World Bank senior managing director visits Nepal

The World Bank’s senior managing director Axel van Trotsenburg arrived in Kathmandu today on his first official visit to Nepal, to meet with government and other stakeholders and chair the Third Replenishment meeting of the World Bank’s fund for low-income countries, the International Development Association (IDA).

As part of his five-day visit, today, Trotsenburg met with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, finance minister Barsha Man Pun, chief secretary Baikuntha Aryal, and development partners.

Trotsenburg will chair the Third IDA21 Replenishment meeting hosted by the government in Kathmandu on June 18-21. The International Development Association (IDA) is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s low-income countries.

In 2024, IDA is working with donors and borrowing countries to replenish resources that will be used to deliver on global development goals. IDA21-- the 21st replenishment round since 1960 -- will work to end poverty on a livable planet.

The four-day IDA21 meeting in Kathmandu will bring together officials from 65 donor governments and representatives of borrowing member countries who will discuss the proposed IDA21 policy focus areas--people, planet, prosperity, infrastructure, and digitalisation. They will also look at financing scenarios, the level of donor contributions required to support these scenarios and assess the financing needs of countries supported by IDA.

Trotsenburg will also visit the IDA-financed Earthquake Housing Reconstruction Project in Rabiopi in Bagmati Province as part of the replenishment meeting.

The Third IDA21 Replenishment meeting will also be attended by other senior World Bank Group officials, including World Bank managing director for Operations Anna Bjerde and managing director and World Bank Group chief financial officer Anshula Kant.

भारतीय चुनाव: मोदीको ‘कट्टरपन्थी धर्मराजनीति’ जनताद्वारा अस्वीकृत, नेपालले के सिक्ने ?

सन् २०१९ को चुनाव लड्दा भारतीय प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदी र उनको राजनीतिक दल भारतीय जनता पार्टी (भाजपा) को नारा थियो, अयोध्यामा राम मन्दिर बनाउने ।

वर्षौदेखि विवादीत स्थानमा राम मन्दिर बनाउने भाजपाको नाराले सन् २०१९ मा राम्रै भोट बटुल्न सफल भयो ।

भाजपाको राजनीतिको ठूलो आधार हिन्दुत्वको कार्ड बिक्यो । त्यसैले, सन् २०२४ को जनवरी २२ मा एक भब्य समारोहबीच प्रधानमन्त्री मोदीले राम मन्दिरमा प्राण प्रतिष्ठा गरेर उद्घाटन गरे, आफ्नो वाचा पुरा गरे र यसपटकको चुनावको घोषणा गरे ।

तर, करिब ४ महिनापछि अप्रिल ४ तारिखमा चुनावको मत परिणाम घोषणा हुँदा भाजपा अयोध्यामा नै हार्यो । राम मन्दिरलाई राजनीतिमा प्रयोग गर्ने भाजपाको रणनीति असफल भयो ।

नीतीश र नायडूलाई साथमा राख्न मोदीलाई चुनौती, पुरानो सम्बन्धले समस्या ?

राम मंदिरको उद्घाटनको करिब ४ महिनापछि नै फैजाबाद (जसलाई पछिल्लो समय अयोध्या भनिन्छ) लोकसभा चुनावमा अखिलेश यादवको समाजवादी पार्टीका उम्मेद्वार अवधेश प्रसादले भाजपाका उम्मेद्वार लल्लू सिंहलाई ५४,५६७ भोटले चुनाव हराइदिए ।

भारतीय संचारमाध्यमहरुका अनुसार भगवान रामले पनि भाजपालाई जिताउन सकेनन् । अयोध्यामा मात्र होइन अयोध्याको १०० किलोमिटर वरिपरि पनि भाजपाले एउटै सिट जित्न सकेन । करिब १६ अर्ब रुपैयाँको बजेटमा अयोध्याको कायापलट गरेर ग्लोबल सिटी बनाउने भाजपाको योजना पनि चुनावमा बिकेन ।

यसरी यस पटकको चुनावमा भगवा अर्थात् गेरुवा राजनीतिक रणनीति असफल हुनुका पछाडि भारतमा भाजपाको आडमा धार्मिक कट्टरपन्थी बढ्नुलाई प्रमुख मानिन्छ । र मानिन्छ, यस पटकको चुनावले विश्वको सबैभन्दा ठूलो लोकतन्त्रलाई कट्टरपन्थी मार्गतिर जानबाट जोगाएको छ ।

