs, which raised the eyebrows of police.”
The police said that they were arrested after monitoring their activities for few days using ‘urgent arrest warrants’, which allows police to detain suspects for up to 24 hours.
According to the CIB, most of the arrested Chinese nationals had visited Nepal on tourist visas but they were not engaged in touristic activities. “Some of them had also arrived in Nepal on student visas.”
Earlier, almost four months ago, police arrested some 6 Chinese nationals in connection with the the cyber heist in the banking sector, which saw illegal withdrawal of at least Rs 35.8 million from ATMs in Nepal and India.

CAN Info-Tech 2020 in February

CAN Info-Tech 2020 is going to be held in the capital in February next year.
Organising a press meet in the capital today, the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) informed that the biggest gala of information, communications and technology (ICT) is scheduled to be held at Brikuti Mandap on February 14-19 with an aim of promoting the use and development of information, communication and technology in the country.
General Secretary of CAN Narayan Thapa, on the occasion, said that the 2020 version of CAN Info-Tech will focus on creating awareness on ICT, explore the needs of industries and entrepreneurs and provide necessary supports related to ICT.
According to CAN, the technology gala will be organised in all the seven provinces – at Itahari of Province 1, Bigunj of Province 2 and Chitwan of Province 3, Pokhara of Gandaki Province, Butwal of Province 5, Surkhet of Karnali and Dhangadi of Sudur Paschim Provinceas the provincial version.
Newly elected president of CAN Nawaraj Kunwar, on the occasion, informed that an international level infotech will be organised in the near future in view of the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020).

ICT Start-up and Innovation Mela

Living with ICT magazine is organising ICT Start-up and Innovation Mela on December 20 and 21 in Kathmandu.
Earlier, the event was organised out of the valley. The event is being organised with an aim to promote products developed by startups related with information technology and innovation, according to the organiser. “There will be around 50 stalls of start-ups from across the country.”
Rockets, drones, and other software developed by Nepalis will be displayed during the event, the organiser said, adding that there will be workshops on artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) and cloud technology, start-ups and entrepreneurship will also be conducted during the event. “We expect around 10,000 visitors at the event.”

Private sector criticises government for imposing heavy tax

The private sector today criticised the government for imposing heavy taxes.
Speaking at a programme organised to mark the 8th National Tax Day, they also said that the privaye sector has not been able to meet basic expenditures due to heavy taxes imposed on them.
Senior vice president of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Shekhar Golcha and president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) Rajesh Kaji Shrestha complained the government for collecting heavy taxes putting burden on private sector.
Golchha, on the occasion, criticised the government for making the PAN card mandatory for all wage earners. “It has severely affected businesses of small entrepreneurs," he said, vowing to support the government in its bid to expand the base of the taxes. “We are ready to support the government in its campaign of achieving economic goals.”
Likewise, NCC president Shrestha urged the government to give relief to the industrialists and entrepreneurs by exempting unnecessary taxes on them.
Meanwhile, finance minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada, on the occasion, said that the government is committed to creating a conducive environment for the private sector although industrialists are facing some challenges due to tax in the new federal set-up. He said that the government has introduced a new tax system to make the industrialists and entrepreneurs more responsible.
The finance minister said the government was making needful preparations to mobilise three-fourths of total taxes from internal sources. “The government is committed at increasing the share of internal resources even though it may be hard in the beginning,” he said, adding that  the government will make amendment to tax policy and law. “The economy is in a transitional phase and the business fraternity will be used to be with VCTS, PAN, and other ICT systems soon.”

Genese collaborates with four colleges to provide cloud computing training and certification

