Internet users rise by 8000 annually

Vijay Babu Khatri

KATHMANDU, Nov 9 - The annual growth of Internet users in Nepal posts over eight thousand, a study says.

The statistical data on the number of Internet Users in Nepal compiled by Nepal Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) show that as of fiscal year 2000/2001 end, 24,957 organisations and individuals used Internet services.

A study commissioned by NTC said more than 2000 individuals in Nepal opened their Internet account during the first four months of the year 2001 while on-the-spot survey and web-site inquiry conducted by International Telecommunication Union (ITU) from January 17-21, last year says that at least 8,852 individuals acquired the internet services during the first four months the fiscal year 2000/2001.

Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) had last year put the estimate at around 18000 for all those acquiring the membership from various Internet Service Providers (ISP). CAN estimates say that the Internet service contracted for by each family or an organisation is being used by at least five additional users. From the 100,000 internet users last fiscal year, there are now 200,000 users, CAN estimates said.

IT experts say the number of Internet Users in Nepal has doubled primarily because the number of Internet cafes have quadrupled and the fee for browsing the Internet has considerably dipped.

The once-expensive and limited Cyber Cafes found in some parts of the capital’s Thamel and Durbarmarg areas are now mushrooming around almost every where.

Similarly, the monthly fee paid for the use of Internet some three years back amounting to Rs 3000 has declined to less than Rs 1000. This has also fuelled the sprawling growth of Internet Cafes in Nepal.

Kailash Neupane, Spokesperson at the NTC, said the rise in the Internet users has skyrocketed due to a rise in Internet Service Providers (ISP) following steep competition between them. There are now 15 ISPs in Nepal.

Similarly, a rise in the VSAT network and its users has fuelled the use of internet on an ever increasing scale.

The increasing demand for internet services has also been triggered off by the demand for on-line phone services provided by computers which is cheaper than telephone services.

The attractions offered by hordes of international on-line newspapers and ready-to-use study materials posted on the web-sites have also fuelled the trend.

Students hungering to study abroad obtaining information from the Internet have also raised the number of users. For those who cannot afford to study abroad, the on-line study courses and examinations offered by the myriad institutions on the downloadable and accessible web-site have also led to an astronomical height of the growth of internet services.

Hunched before a computer monitor in Kathmandu, one can appear the examinations in New York. Further more, the government has imposed no legislative ban on the on-line chat that has a found large customers in Nepal.

The ITU survey report said the multinational organisations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Bank each consumes 20 percent internet services in Nepal, while domestic, governmental, non-governmental organisation, educational institutions and business organisations consume 20 percent, 5 percent, 15 percent, 30 percent and 10 percent respectively.

Dipesh Acharya, Chief of a branch office of NTC, said that some Internet companies have been able to draw a large customers offering attractive market policies while some companies have not been able to put the buttering up they deserve at attracting even a trivial number of customers.

Statistics compiled by the Internet Division of the NTC show that the World Link Communication has the largest membership of around 7500 internet users, while Info-Com Private Limited has garnered around 5000 and Mercantile around 4000. NTC has around 2000, Everest Net 1152 and Computer Land Communication System has 1500 customers in all.

Two years ago, the World Link Communications had just 4350 Internet users, mercantile had 1347 and Computer Land 887. The users have increased phenomenally over the last two years, the study said.

Nepal, Korea could become important business partners

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 9 – Nepal and Korea has a large scale scope for establishing joint ventures in various sectors, an official from Korean diplomatic mission said Friday.

There is a possibility of expanding joint venture business enterprises between the two countries for which both the governments have shown considerable readiness, said an official at the Embassy of the Korean Republic.

The recent understanding on air transport service between Nepal and the Republic of Korea at the foreign secretary level is an indication that both the countries have tremendous scope towards business expansion – including joint ventures in electronics and export-import items.

However, sources at the Korean Embassy here told though Nepal and Korea reached an agreement on travel destination, the final agreement on air service is still due.

Nepali and Korean businessmen are optimistic over the recent understanding between the heads of the government of the two countries for the proposed opening of the air-route.

Even the tourists arrival data compiled by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) shows an upward trend in the inflow of Korean tourists to Nepal during fiscal year 1999 – 2000. From 5638 Koreans arriving in Nepal in 1999, the number has increased to over 7000 in 2000.

In addition, with the government preparing to celebrate a 30-million rupee promotion campaign under the banner of Destination Nepal beginning next year, the proposed opening of the air route is seen in a positive vein.

Moon Young Kim, Director of Korea Trade Center, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, New Delhi, India who was here in the capital at a Korean Catalogue Show programme said that the Republic of Korea is keen on establishing a long-term business partnership with Nepal.

Korean Trade–Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), an undertaking of the government of Korea has been organizing the show to promote the Korean products around the world’s major markets.

There are already ten Korean companies in Nepal jointly working with Nepali companies in various areas such as hotel, construction, paints, electronics and mineral water.

Nepal imports television, computer parts, readymade garments, telecom equipment, spare-parts, polythene, copper wires, fertilizer, machinery, sports goods, housing materials and electronics, among others.

Nepal imported an estimated 2. 79 billion rupees worth of Korean manufactured goods during the fiscal year 1999-2000, while the export from Nepal accounted for Rs 614.10 million during the same period.

Ramesh Kumar Khetan, Managing Director of Khetan Trading House who is also the General Secretary of Nepal–Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that inviting Korean businessmen in Nepal for a joint business undertaking would bring in further development and economic cooperation between the two countries.