धर्मलाई राजनीतिमा जोडेर फाइदा लिने भाजपाको रणनीति चुनावमा असफल बनाउने एउटा पात्र हुन्, उत्तर प्रदेशका अखिलेश यादव र उनको समाजवादी पार्टी । ५० वर्षीय अखिलेश यादव र उनको समाजवादी पार्टीले यस पटकको भारतको लोकसभा चुनावमा भाजपाको एनडीए गठबन्धनलाई तगडा झट्का दिएको छ ।

कुनै समयका उत्तर प्रदेशका मुख्यमंत्री मुलायम सिंह यादवका छोरा अखिलेश यादवले एक्लै उत्तर प्रदेशमा भाजपाका नेता योगी आदित्यनाथको धार्मिक अतिवादविरुद्ध लड्दै आएका थिए । र, चुनावमा उनको पार्टीले उत्तर प्रदेशमा ल्याएको मतका कारण भारतमा पनि अब धार्मिक कट्टरपन्थी राजनीति टिक्दैन भन्ने देखाएको छ ।

सत्तारुढ भाजपा नेतृत्वको एनडीए गठबन्धनले बहुमत ल्याएको छ । तर, समाजवादी पार्टी सहितको विपक्षी भारतीय कांग्रेस नेतृत्वको इन्डिया गठबन्धन अघिल्लो चुनावमाभन्दा धेरै बलियो भएर आएको छ ।

ताजा चुनावी परिणामअनुसार भाजपाले २४०, कांग्रेसले ९९, समाजवादी पार्टीले ३७, तृणमूल काँग्रेसले २९, डीएमकेले २२, तेलुगु देशमले १६, जनता दल (युनाइटेड)ले १२, शिव सेना (उद्धव ठाकरे)ले ९, एनसीपी (शरद पवार)ले ८ र शिवसेना (शिंदे)ले ७ सिट जितेका छन् ।

भारतको लोकसभा भनेको नेपालको प्रतिनिधिसभा जस्तै हो । नेपालको प्रतिनिधिसभामा जस्तै भारतको लोमसभामा बहुमत ल्याउनेले सरकार बनाउँछ । भारतको लोकसभामा ५४३ सिट छ । त्यसैले बहुमत पुर्याउन २७२ सिट जित्नु पर्दछ । सन् २०१९ को चुनावमा भाजपा एक्लैले ३०३ सिट जितेको थियो भने भाजपा नेतृत्वको एनडीए गठबन्धनले ३५२ सिट जितेको थियो ।

त्यसैले सन् २०१९ देखिको आफ्नो दोस्रो कार्यकाल पनि प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदीले अकन्टक सरकार चलाए । उनले सरकारमात्र चलाएनन्, संबिधान चलाए, अनि लोकतान्त्रिक संस्थाहरुका साथै लोकतन्त्रको आधारस्तम्भ पत्रकारिता पनि चलाए । भारतको सिको गरेर नेपालमा पनि सरकारले आफ्नो आलोचना गर्ने संचार माध्यमलाई तह लगाउन विभिन्न दाउपेच सुरु गरेको हो ।

इतिहास साक्षी छ, नेपालका नेताहरुले भारतबाट असलभन्दा खराब अभ्यास धेरै सिकेका छन् । तर, अब जसै भारतमा यसपटकको चुनावको नतिजाले सिमित लोकतन्त्रको अभ्यासको रिहल्सनलाई पूर्णविराम लगाइदिएको छ । नेपालमा पनि सत्तासिनहरुले बुझ्लान् यो इसारा, अखिर जनता नै जनार्दन हुन्, लोकतन्त्रमा । नभए नेपालमा पनि ८४ त आइ नै हाल्छ ।

खैर, यसपटकको लोकसभा चुनावमा भाजपाले २४० सिट जितेको छ । जुन बहुमत पुग्न चाहिने २७२ भन्दा ३२ सिट कम हो । तर, भाजपा नेतृत्वको गठबन्धन एनडीएले प्राप्त गरेको २९२ सिट भने बहुमत जुटाउन पुग्छ । र, सरकार फेरि तत्कालका लागि मोदीले नै बनाउने छन् । किनकि, यस पटकको लोकसभा चुनावमा कुल मत ०.७ प्रतिशत घटेपनि ६० सिट गुमाएर भाजपाले एक्लै सरकार बनाउन नसक्ने भएको त छ तर गठबन्धनका कारण सरकार भने बनाउने छ । तर त्यो गठबन्धन सरकार कति टिक्छ, त्यो ‘अबकी बार बदला मोदी सरकार’ले देखाउने नै छ ।