Genese Solution – company specialised in the cloud computing ecosystem and web/software development – has signed strategic partnership agreements with four Kathmandu-based colleges to provide cloud computing training and certification to the students.
Educate Programme Lead of Genese Cloud Academy(GCA) Niranjan Udas signed MoUs with Academic Director of National College Nava Raj Heka, Principal of National College of Information Technology (NCIT) Niranjan Khakurel, director of Virinchi College Pradeep Pant and CEO of Texas College of Management and IT Bhesh Raj Pokhrel amidst a special signing ceremony organised in Kathmandu.
Genese has recently introduced the popular Amazon Web Service (AWS) Educate programme in Nepal to deliver industry-relevant cloud computing training and access to jobs globally through Amazon’s job portal. The colleges are 4 of the 25+ selected academic institutions across different cities of Nepal Genese is building strategic partnerships to encourage adoption of internationally recognised online training modules like the AWS Educate programme and Microsoft Learn programme to provide a pathway for students and teachers to access tools, courses, and certification on emerging cloud computing subjects.
Using a blended online training and in-person instruction approach, aided by training of trainers to sustainably upgrade the capacity and standards of the academic institutes, Genese intends to build the work-readiness of graduating students so that they are able to effectively enter and meet the productivity demands of the industry.
The skill training covers job roles such as Application Developer, Cloud Support Engineer, Cloud Support Associate, Cyber Security Specialist, and Data Integration Specialist, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Developer, IoT Developer, Digital Marketer and Business Analysts. Students involved in the training will be linked to AWS Educate job portal, giving them access to over 4,000 employers offering freelance and online jobs in the global market.
Talking about the collaboration with these colleges for providing cloud computing training and certification to students Educate Program Lead of Genese Solutions Niranjan Udas shared that they have seen a substantial number of students, who have a degree but don’t have proper skills that would place them in IT companies or IT-enabled companies. “Our idea of starting cloud computing education and training in Nepal is to bridge the gap between the industry and academia of Nepal,” he said, adding that the teaching model of GCA programme is demand-driven instead of supply-driven, which is achieved by collaborating with the private sector demands. “We are collaborating with national and international industry leaders in education, cloud computing, skill development, and entrepreneurship training to produce a work-ready workforce.”
Likewise, representing all four colleges Principal of NCIT Niranjan Khakurel shared that they are excited to sign the strategic partnership agreement with Genese for providing cloud computing training to the students. “Definitely, an academic degree alone is not enough to prepare a person for the very competitive job market,” he said, adding that they are optimistic that this training programme by Genese will be very helpful to prepare our students for the 21st-century workforce, and place them in jobs locally and globally.
While youth unemployment is a growing problem in Nepal, the IT industry has been finding it challenging to get qualified candidates to fill their vacancies. Through such collaborations, Genese Solution aims to train and equip college students in Nepal with the necessary knowledge and skills, provide job placements locally and globally, and reduce the youth unemployment problem to some extent.
The GCA programme is being conducted with co-investment from UKaid Skills for Employment Programme Challenge Fund – seepnepal.com – a four-year programme to train tomorrow’s workforce today and assure their placement in gainful employment.

CNI asks ambassadors to focus on economic cooperation

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has asked the newly appointed ambassadors of Nepal to Australia and Spain to focus on expansion of economic cooperation and promotion of tourism.
Organising a meeting with, Nepali ambassador to Australia Mahesh Dahal and, Nepali ambassador to Spain Dawa Futi Sherpa, the CNI raised issues that needed attention to promote Nepal’s trade and tourism.
On the occasion president of CNI Satish Kumar More said that there is a need of active participation of ambassadors to expand the relation with respective countries and investors in major sectors of investment like infrastructure, hydropower, tourism, modern agriculture and information technology to establish Nepal as an international investment destination.
Ambassador Dahal, replying the entrepreneurs said that enhancement of organisational relation between organisations, exchange visit of investors and development of technology to create skilled manpower were his prioritised areas.
Similarly, ambassador Sherpa said the number of tourists hailing from Spain was notable and to further increase the number and for the promotion of tourism, CNI’s support was important. 

