UNFPA and UK Government handover IT equipment to Central Bureau of Statistics for census

 The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) handed over IT equipment today to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), as the later ramps up its preparations for the 12th National Population and Housing Census (NPHC).

The first census to be conducted under the new Constitution and federal structure is going to take place in June 2021.

According to a press note issued by the UNFPA, the IT equipment, which is worth $609,873 (Rs 72 million), has been procured by UNFPA with UKaid funding and comprises of 2,250 tablets with power-banks and accessories, 35 laptops, 47 desktop computers, five mobile work-stations, one server, three high resolution printers and relevant software licenses. “It will enable CBS to produce census data that meets the highest technological standards.”

The need for high-quality and reliable population data has been underscored by the global Covid-19 pandemic, and is also essential to measure Nepal’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with their strong commitment of leaving no one behind. The use of innovative technology in the 2021 NPHC – including tablets in selected census enumeration areas – will ensure that CBS captures detailed data on how many people are living in the country – disaggregated to the lowest administrative level¬– and how they are living – their health and well-being, problems and prospects and socio-economic circumstances, the press note reads, adding that the 2021 NPHC data will be invaluable for policymakers and planners to understand the situation across the country, development needs and where or how to invest in everything from schools to health care to roads.

The government is committed to conduct the 2021 NPHC in line with international standards, and to ensure that the data collected are used to improve the lives and realise the rights of those who are at risk of being left behind.

“We commit to undertake the census to address the data gaps at the lowest administrative level while ensuring that the health and safety precautions of our personnel and the respondents is in compliance with government guidance,” remarked director general of CBS Nebin Lal Shrestha. The CBS is leading census operations under the guidance of the National Census Steering Committee chaired by the National Planning Commission (NPC) vice chair.

The IT equipment will strengthen the CBS’s infrastructure and capacity and complements its efforts to modernise the census operation through amulti-method approach of data collection, the press note reads, adding that UNFPA is supporting Nepal to undertake the12thNPHC, recognising that reliable and timely data is the foundation of sustainable and inclusive development in Nepal. “The census is the cornerstone of the statistical infrastructure, it provides a numerical profile of the country hence is of great value to the public and government alike.”

UNFPA is proud to offer technical and financial support to Nepal to ensure that the census is of high-quality, upholds international standards, and produces data that are widely disseminated and utilised for development gains,” said UNFPA country representative in Nepal Lubna Baqi. “The UK’s support to Nepal always aims to be based on data that is reliable and which includes everyone,” she said, adding that the census is one of the most important chances to capture data so that any number of organisations – from government through to development partners and community organisations – can direct their assistance in the best way. “In turn this will help improve the services provided to women, men, children, poor, the vulnerable and other groups of people.”

“I am pleased that the UK has been able to contribute equipment and technology in this way through our partners at UNFPA and the CBS,” development director at the British Embassy Kathmandu Lisa Honan said.

Young data enthusiasts tackle development challenges at first-of-its-kind Nepal Solve-a-thon 2019

