US to train construction professionals

The US Government – through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) – today announced three initiatives to support Nepal’s model of owner-driven housing reconstruction following the devastating April 25 earthquake.
Building on previous investments, USAID programmes will train an estimated 13,500 local construction professionals and educate more than 285,000 affected homeowners on building earthquake-resistant homes over the next five years, reads a press note issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu today.
Baliyo Ghar (Strong House) is a five-year, $8-million project that will train local masons, carpenters, engineers, and affected homeowners. Baliyo Ghar will also support the establishment of a National Reconstruction Technology Center and three training centers at the district and local levels in Dolakha, Dhading, and Nuwakot districts, it said, adding that Baliyo Ghar will be implemented by the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET) in cooperation with the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training, and National Planning Commission (NPC).
“This week, as Nepal marks six months since the April 25 earthquake, we are pleased to announce our new and expanded initiatives and pledge that we will continue to help rebuild a safer and stronger Nepal,” shared US ambassador to Nepal Alaina B Teplitz.
"These new projects and expansions of existing programs are valued at more than $20 million," she said, adding that they are part of the $130 million committed by the US government in response to the earthquake and demonstrate US continued commitment to Nepal.
According to the press note, USAID will also expand its ongoing resilience project, Sabal, to invest $2.7 million in training local masons in Sindhupalchok and Kavrepalanchok districts. In addition, USAID has made a $9.6 million contribution to the World Bank Nepal Earthquake Reconstruction Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MTDF). The contribution will directly support the government-led beneficiary survey in the 14 most-affected districts, as well as the provision of housing reconstruction cash grants to affected homeowners.

Taskforce to check piracy on cards

Nepal Copy Right Office is planning to form a Joint Anti-Piracy Task Force including representatives from various organisations directly and indirectly affected by piracy and copyright issues to increase awareness of copyright among the business community and consumers, according to a draft action plan.

Similarly, the action plan has also envisioned an Anti-Piracy Promotion Fund with regular support from participating organisations of Joint Anti-Piracy Task Force.

The expression industry has to get its due recognition, said registrar at the office Bisu KC at an interaction organised by the US Embassy and Samriddhi Foundation, here today.

Joint secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bishnu Raj Karki, appreciating the idea of the joint task force. He also suggested a formal advisory body under Nepal Copy Right Office to unify and guide the effort.

The ministry will support the initiative to save the expression industry and could arrange a national convention by the end of the fiscal year, he informed.
The expression industry’s contribution to the GDP stands at around 10 per cent in the developed countries, but the government has not yet recognized its contribution, Karki said, adding that the piracy has bleed the government coffer blue.

Music Association of Nepal has its own action plan to fight piracy, said immediate past president of the association Bhagwan Kumar Shrestha. "The association has both short-term as well as long-term goals, he said, adding that the plan includes awareness campaigns, stakeholders' self-initiation, monitoring and proper implementation of law in the short-term. "Likewise, in the long-term, he shared, "continuing the short-term plan for at least five years will help reduce piracy by at least 30 per cent."

The idea of intellectual property as private property has to be instilled in the society. Not only the creator, but also the government is losing out on taxes due to piracy that needs to be checked, Shrestha added.

US business team in Nepal looking for investment opportunity

A delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce in India has arrived in Kathmandu for a three-day long visit. The trade mission — the first by a US business organisation in 13 years — will explore investment and trade opportunities in Nepal. The important visit demonstrates the renewed American interest in Nepal’s economy building on the recently-signed US-Nepal Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), according to the US embassy.
The Embassy hopes to expand the economic ties between the United States and Nepal by inviting more investment to Nepal.
The delegation of nine US companies including Johnson & Johnson, GE Healthcare, Rockwell Automation, Monsanto, and Bell Helicopter will meet the Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, senior government officials, UCPN-Maoist leaders — Puspa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Vaidhya ‘Kiran’ alongwith other political leaders, private sector players, tomorrow.