यसको निक्र्योल एनडीएका साझेदारहरुको हातमा छ । एनडीएको २९२ सिटमा भाजपा २४० सिटसहित सबैभन्दा ठूलो दल भएपनि एक्लै सरकार बनाउन सक्ने अवस्था नभएका कारण गठबन्धनका टीडीपी र जेडीयुको भूमिका बढेको छ । भूमिका बढेसँगै जेडीयुका नेता नितीशकुमार र टीडीपीका नेता चन्द्रबाबु नायडुको महत्वाकांक्षा कति बढ्छ त्यो हेर्न बाँकी नै छ । किनकि यी दुबैजना सत्ता राजनीतिमा छिटोछिटो गठबन्धन फेरिरहने नेताका रुपमा चिनिन्छन् ।

यो बदलावसँगै भारतको छिमेक नीति पनि कस्तो होला, समयले नै बताउने छ । किनकि, मोदीले २०१४ को सत्तारोहणको सुरुदेखि नै ‘नेवरहुड फस्ट’को नीति लिए पनि पछिल्ला वर्षहरुमा दक्षिण एसियाका सबैजसो देशसँग सम्बन्ध सुमधुर रहेको छैन, भलै मोदी आफुलाई विश्वगुरु भन्न रुचाउँछन् ।

यसरी, सन् २०१९ मा एक्लै सरकार बनाउन पुग्ने सिट हुँदा पनि एनडीए गठबन्धन बनाएको भाजपा यसपटक एनडीए गठबन्धनको कूल २९२ सिटका कारण सरकार बनाउन त सक्ने भयो तर अघिल्लो पाँच वर्ष झैं अकन्टक राज्य चलाउन भने मोदीलाई सहज छैन । यसले पनि भारतको छिमेक नीतिलाई सहज बनाउने अपेक्ष गर्न सकिन्छ ।

यसपटकको भारतको लोकसभा चुनावको पहिलो चरणको मतदान अप्रिल १९ मा सुरु भएको थियो भने अन्तिम चरणको मतदान जुन १ मा भएको थियो । एक महिनाभन्दा बढि लगाएर ९ चरणमा भएको विश्वको सबैभन्दा ठूलो लोकतन्त्रको चुनावले एकपटक फेरि लोकतन्त्रमा जनता नै सर्वेसर्वा हुन्छन् भनेर सावित गरिदियो । यो पनि नेपालजस्ता छिमेकिको लागि एउटा राम्रै पाठ हो । किनकि, पछिल्ला वर्षहरुमा नेपालमा पनि म नै राज्य हुँ, म नै कानुन हुँ भन्ने जस्ता मोदी प्रबृत्तीले टाउको उठाउन थालेको देखिन्छ । तर अब मोदीको चुनावी परिणामले सुध्रने मौका आएको छ ।

संचारमाध्यमहरुका अनुसार, भारतीय जनताले धार्मिक अतिवादलाई परास्त गर्नुका साथसाथै राजनीतिक तथा आर्थिक सुधार पनि खोजेका छन् । जस्तै, चुनाव प्रचारका क्रममा भाजपाले कांग्रेस सत्तामा आए संपत्ति बाँडिदिने डर देखाएको थियो । जसलाई जनताले अस्विकार गरेका छन् । यसबाट चुनावमा जे बोलेर पनि भोट तान्न सकिन्छ भन्ने सोच भएका नेपालका नयाँ तथा पुराना सबै दलले शिक्षा लेलान् भन्ने पनि आशा गरौं ।

यसैगरि, जनता जनताबिच ’ध्रुवीकरणको राजनीति’ र ’अल्पसंख्यक मुसलमानप्रतिको असहिष्णु’ ब्यवहारका कारण पनि भाजपाको मतपरिणामा सन् २०१९ भन्दा कम भएको देखिन्छ ।

नेपालमा पनि केहि राजनीतिक दलले ’ध्रुवीकरणको राजनीति’ र ’अल्पसंख्यक तथा महिलाप्रतिको असहिष्णु’ ब्यवहार देखाउनुअघि भारतको चुनावको परिणाम पक्कै सम्झेलान् । अनि राज्यसत्ता र संयन्त्रको चरम दूरुपयोग गर्दा पनि जनाताले कसरी हैसियत देखाइदिन सक्छन् भन्ने हेक्का राख्न पनि यसपटकको भारतको लोकसभा चुनाव गतिलै उदाहरण भएको छ ।

यस्तै, भाजपाको ’मोदी की गारंटी’ अर्थात् वितरणमुखि चुनावी घोषणापत्रमा दिइएको आश्वासन पनि भारतीय जनताले पत्याएनन् । मोदीले गरीब, युवा, किसान र महिलालाई विशेष सहुलियत दिने भन्दै वितरणमुखि कार्यक्रम ल्याएका थिए ।