Panel recommends NAC privatisation

A task force has recommended the government to privatise the national flag carrier, apart from proposing immediate reform measures in 13 areas.
The report also recommended divestment of 49 per cent of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) shares to Nepali and foreign investors and the public. The report has also suggested renaming NAC as Nepal Airlines Company Pvt Ltd, where the government would have 51 per cent stake, float 35 per cent shares for foreign or Nepali investors, 1.5 per cent shares for NAC staffers, 1.5 per cent for civil servants, six per cent for tourism entrepreneurs and five per cent for the public.
“NAC is operating under the Nepal Airlines Act-1962, while a lot has been changed in the aviation sector since last five decades,” former tourism secretary and coordinator of the task force – formed by the government on August 7 to bring reforms in NAC – Sushil Ghimire said, explaining the reason for the NAC’s inability to adapt to the changes. “NAC’s operation modality needs to be changed to make it competitive and commercially viable.”
Former tourism secretary Sushil Ghimire lead the team that includes chartered accountant (CA) Subodh Kumar Karna, management consultant Dim Prasad Poudel, captain Sudhir Sumsher Rai, and the tourism ministry’s joint secretary Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane.
Ghimire – submitting the report to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation today also said that the national flag carrier should uphold its corporate social responsibility (CSR), even if it is transformed into a profit-oriented company. “NAC should be operated under public-private partnership model,” he added.
The Ghimire-led committee is the seventh in two decades. Earlier too, many studies have been conducted and they have also recommended privatisation of NAC but the successive governments have not yet dared to reorganise the ailing government entity.
However, tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai – speaking at a press conference after receiving the report from the task force – directed the ministry to take action based on the recommendations by setting a timetable.
The NAC – which is on the brink of bankruptcy due to debts and a poor operation plan – has been facing financial crisis and the report has recommended the ministry to bring help the government entity to improve its financial health. According to the report, NAC’s total loss stands at Rs 5.21 billion, while has a debt burden of Rs 40 billion. “Its total assets amount to Rs 3.60 billion.”
NAC has failed to pay its installments for the last three quarters due to deepening financial crisis. But the report also suggested the government to renegotiate NAC’s interest rate as it is higher than the market rates. It has been paying an interest of Rs 3 billion annually to its lenders. “Lenders' investments are at risk since the corporation has already defaulted on three instalments,” according to the report.
NAC lenders – the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Citizen Investment Trust (CIT) – are state-owned entities but they have levied a high interest rate of 10.50 per cent, though the current market interest rate revolves around 6 per cent to 7 per cent.
Apart from recommending the NAC to conduct sector analysis, improve its fleet and flight management, the report has also urged to focus on human resource management as the national flag carrier lacks manpower. “The NAC has neither been able to offer attractive wages to new recruits nor has it given good raise to its current staff due to ailing financial condition,” the report reads, suggesting NAC to utilise information communication technology (ICT), conduct due diligence audit, upgrade its accounting system into Nepal Financial Reporting Standard (NFRS), analyse performance indicators, invest more in infrastructure including transit cargo store, passenger transit hall, hangar, helicopter service, catering services and establish flight training institutes.
Recommending the corporation to immediately add two Airbus 320 aircraft to fly to newly-identified destinations, the report asked the NAC to find out suitable destinations through sector analysis. “The additional aircraft will add flight frequency in the destinations where the NAC is making profit, and operate flights to NAC-identified destinations Riyadh, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Australia where the passenger flow is high,” the report reads, suggesting the NAC to procure aircraft directly from manufacturer as it maintains transparency and makes the work easier. “The NAC should include a representative of the government or the Finance Ministry in the NAC’s committee while negotiating to procure aircraft.”
The first report – prepared by a high-level committee led by former chief secretary Damodar Prasad Gautam in February 2002 – had also suggested purchasing aircraft directly from the manufacturer to prevent financial irregularities.
Another report by a committee – in August 2002 – led by economist Shankar Sharma had also suggested to either give 60 per cent shares to a foreign strategic partner and the rest was to be divided between NAC (10 per cent), tourism entrepreneurs (10 per cent), corporation employees (5 per cent) and public (10 percent), or dissolve the corporation, establish a new company and then allocate 60 per cent shares to a foreign airline.
Likewise, a report prepared by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in September 2004 had suggested a parent-subsidiary model. The parent company would look after international operations while the subsidiary would look after domestic operations. It had also suggested to gradually privatise the NAC.
In January 2010 too, another committee led by joint secretary at the Tourism Ministry Murari Bahadur Karki, suggested a company model, with 51 per cent shares going to the management partner and 49 per cent to the government.

UN launches a request for applications to unlock investment capital for women enterprises

