22 December 2020, Kathmandu
The representatives of the government and the private sector have said that high use of information technology is essential for the economic prosperity of the country. The performing ministers, information technology experts, and representatives of the private sector, who took part in the first ‘Industry-Government Dialogue’ program organized by the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), are of the view that prosperity with good governance is achieved through the highest practice of information technology.
The Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel said that the government has implemented the concept of ‘Digital Nepal Framework’ for the development and digitization of industry and business sector. He asked the leadership of CAN, Nawaraj Kunwarji to come up with systematic suggestions. We are ready to discuss with the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Finance, he added.
He stated that Nepal has been able to move ahead with the world in the field of information technology. This was possible by enabling CAN to prepare an immediate and meaningful meeting between the concerned bodies. The meeting is conducted to discuss the development and expansion of the IT sector. “Let’s move forward with the determination to compete with the rest of the world,” he said.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Parbat Gurung was also present on this occasion. He said that efficient manpower should be produced for the development and expansion of the information technology sector. Also, the capacity of the produced manpower should be increased, he added.
“Just as mobile has become a culture, so should be the development of ICT culture, which requires digital literacy,” he said. The government has moved forward with a policy for reuse. Minister Gurung also urged the CAN Federation to organize an investment summit in the ICT sector.
“Digital Nepal is one of the 18 transformational plans,” the Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission Pvt., Dr. Pushparaj Kandel said.
He urged the manpower to move forward with confidence as blockade, earthquake, and Covid-19 could not stop the IT product.
Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Maha Prasad Adhikari, said that it is necessary to move ahead by assimilating the assistance provided by IT from the earthquake of 2072 BS to the Covid-19 of 2077 BS. He also urged the private sector to come up with suggestions for the development of information technology.
He informed that the NRB is going to launch a campaign for QR after it was found that an unimaginable number of e-payments were made during Covid-19. “NRB is launching a QR code campaign soon with the objective of reducing the use of banknotes from the vegetable market to every shop,” he said.
The QR code campaign will reduce the use of banknotes on the surface. It will also maintain good financial governance and business transparency, the governor said. Addressing the personalities/experts working in the field of IT, he said, “We are moving forward in a policy manner. It is up to you how to work within that framework.”
Governor Adhikari said that rules should not be sought for innovation. He urged the people involved in IT to move forward with new work with confidence. “First the rules and then the innovation,” he said.
Shekhar Golchha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry was also present on the occasion. He said that the problem of the digital divide has appeared in a monstrous manner. “In terms of reading, only 10 percent of schools and 10 percent of students participated in online classes,” he said.
The concept of IT park and e-commerce should be promoted in a systematic manner, he added. He urged the government to motivate the youth as there is more participation in technology-based industries. Chairman Golchha said that many businesses could not move forward as banks did not provide project loans.
Chairman of the Telecommunication Authority of Nepal, Purushottam Khanal, said that all parties should be ready for business transformation. The Founder President of the Federation of CAN, Bimal Kumar Sharma, expressed the view that ‘CAN’ would be result-oriented in every field of information and communication technology.
CAN Federation President Nawaraj Kunwar argued that Work from Home and Education from Home, which was practiced during the lockdown, showed the importance of IT. “The current precarious situation has made it clear that most financial transactions and businesses can be done online,” he said.
He demanded that the government should immediately start work for reviewing information and communication technology policy, transfer of technology to the private sector, purchase of Nepali software in indigenous industries, and reduction of internet charges. Chairman Kunwar said that the cooperation between CAN and the government would help in the economic development of Nepal.
Vinay Bohora, Member of CAN Federation and former President of Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN) spoke about the Internet in Nepal. CAN Federation member and entrepreneur Suresh Lohani and, Former President of CAN Federation Biplavaman Singh gave a presentation on Digital Signature in the context of Digital Nepal.
The current state of information technology in Nepal, access, investment and investment potential, state of manpower production, capacity development of Nepali students, etc. were covered in the presentation.
Narayan Thapa, General Secretary of CAN Federation said that the program was organized to bridge the gap between the parties concerned in the issues related to ICT.