’फ्रिबी पोलिटिक्स’ अर्थात् वितरणमुखि राजनीतिले दीर्घकालमा राजनीतिक दललाई त फाइदा गर्दैन नै नेपालजस्तो सानो अर्थतन्त्रलाई त धरासयी नै बनाउँछ, हेक्का गर्नु पर्ने कुरा हो पनि यो भारतीय चुनावको ।

अन्यथा भारतीय प्रधानमन्त्री मोदीको ’पीएम गरीब कल्याण अन्न योजना’ अन्तर्गत आगामी पाँच वर्षमा ८० करोड़ भारतीयलाई फ्रि राशन दिने, ’आयुष्मान भारत’ अन्तर्गत बिनाशुल्क औषधी उपचार गरिदिने अनि ’पीएम आवास योजना’ लगायत खाना पकाउने ग्यास बाँड्ने ’पीएम उज्ज्वला योजना’, जस्ता लोकप्रिय तथा वितरणमुखि कार्यक्रमले जनतालाई आकर्षण गर्नु पर्ने हो अनि भाजपाको योजनाअनुसार नै लोकसभामा ३०० सिट कट्नु पर्ने हो । तर यस्तो भएन । र, हुँदैन पनि किनकि लोकतन्त्रमा जनता नै सर्वेसर्वा हुन् ।

विविध लोकप्रिय तथा वितरणमुखि योजनाले अघिल्लो पटक पनि चुनाव जितेका मोदीलाई यसपटक बहुमत दिलाउन नसकेका कारण नेपालका राजनीतिक दल विशेषत वामपन्थीरुझन राख्ने दलहरुले बुझ्नु पर्छ, लोकप्रियतावाद तथा वितरणमुखि कार्यक्रमले सधैं काम गर्दैन, नेपालजस्तो सानो अर्थतन्त्र त टाट पल्टिन्छ । बेलैमा सचेत भए राम्रो, अन्यथा राम राम ।

किनकि, नेपालमा अझै पनि सामाजिक सुरक्षा भत्ताको नाममा भोट पाइरहेका पार्टीलाइ हेक्का हुनुपर्छ, परिस्थिती परिवर्तन हुने रहेछ । सामाजिक सुरक्षा भत्ता कुनै दल विशेषको वा नेताको खल्तीबाट दिएको होइन । जनताको करबाट उठेको पैसा सामाजिक सुरक्षा भत्ताको नाममा बाँड्ने अनि एउटा पार्टीले त्यसको जस लिएर भोट किनिरहने राजनीति अब लामो समय चल्दैन, नेपालमा पनि ।

अन्यथा भारतीय प्रधानमन्त्रीले २२ करोड परिवारलाई दिएको राशन कार्ड र आयुष्मान कार्डमार्फत वितरणमुखि कार्यक्रमको फाइदा लोकसभा चुनावमा हुनु पर्ने हो नि । तर भएन ।

किनकि, भारतीय राजनीतिक विश्लेषकहरुका अनुसार, भारतीयहरसँग बिजुली, पानी त थियो तर रोजगारी थिएन । ’वितरणमुखि स्कीम राम्रा त थिए तर त्यसले भविष्यको ग्यारेन्टी दिएन, जुन ग्यारेन्टी रोजगारीले मात्र दिन सक्थ्यो ।’

नेपालमा पनि आजको दिनमा सबैभन्दा महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दा देशभित्र रोजगारी हो । नेपालका राजनीतिक दलका टालटुले नीतिले नेपाली युवालाई आफ्नै मुलुकमा सम्मानीत रोजगारी गर्न तथा गरिखाने वातावरण दिएको छैन । नपत्याए, गत साता अर्थमन्त्रीले पेश गरेको आगामी आर्थिक वर्षको बजेट हेरे हुन्छ ।

भएका उद्योग पनि बन्द गराउन कम्मर कसेर लागेका राजनीतिक दललाई ८४ को चुनावमा राम्रै पाठ पढाउने छन् नेपालीले । किनकि, नेपालमा उद्योग खोल्नु भनेको हिन्दी सिनेमामा राजनीतिक दलका नेतालाई हफ्ता बुझाए जस्तै हो । मरि-मरि काम गर्ने जनता अनि कमाउने राजनीतिक दलका नेताले मात्रै । लोकतन्त्रमा जनता दुब्लाउने अनि नेतामात्र मोटाउने, कसरी सम्भव छ ?