The United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has launched a request for applications, which will provide up to $1.3 million in funding for the development of a Women Enterprise Impact Investment Fund in Asia-Pacific countries.
ESCAP’s grant capital can be used for operational development and expansion costs, legal fees, building investor networks, market research, identifying investable women enterprises, portfolio management, capacity building and monitoring of impact. Impact Investment Fund (IIF) partners are expected to leverage the funds to mobilise the private sector investment capital necessary to operate and launch a Women Enterprise Impact Investment Fund within one year.
“Leveraging private capital through impact investment can play a critical role in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” ESCAP deputy executive secretary Hongjoo Hahm, said, adding that ESCAP is excited to announce the request for applications and looks forward to working with Impact Investment Funds to unlock the capital urgently required to meet the funding gap faced by women entrepreneurs in the Asia-Pacific region. “Applicants are asked to take a gender lens investing approach, with the specific intent to create a positive impact on women enterprises.”
It can be in the form of investing in enterprises which are majority owned by women (51 per cent), managed by a woman, a majority of the board members are women, and/or investing in enterprises which support, empower and develop the capacities of women.
Applicants can be based anywhere globally, however the Women Enterprise Impact Fund must invest in women enterprises in one or several of the following countries including Cambodia, Viet Nam, Bangladesh, Nepal, Fiji and-or Samoa, the ESCAP press note reads, adding that applications are open to all organisations which hold a not-for-profit status, government and multilateral entities, who have the skills and expertise in developing similar initiatives. “It is expected that the applicant would be able to mobilise the investment capital necessary to provide investment to women enterprises.”
The successful applications will receive up to $1.3 million in grant funding, technical assistance and support in obtaining regulatory approvals where necessary, it adds.
This initiative is part of ESCAP’s ‘Catalysing Women’s Entrepreneurship: Creating a Gender-Responsive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem’ project. The project aims to create an enabling policy and business environment that enhances women entrepreneurs’ access to capital through innovative financing mechanisms as well as increase their use of ICT and digital solutions. The project is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada.

Canada grant supports UN ESCAP’s project to help women entrepreneurs in Nepal

Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Government of Nepal, held a consultation today related to a new initiative to support the growth of women entrepreneurs as a strategy to address poverty reduction, improve social well-being and promote sustainable economic growth.
The five-year project titled, ‘Catalyzing Women’s Entrepreneurship: Creating a Gender-Responsive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem’ aims to create an enabling policy and business environment that enhances women entrepreneurs’ access to capital through innovative financing mechanisms as well as increase their use of ICT and digital solutions.
In September 2018, Global Affairs Canada announced a $13.9 million grant to ESCAP, over five years (2018-2023) for projects that aim to reduce the barriers women-owned micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific face in growing their businesses. For example, access to finance is a key barrier that the project will address through the use of innovative financing mechanisms, such as impact investing and women`s bonds.
More than 110 policymakers, MSME representatives and other stakeholders participated in today’s national consultation on integrating women’s needs and considerations into policy and other initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and creating an enabling environment for businesses.
“Promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls is the most effective approach to achieving sustainable development goals,” said acting deputy ambassador of Canada to Nepal Amanda Strohan. “However, women entrepreneurs continue to face barriers,” she said, adding that tackling the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs will require innovative approaches, including novel financing mechanisms and technologies. “Canada is pleased to support the Catalysing Women’s Entrepreneurship project to provide women-owned enterprises in Nepal with the resources, skills and an enabling environment needed to grow their businesses and generate sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”
“Developing women’s entrepreneurship presents an invaluable tool for boosting Nepal’s economy as well as empowering women,” said UN under-secretary-general and executive secretary of ESCAP Armida Alisjahbana. “Yet women’s entrepreneurship is hindered by lack of access to finance and ICT tools for business development,” she said, adding that the case for investing in women’s economic empowerment is compelling. “Women are true agents of change whose innovations can lift companies, communities, and countries. Together, governments, the UN, civil society and the private sector can improve women’s and girls’ prospects.”
During the consultation, ESCAP and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) announced the winners of the project’s Women Fintech MSME Innovation Fund and thanked the Government of Canada, the Dutch Development Bank (FMO) and Visa Inc for their support to this initiative.
Nepal’s Aeloi Technologies and Khalti (Sparrow Pay) were among the 10 winning innovative business models.
In recent years, Nepal has made significant progress regarding its socio-economic status. However, it is estimated that women own only three per cent of MSMEs and face various barriers to entrepreneurship. These barriers include, amongst others, limited access to finance and ICT infrastructure, lack of financial and business knowledge, and discriminatory social norms.
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives announced a total grant of $77,900 to three projects to be implemented by civil society organizations in Nepal this year. The projects include reducing incidences of sexual and gender-based violence in Godavari Municipality in Nepal through transformative behavioural change, including awareness-raising, training and advocacy; to be implemented by Prerana. Likewise, decreasing violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people in Nepal through sensitisation workshops, capacity building, media messaging, and local stakeholder coordination meetings; to be implemented by Blue Diamond Society, and promoting the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices among female smallholder farmers of Kageshwori Manohara Municipality through integrated training and establishment of resource centres/demonstration sites of Climate Smart technologies; to be implemented by Small Earth Nepal.

