Bicc no more white elephant

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Feb.5: The biggest of all convention centres of the country has the potential of becoming a major center for the convention tourism, given the country’s tourism opportunities.

The Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC) is "doing fine" in its 8th year to wards attaining self-reliance through earnings that have come by hosting national, regional and international conferences.

Called as the government’s white elephant in the initial phase of its existence, the centre which has 113 staff and is run by an autonomous body, BICC Development committee, made a significant jump in term of its income from seven years ago to the last fiscal year. During 1993-94 it earned about 1.09 million rupees by hosting 8 functions which rose to 10.17 million rupees to the last fiscal year organising 118 programmes.

"Once thought to be a white elephant, the BICC has now provided a silver lining for the country’s tourism sector though we came to know its potential of becoming a major attraction for convention tourism very late," Minister for Foreign affair Chakra Prasad Bastola told a congregation attending BICC’s 8th anniversary today at the centre’s Nuptse hall after inaugurating the anniversary function, yesturday.

Minister Bastola, however, said that the marketing department of the centre "has yet to do a complete homework to launch marketing and publicity in international community.’’

"The centre could give a competitive edge to Kathmandu in convention tourism if it can launch aggressive marketing, which it has so far failed to do."

Built under the Chinese grant cooperation, the centre—with its 8 state-of-the-art big and small convention halls, five special and very special halls, bar and bank souvenir shops changing rooms, green rooms, media rooms and office rooms facilities—has been hosting many international conferences on behalf of the government.

Furthermore, the white marble structure that has sprawled over 16630.60 square metre, has been facilitated with public addressing sytem, receiving system, simultaneous interpretation system for six languages, air conditioning system, 81 flag posts and sanitation and parking facility for 400 vehicles.

According to the BICC Executive Director Ranjan Sing Shah, the centre would be promoted and developed as the infrastructure for convention and exhibition (MICE) tourism in the country.

Shah rejected the rumour that the BICC would be given to other institution in lease to private sector meet its maintenance costs as it was regarded white elephant by some." No we are not thinking about giving the centre in lease to the private sector"

However, shah said, the development committee can allow others to handle its management aspect only in future.

But the centre, Minister Bastola said, can play a vital role in increasing convention tourism by providing convention opportunities. "The BICC can be a special attraction for the tourism opportunities of the country which has uniqueness of its natural, cultural and adventure tourism potentials,"

Bacause of Indian capital New Delhi’s high price rate and high occupancy rate of five star hotels, BICC can provide an opportunity for organizing conferences which can bring it the much needed profits, he added.

The modern convention centre is gaining self-reliance financally by hosting many national and international conferences, said BICC chairman and the Secretary of Ministry of Physical Planning and Works Hiranyalal Regmi.

"If the centre, if provided with opportunity to host more conferences, it will gain more financial independence and will also add to the economic prosperity of the country by hosting big international conferences" Regmi added.

BICC development committee executive member and Joint Secreatary Usha Nepal said that despite proving its mettle in hosting international conferences, the centre needs government attention in meeting the ever growing demands of modern time.

To increase its facilities, the BICC development committee has already asked for tender for constructing dining facility, bank, shopping arcade, and infirmary.

The BICC development committee expects that the government should assist it constructing an international standard exhibition hall and a banquet hall inside the numero uno centre, said the BICC executive Director.

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