बैंकबाट दोहोरो अंकमा ब्याजमा ऋण लिएर उद्योग खोल्यो कुन चाँहि विचौलियाले भाग नपाएको झोंकमा करका दरमा खेलिदिन्छ, पत्तै हुन्न । कुन बेला कुन मन्त्रीको कताको नशाले के काम गर्छ थाहै हुन्न । जब उद्योग बन्द हुन्छ, रोजगारी कसरी सिर्जना हुन्छ । त्यसैले लोकतन्त्रको विकृत अभ्यास गरिरहेकाहरुलाई भारतको लोकसभाको चुनावले पक्कै झस्काएको हुनुपर्छ । सधैं विचौलियाले नै मन्त्री नियुक्त गर्दैन किनकि लोकतन्त्रमा जनताले चुनावमार्फत गलत गर्ने पार्टीलाई सजाय दिन्छन्, साइजमा ल्याइदिन्छन् । भारतको लोकसभाको चुनावको महत्वपूर्ण सन्देश त्यो पनि हो ।

किनकि, भारतमा पनि मोदीले केहि नै नगरेका भने होइनन् है । मोदीले भारतमा सन् २०१४ मा सत्तारोहण गर्दा भारतको अर्थतन्त्र २ हजार ३९ अर्ब अमेरिकी डलर थियो भने २०२४ को अन्तसम्ममा दोब्बरले बढेर ४ हजार १ सय १२ अर्ब अमेरिकी डलरभन्दा बढि पुग्ने अनुमान भारतीय सरकारी आंकडालाई लिएर फोर्ब्स इन्डियाले गरेको छ ।

आइएमएफका अनुसार अमेरिका, चीन, जर्मनी र जापानपछि विश्वको पाँचौ ठूलो अर्थतन्त्र भारत हो । वितेका १० वर्षमा मोदीले आफ्नो शासनकालमा भारतीय अर्थतन्त्रको विस्तार गरेर विश्वको पाँचौ अर्थतन्त्र बनाए तर समयअनुसार रोजगारी सिर्जना गर्न नसकेका कारण जनता खुसी भएनन् ।

सेन्टर फर मोनिटरिंग इन्डियन इकोनोमीको (सीएमआइई)को तथ्यांकअनुसार मोदी सरकारमा आउँदा सन् २०१४ मा भारतमा बेरोगारी दर ५.४४ प्रतिशत थियो भने सन् २०२४ को जनवरीमा ६.५७ प्रतिशत रहेको छ । मोदीको प्रधानमन्त्रीत्वको दोस्रो कार्यकालको पाँच वर्षमा औसत्मा ७ प्रतिशतको बेरोजगारी दर रहेको सीएमआइईको तथ्यांकले देखाउँछ ।

यसका साथै, सिमित लोकतन्त्रको अभ्यास, निषेधको राजनीति, संचारमाध्यममाथि वक्रदृष्टि अनि संबैधानिक संस्थाहरुमाथि आक्रमण, अल्पसंख्यकमाथि बहुमतको दम्भ र महत्वपूर्ण त आलोचकको मुख बन्द गर्ने प्रवृत्तीआदीका कारण पनि भारतीय जनताले स्पष्ट सन्देश दिए । लोकतन्त्र बलियो हुन एउटा बलियो सशक्त प्रतिपक्ष चाहिन्छ ।

चुनावमार्फत भारतमा जे सुकै र जस्तो परिवर्तन भए पनि नेपाल भारत सम्बन्धका आफ्नै आयाम भएका कारण भारतको नेपाल नीतिमा तत्काल कुनै चमत्कारिक परिवर्तन देखिँदैन ।

Government is removing VAT on air tickets

The government is working on removing the value added tax (VAT) on air tickets, according to the tourism minister.

Addressing the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter successfully concluded its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) here today, the chief guest Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang committed to working towards removing VAT on air tickets and other unnecessary taxes in tourism to encourage and enhance the highly potential and rewarding tourism sector.

Shared the government’s target of attracting 1.6 million tourists in 2024 and inviting the private sector to introduce new and creative tourism products in international source markets to boost tourist influx Tamang also expressed his happiness at the unanimous election of the new executive committee of PATA Nepal Chapter, noting that such unity is rare among institutions and organisations in the country nowadays.

PATA Nepal Chapter successfully concluded its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) today at Park Village Resort under the theme 'Nepal Tourism 2.0: Charting the Future Course.'

The AGM also unanimously elected the new executive committee, with Khem Raj Lakai, chief executive of the Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE), as chairman. He succeeds Bibhuti Chand Thakur, who was elected chairman on December 18, 2019, and remains in the executive committee as the Immediate Past chairman.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled by this opportunity," said Lakai after his appointment as chair of PATA Nepal Chapter. "It is with profound gratitude and a great sense of responsibility that I step into the role of chairman of PATA," he said, adding, "Being entrusted with the legacy of this esteemed institution is a privilege."