Khalti founder receives ICT award

The founder member of Khalti mobile wallet Amrit Agrawal has secured the Entrepreneur ICT Award 2019 today. Khalti Mobile Wallet has received this award for digitalising the financial activities in the country.
Likewise, Fuse Machine Nepal has won the Nepali Daispora ICT Award 2019 for making artificial intelligence (AI) accessible to everyone through education, software and services. It provides training to tech and software graduates to become AI engineers as well as provides AI products for sales.
Similarly, founder of National Innovation Centre Mahabir Pun has received the Pioneer ICT Award 2019. While receiving his award, Pun requested stakeholders not to honour him with these kinds of awards. “It has now become a burden for me to receive such awards,” he said, adding that he still has a lot of things to do and he is still struggling.
Likewise, the Public Service Commission has received the Digital Governance ICT Award 2019 for utilising ICT to communicate and provide services to the public. Similarly, Digital Education ICT award has been received by Nepal Open University for promoting digital education system in the country. Rising Student ICT award has been received by Raktadan app that has been created by a team of students includes Alex Bhattarai, Anish Dulal, Mitesh Pandey, Nishesh Wale and Vivek Timalsina from Pulchowk Engineering College. The app facilitates blood donation campaigns as well as those who need and those who want to donate blood.
Similarly, Product ICT Award 2019 has been provided to Mediflow system and services, a product created by Mediflow Solutions. The product is helpful for hospitals to keep records of patients. It is also useful for patients seeking information related to their ailment and related doctors.
Similarly, E-digital Nepal has secured ICT Start-up Company Award for creating student management system software for more than 100 schools. The Public Choice ICT Award, however, has been received by an online bookstore app called Kitab Yatra.

Thegana, a new address system in Nepal

Thegana Services has announced the launch of Thegana – a mobile phone App – that’s compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems.
“Android version is available now and iOS will be coming in a week,” chief executive officer of Thegana Services Bishal KC said, adding that ‘Thegana’ is a re-engineered address system which divides the surface of Nepal into 858 million squares that are (14m x 14m) each, and every one of them identified with unique fixed codes. “The codes give addresses to everyone everywhere, allowing them to receive deliveries, access emergency services, register the address to a bank account, navigate to and from, and more.”
The main goal of ‘Thegana’ is to provide everyone with an electronic address, a press note issued by the company reads. ‘Thegana’ code is more accurate than the existing physical street address, it reads, adding that the people can pinpoint a specific location anywhere in Nepal and communicate with it more quickly and easily than any other method. “One of the key features of ‘Thegana’ App is that it works offline.”
In order to ascertain a user’s location, ‘Thegana’ code is composed of 9 characters – the first 3 corresponds to a district and the latter 6 to a specific location in that district. For example, ‘Thegana’ address for General Post Office, Sundhara, Kathmandu is KTM-P82746 (KTM for Kathmandu district). Likewise, the address for Ashoka Pillar in Lumbini is RUP-F79GV6 (RUP for Rupandehi district). The last 6 characters can also be customised to one’s liking by registering it with the app, the press note reads, “For example, Thegana has customised its office address to KTM-HELLO.”
‘Thegana’ will provide users with greater working flexibility by integrating and digitising existing addresses and assigning unique ‘Thegana Codes’ to them, KC said, adding that ‘Thegana’ has worked hard to roll out the initial release Nationwide so everyone from every corner of the country. “As we know, the addressing system in Nepal is poor, thus and we have incorporated crowdsourcing mechanism to collect, verify and digitise existing addresses.”
In times of natural disasters, for example, ‘Thegana’ can provide the simplest way to communicate with a specific location, which can be critical to effective disaster response, which ‘Thegana’ is able to address effectively. “The App also comes with turn-by-turn navigation option.”
Thegana Services has already partnered with few local authorities to provide a much-needed proper addressing system, he said, “Bouddha Ward No. 6, Kathmandu has taken that first step in addressing the need of proper addressing system by working with ‘Thegana’.
“We have been talking about ‘Smart Cities’ for quite some time now, and smart addressing system is the foundation of making the rest of the features of ‘Smart City’ truly smart, as address is one of the basic elements of communication between individuals, businesses and public institutions alike,” according to KC. “The lack of a complete, accurate and proper addressing system constitutes a major socio-economic challenge in Nepal,” he said, adding that without an address, we might as well be non- existent, let alone calling oneself a citizen of a smart city. “Thegana App has been designed to work seamlessly with our other services, enabling a rich user experience made with modern mobile framework to meet user needs wherever and whenever they need.”