Now promoting digital entrepreneurship

They have been providing programming, coding, designing, software development and testing services to America, Japan, United Arab Emirates, South Korea and other countries within Nepal. Nepalis earned about 67 billion 62 million rupees in 2022 alone by selling information technology services while other sectors of export are shrinking. If the government promotes digital entrepreneurship, it is seen that it can become a strong pillar for the country's economy.

With the end of load shedding, increase in internet connectivity, education about information technology in schools and colleges, the information technology of Nepal is becoming stronger. Until a few years ago, even normal software had to be bought from abroad, but now Nepalis are making even complex software. On the one hand, it is meeting the needs of the country, on the other hand, it is earning money from foreign exports. The use of applications and web-based software made in Nepal by organizations and offices of all sizes, small and large, shows the progress being made in the field of information technology. In the field of information technology, mainly financial technology (Fintech), cyber security, content creation, e-commerce, gaming and other businesses, Nepalese manpower has been successful.

Internet-based digital transactions, online business, telemedicine services are expanding. Increasing demand and opportunities in blockchain, remote working, digital content creation, artificial intelligence (AI) fields along with income and job growth are making the information technology sector more attractive. Even within the country, there is a possibility of digital transformation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, hydropower, health etc. The World Economic Forum's projection that nearly 70 percent of enterprises will be connected to information technology systems in the next ten years indicates the immense potential of this sector. There is a need to promote information technology to increase productivity by making services simple, convenient and transparent within the country.

As much as the achievements are being achieved in the field of information technology in Nepal, it is being done with the strength of the private sector. If the government also supports, this sector can take a leap. Lately, the government has started making a commitment to make necessary policy arrangements and other reform initiatives by giving special priority to information technology, but there is no care in the implementation. To promote innovation enterprise (startup)

Even the seed giving program has not been made effective. Addressing the demands of information technology entrepreneurs working with foreign clients, the government has made arrangements to open company offices abroad in the budget of the current financial year, but no further legal arrangements have been made in this regard. Confusion has also been seen in the product export tax. Complaints are also coming from entrepreneurs that government regulatory bodies have become control-oriented.

The information technology sector is becoming the main source of economy not only for distant countries like America, but also for neighboring China and India. While remittances are seen as a strong pillar in Nepal's economy now, another possibility is information technology. If the country takes a leap in information technology, the trend of wandering abroad for employment can decrease. It helps in reducing the untimely trade loss. Due to the lack of easy access to other waterways, it is difficult for us to be competitive in the international market by producing other materials as the cost of production and transportation is high. But in information technology, we don't have to feel the inconvenience of being geographically enclosed.

Information technology services and product sales are evidence that Nepali youth are capable of competing in the global market. The government should not delay making policies to encourage them. The current tax confusion should also be put to an end. Investment promotion should be supported. Government agencies should not control in the name of regulation, but facilitate.