Lakai's association with PATA spans several years in different positions including as a board of trustee of the PATA Foundation, and PATA HQ elected Board member, including extensive service within the PATA Nepal Chapter.

PATA Nepal founding father the late Prabahakar SJB Rana, who brought this wonderful organisation to Nepal and continuously nurtured by amazing leaders of our industry has been honoured on the occasion.

Rana's vision of connecting Nepal to the world now rests on our shoulders, Lakai said, adding that unity is crucial for Nepal in all spectrum of professions. "Once united, we can transform the narrative of our beautiful nation and inspire the world."

Accordingly, the AGM also unanimously elected general secretary Narendra Dev Bhatta (managing director of Heritage Tours and Travel), treasurer Reetal Rana (managing director of Mid Valley International College), and executive members including Lakhpa Phuti Sherpa (founder of Luxury DMC Travel), Rupesh Joshi (director of Buddha Air), Binod Adhikari (director of Aarya village Travels), Sunil Bahadur Bhattrai (executive director of Busy Bee Cafe), Himmat Puri (director of Destinago Tours and Travel), Sarita Lama (managing director of Off The wall Trekking) and Tenzing Peyang  Lama (director of Hotel Lhasa International (Dusit Princess Kathmandu).

During the AGM, PATA Nepal Chapter also elected 4 proxy members to its executive committee including Smritee Kala Pant  (head of BHM/BHTM of Little Angels’ College of Management), Prakash Chandra Lohani (chairman of Alpine Rescue Service), Suman Ghimire (executive director of Jungle Safari lodge), and Imu Regmi (director of Basera Boutique Hotel). 

The executive committee also comprises of 4 Ex officio members including director general of Department of Tourism, director general of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, corporate director of Nepal Airlines, and representative of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

During the formal function and Annual Award Presentation Ceremony in the evening, PATA Nepal Chapter awarded Ambica Shrestha (president of Dwarika's Hotels and Resorts) and Shyam Bahadur Pandey (founder of Hotel Shangrila) with the prestigious 'PATA Lifetime Achievement Award 2024'.

The recognition honours their devoted years of exceptional voluntary service, leadership, significant contributions, and invaluable dedication to the association and the tourism and hospitality industry in Nepal, according to a press note issued by the PATA Nepal Chapter.

Likewise, Lakpa Sonam Sherpa (chairman of Yeti Group) has been rewarded with 'PATA Tourism Trailblazer Award 2024' for his exceptional leadership, pioneering initiatives, and outstanding contributions to promoting, expanding, and developing the tourism industry in Nepal.

Bharat Basnet (founder of Explore Nepal) has been bestowed with the 'PATA Personality of the Year 2024' Award for his unconditional support, persistent activism, advocacy, and commendable engagement towards the promotion and sustainable development of Nepal's tourism sector, as well as his invaluable contributions to the association over the years. 

Similarly, Narendra Deo Bhatta (founder of Heritage Tours and Travels) was honoured with the 'PATA Special Contribution Award 2024' for his unwavering commitment and remarkable contributions to Nepalese tourism, as well as his exceptional legal guidance and support to the association.

Likewise, The Premiere Hotel School, Itahari, received the 'PATA Best Student Chapter of the Year 2023' Award in recognition of their dedication and contributions in engaging with the initiatives and events of the PATA Nepal Chapter throughout 2023.

During the programme, Prof Dr Wolfgang Georg Arlt (founder of Meaningful Tourism Center) delivered the keynote speech on 'Nepal Tourism 2.0,' sharing the manifesto of outcomes from the Experts Roundtable Meet organised by the PATA Nepal Chapter yesterday (June 5).

On behalf of the Meaningful Tourism Center based in Germany, he presented the Meaningful Tourism Award (Gold) to the Community Homestay Network, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, and KGH Group of Hotels and Resorts.

Similarly, the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management received the Meaningful Tourism Award (Silver), while the Nepal Airlines Corporation and Hotel Himalaya received the Meaningful Tourism Award (Bronze).

The outgoing chairman Bibhuti Chand Thakur extended thanks to all the members and stakeholders of Nepal's tourism for the continued collaboration and support to the association; inviting and requesting all present to work together for sustainable growth and development of tourism in the country.

Government and World Bank launch $4.6 million project to strengthen response to gender-based violence

The Institutionalising Gender-Based Violence Response in Federal Nepal Project was jointly launched today by the minister of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Bhagbati Chaudhary and World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos.

The three-year project will help increase women’s and girls’ access to multisectoral gender-based violence (GBV) response services such as legal aid, psychosocial counseling, and medical support in six municipalities in Koshi and Lumbini provinces, a press note issued by the World Bank reads, adding that it aims to benefit 49,000 women and girls who have experienced violence through better access to quality services.