World Bank and The Asia Foundation – in support with UKAid – organised a two-day Solve-a-thon, the first of its kind, at the Kathmandu University School of Management (Kusom).
The event – that concluded today – brought together data scientists, programmers, developers, researchers, and professionals with diverse backgrounds and provided them a platform to work collaboratively on data-driven projects to tackle developmental challenges.
“Youth in Nepal have immense potential to drive progress faster, if they have access to data and proper mentorship,” World Bank country manager for Nepal Faris Hadad-Zervos said, adding that prototypes of products that came out of this two-day solve-a-thon validates that – from building a chatbot that lets Nepalis keep track of air quality, and a dashboard to monitor tourist flow in Nepal. “To see how Nepal’s young data enthusiasts can come up with a range of solutions to help improve lives in Nepal is indeed fascinating.”
After a public call for application, the programme received over 100 entries – individual and team applications combined – which were then screened based on the applicant’s technical and subject matter expertise along with their willingness and potential to continue contributing to the data space. A total of 55 participants and 14 mentors participated in the Solve-a-thon. Teams were formed based on the skill sets and expertise of the participants to ensure cross-pollination of ideas and effective collaboration. Over the two days, the participating teams worked with mentors and respective domain experts to come up with solutions, refine them and devise various prototypes.
The participants worked on nine different projects; three culminated from the 100-hour Nepal Data Literacy Programme organised by the World Bank from June-November, three were proposed by the participants, and three selected by the team based on the pertinent developmental issues and availability of data. The participants tackled issues like air pollution, tourism and women’s access to finance coming up with solutions such as autobots to communicate air quality and precautionary actions, a dashboard to visualise tourism data, and an app-based budgeting tool for women.
“Development work in Nepal brings up great opportunities but also many challenges,” statistics advisor at DFID Craig Irwin said. “In the face of difficult or controversial issues, understanding and being able to use data and evidence empowers us to be brave; clearly setting out the issues at hand, identifying the priorities and holding ourselves, and others, to account to take the necessary steps.”
At the end of the event, the teams presented their work via a series of lightning talks. Each team was provided with an opportunity to submit their detailed proposals and receive funding from the programme to further develop their prototypes.
The World Bank, jointly with The Asia Foundation, will select two to five proposals based on the availability of data for prototyping and its possibility to generate actionable solutions. In addition to receiving financial support, the selected proposals will also receive technical support for further development of the project. 
“It is a pleasure to be part of this community working to make data accessible and open to all,” country representative for Nepal at The Asia Foundation Megan Nalbo said, adding that they, however, need to strengthen the community further. “The open data expo is a great platform to connect the budding data enthusiasts with the existing data entrepreneurs.”
The two-day Solve-a-thon concluded with an open data expo that brought together 14 local and regional organisations working in open data space. Organised to exhibit products and services based on an open-data model, the expo sparked a broader discussion on data usage to solve complex problems of everyday life. It attracted around 100 participants from the government, private sector, donor communities, academia, open data community, civil society and media.
“The expo helped to bridge the gap between data-based product and service providers, and their potential users,” participants said, adding that it was a pleasure to connect and network with other Nepali organisations, who have been working to derive open-data based solutions.

Visit Nepal 2020 collaborates with Seep Challenge Fund

Visit Nepal 2020 Secretariat and the UKAid Skills for Employment Programme (Seep) have collaborated for 'better skilling and up-skilling initiatives' in the tourism sector, as announced at an event held in Kathmandu today.
Speaking on the occasion, national coordinator of Visit Nepal Year 2020 Suraj Vaidya said that the country needs to think and take tourism mindset and efforts beyond Mt Everest, Pokhara or Chitwan. “For us at the VNY2020 campaign, the success metric is not just bringing in 2 million tourists but also creating new investments, new jobs, and new opportunities for enterprising Nepalis, especially our migrant returnees coming back with skills and resources,” he said.
Addressing the occasion private sector development advisor at the Department of International Development (DFID) Nepal Rob Clark said that this year's theme of 'Tourism and Jobs: A Better Future for All' was apt and timely for both Nepal and the UKAid Seep in the context of VNY2020.

Central bank launches RTGS in banking sector

The central bank has formally launched real time gross settlement (RTGS) from today.
Central bank governor Dr Chiranjibi Nepal and Lord Mayor of London (UK) Peter Estlin jointly inaugurated the high-value cheque payment system in real-time amid a function held today.
The UKAid is technically supporting Nepal for the launch and implementation of the RTGS in Nepal. “The launch of RTGS will not only ensure the clearance and settlement of high-value cheques within a few seconds, but will also curb possible transactions from money launderers and terrorists,” governor Nepal said, on the occasion.
Though, the central bank has inked agreements with all the 28 commercial banks to adopt the RTGS, Machhapuchchhre Bank and Nepal Investment Bank have adopted the system for the first time.
The central bank has made RTGS mandatory only for commercial banks at present but it will be implemented among development banks and finance companies within the next few months.
According to the central bank, the RTGS has been made voluntary for transactions of above Rs 200,000 while transactions of above Rs 2 million have to mandatorily be made through the RTGS.
Prior to the implementation of RTGS, banking institutions have been taking anywhere from few hours and two days to clear and settle a cheque that is issued by a bank and deposited at the other.
Currently, Nepal Clearing House Ltd (NCHL) – a public company established jointly by central bank, banks and financial institutions – is handling all works related to clearing and settlement of cheques, using electronic cheque clearing system.
After the RTGS is fully implemented, a customer will even be able to make payments without issuing cheques, according to the central bank.