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‘Anti-corruption’ moves to resolve violence
KATHMANDU, DEC 20 - Diplomats and experts speaking during an interaction programme today stressed upon the need to ensure good governance and curb corruption to resolve ongoing violence in the country.
Ambassadors, representatives from donor agencies, high-level bureaucrats, tourism entrepreneurs and journalists, among others expressed such view while participating in a program on Current Economic Challenges and Need for a Cohesive Economic Community.
Speaking at the interaction programme, British Ambassador to Nepal Keith George Bloomfield stated that the massive corruption in the country resulted in the growth of Maoists insurgency.
“Other than the massive corruption, lack of good governance and ignorance to the women and indigenous groups are equally responsible to develop the present condition,” he said.
As poverty and unemployment are two major problems in Nepal, the private sectors should work responsibly to improve the economic status of the country. “The government, in the mean time should reduce administrative hurdles,” he added.
Michael E Malinowsky, US ambassador to Nepal pointed out that the Maoists insurgency has hit the Nepali economy hard.” Foreign investment has declined by 47 percent for the first quarter of Nepal’s fiscal year and it is likely to continue downward trend,” he said.
Under this situation, the uneven trends of the economy will continue unless Nepal efficiently deals with Maoists insurgency, increase transparency, and reduce regulatory barriers and bureaucratic red tapism, he said.
“Although there are some encouraging signs, the rise in Maoists violence, continuous strikes, and increased extortion and intimidation are driving down the profit margin of many companies,” he said.
Businesspersons donate to the Maoists, but do not likes to acknowledge, he added. “By conceding to terrorist demands, however, you can contribute to the environment of fear and violence that they have created. You as a group can join together, you have one, more powerful voice,” he said.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran said that India has wished for peace and stability in Nepal. “We are ready to support Nepal for economic development and political stability,” he added.
The SAARC regional trade would help in Nepal’s development, Saran said adding that Nepal should benefit from water resources and tourism potential. “India will need 50,000 MW of electricity in the next 10 years and Nepal has potentiality to distribute that demand.”
Kenichi Ohashi, Country Director of the World Bank pointed out the need to ensure better customs valuation and more transparency to encourage the foreign investment.
We are facing huge challenge in implementing pro-poor programmes, as the rate of investment on the sector is declining and the confidence among investors is eroding due to increased Maoist problems, Yubaraj Khatiwada, member of National Planning Commission and Bimal Koirala, the Chief Secretary opined.
Binod K Chaudhary, President of Confederation of Nepalese Industries, said that all concerned should work jointly so that those responsible for good governance can implement the same more easily.
Tilak Rawal, Governor Nepal Rastra Bank, Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, Immediate past president FNCCI, Narendra Bhattarai, President Nepal Banker’s Association, Narendra Bajracharya, President Hotel Association of Nepal, Dr Bishwambhor Pyakuryal, President Nepal Economic Association, Bijaya Ghimire, President SEJON, Hari Bahadur Basnet, Ministry of Industry Commerce and Supplies were also present in the occasion. Posted on: 2003-12-21 02:23
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