“Addressing gender-based violence is a priority for the government of Nepal," minister of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Bhagbati Chaudhary said, adding that the project will help establish a functioning coordination system to link GBV response mechanisms at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.

The project is financed by a $4.6 million grant from the State and Peacebuilding Trust Fund and will be implemented by the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens.

The project will help strengthen institutional frameworks and capacity, pilot innovative GBV service models with a focus on improving service coverage and quality, and promote behavior change among first responders and local stakeholders for improved GBV response.

“This project will help empower women and girls to readily access GBV services, report violence, and seek help, especially in the most remote and hard to reach areas," World Bank country director Faris Hadad-Zervos said, adding that it is key to supporting Nepal’s development that is green, resilient, and inclusive.

The government and the World Bank signed the financing agreements for the project on April 24, 2024.

Foreign trade contracts by 2.55 per cent

As the country is engaged into political tug of war, all is not good in economy.

According to the foreign trade data published by the Department of Customs today, imports fell by 2.39 per cent to Rs 1,303.35 billion over the first 10 months of current fiscal year, compared to Rs 1,335.32 billion in the same period last fiscal year.

Likewise, exports also dropped down by 3.61 per cent in the same period.

Despite government's tall claims, foreign trade has been sluggish since the beginning of the current fiscal year, and has still not been able to pick up its pace.

Nepal exported goods worth Rs 126.17 billion in the 10-month of the current fiscal year, compared to Rs 130.90 billion in the same period last fiscal year, the data reveals.

With the drop in imports and exports, total foreign trade also shrink by 2.55 per cent to Rs 1,429.53 billion in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2023-24, compared to Rs 1,466.22 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.

Likewise, the share of exports in total foreign trade shrank to 8.83 per cent, compared to 8.93 per cent in the first 10 months of 2022-23, it reveals, adding that the share of imports, however, increased to 91.17 per cent compared to 91.07 per cent in the first 10 months of the last fiscal year.

Though, Nepal has been trading with 168 countries, the country enjoys a trade surplus with only 34 countries. "Nepal enjoys the highest trade surplus of Rs 385.84 million with Denmark, followed by Afghanistan (Rs 262.01 million) and Norway (Rs 113.66 million)."

Nepal suffered the highest trade deficit of Rs 1,177.18 billion with India, that largest trading partner, followed by China (Rs 729.70 billion) and the UAE (Rs 238.55 billion).

Nepal imported goods worth Rs 1,303.35 billion from India while it exported goods worth Rs 126.17 billion to the southern neighbour.

Likewise, Nepal imported Rs 815.72 billion worth goods from China, whereas exported goods worth Rs 86.02 billion to the northern neighbour.

Petroleum products are, as always, Nepal's largest imports as the country imported diesel, petrol, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with a combined value of Rs 218.48 billion in the 10 months period of the current fiscal year. "Raw materials for steel industries and smartphones were the other biggest imports."

The report also reveals that readymade carpets are Nepal's largest export with export earnings of Rs 8.79 billion, followed by black cardamom (Rs 6.91 billion) and palm oil (Rs 5.62 billion).

Nepal marks 20 years in WTO: Experts highlight trade deficit and lack of competitive edge

Experts today said that Nepal has not been able to reap the expected benefits after becoming a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Registrar of Kathmandu University Prof Dr Achyut Wagle, on the occasion, highlighted the increasing trade deficit every year and Nepal's inability to compete in trade as the main problems. He emphasised that such issues should be discussed continuously and that every policy and rule should be based on research and data.

Likewise, former vice chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC) and economist Prof Dr Biswo Poudel, speaking at a discussion '20 Years of Nepal's Accession to WTO' organised jointly by Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) and the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) today, echoed the sentiments, stating that world trade has not yielded the desired benefits for Nepal.

"Despite adopting open market policies, these have not contributed positively to Nepal's trade," he said, adding that the agriculture and energy sectors have particularly suffered from huge trade deficits.

Poudel also noted the significant role of India and China in Nepal's international trade and suggested that bilateral trade should gradually evolve into regional trade. Stressing the need to prioritise the industrial sector, as the service sector's share is increasing while both agriculture and industry sectors' contributions are decreasing, he said, that currently, agriculture and petroleum products account for 40 per cent of Nepal's total trade deficit.

Member Secretary of the NPC Dr Toya Narayan Gyawali, on the occasion, acknowledged some benefits from WTO membership but pointed out Nepal's failure to produce competitive goods, resulting in a high trade deficit.

He recounted Nepal's 34-year journey to WTO membership, which was achieved in 2004 as the 147th country. Despite being a least developed country, Nepal has struggled to leverage some benefits of WTO membership.

Gyawali mentioned that while trade policies were previously unpredictable and non-transparent, there has been progress with technical support and expanded market access. He also referred to a report prepared by the commission on the impact of Nepal's upgradation from a least developed country (LDC) and strategies for smooth transition.

Purbanchal University vice-chancellor Prof Dr Biju Kumar Thapaliya emphasised the importance of the supply chain in foreign trade. Highlighting Nepal's significant role in reaching the international market through auction market management and identifying buyers, Thapaliya noted that auction market management is a common issue for landlocked countries. He also suggested that Nepal needs to address it through geo-political discussions.

Executive Director of South Asia Watch on Trade and Environment (SAWTEE) Dr Paras Kharel, discussed the work done for trade facilitation since Nepal became a WTO member. He noted that both imports and exports have been encouraged due to trade liberalisation.

However, Nepal could not impose import duties due to various agreements, including bilateral treaties that exempted 50 per cent customs duty on rice. Kharel stressed that Nepal's exports cannot be competitive unless the domestic market improves, attributing the problem to a lack of production capacity.

Agriculture expert Dr Yamuna Ghale, on the occasion, stated that government agencies have not sufficiently discussed the pros and cons of WTO membership in international forums. Pointing out that poor institutional memory capacity has hampered negotiations and that Nepal's food security is weakening due to lack of production capacity, Ghale warned of potential crises if Nepal's food production remains under external control and highlighted the need for competitive export industries.

Immediate Past President (IPP) of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Vishnu Kumar Agrawal also noted that Nepal now has easier access to a large global market. However, he criticised the government for not fulfilling promises on export promotion and facilitation. 

According to Agrawal, production and productivity have been adversely affected as export promotion programs are frequently included in the budget but fail to deliver results.

Under Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Liladhar Adhikari, stated that Nepal has failed to effectively promote Nepali products. He emphasised that being a WTO member implies consistent customs levels and suggested that priority should be given to domestic industry to expand trade by ensuring no higher tariffs are levied.

Adhikari concluded that Nepali products need to become competitive in the domestic market to succeed globally.

Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) organises such discussions as part of its media and outreach programs under the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP). 

Prof Dr Bijay KC, Dean of KUSOM, extended his heartfelt thanks to the organising committee, panel members, and participants, pledging to continue these discussions in the future.

Fiscal federalism progressing at a moderate pace, further reforms needed to strengthen outcomes

Nepal’s legal and institutional reforms under fiscal federalism and public financial management at the provincial and local levels have continued but at a moderate pace, says the World Bank’s Nepal Fiscal Federalism Update 2024.

A reduction of available financial resources in fiscal year 2023 for provincial and local governments, mainly due to a decrease in federal revenue, led to the first fiscal deficit at the subnational level since the outset of fiscal federalism in 2017, it says, adding that to enhance the outcomes of fiscal federalism and public financial management including improved revenue generation for all three tiers of government, the Fiscal Federalism Coordination Division at the Finance Ministry was designated to coordinate public financial management reform efforts and the preparation and implementation of a Fiscal Federalism Roadmap.

The report provides a comprehensive review of the progress of fiscal federalism in Nepal. The recommendations are well aligned with our national-level vision on smoothing the fiscal transfers to help subnational governments carry out their responsibilities effectively. "The report also informs and supports our ongoing efforts to clarify responsibilities among the three tiers of government and advance fiscal federalism,” said Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal.

Building on the first edition of the Nepal Fiscal Federalism Update, the 2024 edition explores in-depth the key pillars of fiscal federalism in Nepal: Revenue Assignment and Administration; Expenditure Assignment and Administration; Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers; Borrowing and Capital Finance; and Fiscal Revenue from Natural Resources.

It recommends specific measures to upgrade the Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfer system and establish a consolidated public financial management performance database that includes data from the subnational levels to enhance evidence-based decision making and transparency.

“The report highlights the need to upgrade institutional arrangements for the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers system to make the transfers more needs-based and timely, and to increase the fiscal autonomy of provincial and local governments, in order to improve fiscal federalism outcomes,” said  chairman of the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission Balananda Paudel, on the occasion.

The report also recommends strengthening provincial and local-level institutional arrangements for fiscal federalism and public financial management operations, including actions to improve budget credibility to improve delivery of services by subnational governments.

“Fiscal Federalism is a foundation for sustained service delivery by provincial and local governments," World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos said, adding that they need adequate financial resources and the ability to make spending decisions at the subnational level, in the spirit of federalism and the Constitution. "The World Bank is committed to supporting the Government of Nepal, in close collaboration with other development partners, to further solidify fiscal federalism in Nepal."