NEPAL-MONGOLIA TIES
Views similar: HM, Opportunities promising: Bagabandi

Kathmandu, Jan. 5 (RSS): His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has said that Lord Buddha’s message of peace and non violence through the ages, has remained a spiritual link between Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha, and Mongolia which has a predominantly Buddhist population.

His Majesty said this at a state banquet hosted in honour of visiting president of Mongolia Natsagiin Bagabandi and Madame A. Oyunbileg at Narayanhity Royal Palace this evening.

His Majesty the King said these ties have been further strengthened after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1961, adding that the state visit to Mongolia the same year by His late Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah remains a significant milestone in our relations.

His Majesty expressed confidence that the present visit by president Bagabandi will add a new dimension to this relationship.

Observing that as land locked nations, our geo-political requirements and realities are also similar, His Majesty said both our countries are committed to democratic norms and human rights and our policies are based on our desire for peace and equality along with the respect for each other’s aspirations and national interest.

Both Nepal and Mongolia are guided by the principles enshrined in the charter of the United Nations organisation and share similar views on many international issues, His Majesty noted.

With the end of the cold war, developing nations had hoped to receive a fair share of the dividends of prosperity. However, the international environment is not yet favourable for them even today, His Majesty said adding that moreover globalisation has caused greater hardship for countries like ours, which have a paucity of resources.

Making use of the positive aspects of the prevailing world order in the interest of our nations, we should direct our efforts towards the creation of a prosperous and self reliant society, His Majesty said adding, taking this into consideration, my government has accorded priority to combating poverty in our national development endeavours.

Appreciating the President’s personal interest and that of the government of Mongolia in the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, His Majesty said there is potential for mutual cooperation between Nepal and Mongolia and our two countries, similar in stages of development, can learn a lot from each other’s experiences.

Areas can be identified to further consolidate the ties of friendship and mutual cooperation between our two countries in the coming years, His Majesty also said.

In his reply speech at the state banquet, president of Mongolia Natsagiin Bagabandi said the friendly relations and close spiritual, cultural and historical ties between the peoples of Mongolia and Nepal have a centuries-old tradition, adding that the peoples of the two countries have eternally been tied with bonds of destinies and the precious teachings of Lord Buddha.

Referring to the Mongolia saying "made of talented skills of a Palpa gold-smith", he said this widely-spoken proverb also indicates the ancient ties existing between our two countries. These ties based on centuries-old religious, cultural and household bonds had successfully grown in the second half of the 20th century, and it was symbolic that the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries coincided with this visit.

Referring to scope for further development of the relationship and cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and other fields including in the international arena, he expressed support in regard to the proposal advanced by the Nepalese side to set up a joint inter-governmental committee headed by foreign ministers.

There are promising opportunities for promoting trade and economic relations between our two countries, he said and suggested undertaking an active study for opportunities on either side.

Referring also to possibilities on both sides to interact in the fields of tourism, health and humanitarian activities, he spoke of interest in learning from the Nepalese experience in UN peace keeping services and of the possibility for the two sides to exchange experiences in folk or traditional medicine. He expressed gratefulness for support and assistance in the project to build a Mongolian Buddhist temple at Lumbini .

Pointing out the many geographical similiarities between both Mongolia and Nepal which are land-locked and have immediate borders with only two neighbours, he said it is possibile and even essential to have an exchange of experiences on these and other issues and actively interact in the international arena for seeking ways to overcome problems caused by land-lockedness.

Since Mongolia and Nepal are both non-aligned, developing countries it is important for us to exchange views and mutually support each other within the UN, NAM and the group of 77, the president said and hoped his proposals for further promoting relations and cooperation both on bilateral and multilateral basis will meet with full approval.

Her Majesty the Queen also attended the state banquet.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and other members of the royal family were also present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, the speaker, the National Asembly Chairman, the Raj Parishad Standing Committee Chairman, and heads of constitutional bodies were also present at the state banquet.

Also present on the occasion were the Deputy Prime Minister, the Leader of the Main Opposition Party, ministers, high ranking officials of the Royal Palace Service and HMG and members of the entourage of the Mongolian president.

The national anthems of both the countries were played during the state banquet.

Governor to inform on mgmt transfer of banks

Kathmandu, Jan. 5 (RSS): The House of Representatives Finance Committee at its meeting today decided to invite the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank to its next meeting to be held on January 8 to inform the committee about work carried out in connection with giving out the management of the Rastriya Banijya Bank and Nepal Bank Ltd on contract.

The committee also decided to invite the water resources secretary and the executive director of Nepal Electricity Authority to its meeting to be held on January 9 in order hold discussions concerning enforcement of an earlier decision of the committee on the conditions and provisions of the agreement on electricity purchase worked out with the Khimti, Bhotekoshi, Indrawati and Upper Modi hydel projects.

Terming the report on expenditures received from the Kali Gandaki project as insufficient, the committee decided to demand an extensive report in this regard.

At the meeting chaired by committee chairman Smriti Narayan Chaudhary, the committee also decided to study at its next meeting the report presented by the Public Expenditure Review Commission and policy concerning budget appropriations.

Likewise, the House of Representatives Development Committee, at a meeting chaired by its chairman Tanka Prasad Rai, held extensive discussions on the future programmes of the committee.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development Ram Chandra Poudel, Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta and MPs Krishna Prasad Dahal, Daan Bahadur Chaudhary, Raghuji Pant, Ram Kumar Chaudhary, Ram Chandra Tiwari, Mrs Sushila Nepal, Miss Sushila Swanr, Hari Lal Joshi and Gyanu K.C. Were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, at the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee today, managers of Nepal Bank Ltd. said Nepal Rastra Bank is proceeding to give out the management of the bank on contract without consulting them and they are opposed to this.

The executive chairman of the Rastriya Banijya Bank however said that he is not against efforts being made at improving the bank’s management.

The chairmen of the boards of directors of Nepal Bank Ltd. and Rastriya Banijya Bank were invited to the meeting today to inform the committee about the process of contracting out the management of the two banks.

Also at today’s meeting, the local development secretary informed the committee that the shopping complex constructed behind the city hall auditorium would not have any adverse affect on the functioning of the auditorium and the ministry is thinking of strengthening the security measures there.

Committee chairman Subash Nemwang presided.

Deuba team shifts focus to NC convention

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Jan. 5: Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has refused to accept the voting results of the no-confidence motion of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party Committee (NCPPC).

The no-trust motion against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had failed Thursday after 69 of the 112 MPs present at the NCPPC meeting stood by Koirala in an open voting. However, 41 MPs, all Deuba supporters, had boycotted the voting.

The motion had been registered by 56 Congress MPs last Thursday saying that Koirala had failed to fulfill the promises he made while taking over power 10 months back.

After the motion failed, Deuba and the 40 dissident MPs organised a press conference today at Deuba’s contact office at Baneshwor. They said that they would continue their struggle against, what they called, anti-democratic practices existing within the party.

Talking about future strategies, Deuba, who has been leading the dissident group, said their immediate focus would be on the party’s General Convention to be held in Pokhara in a month’s time. He also stressed that the party will not split. But he did not deny the possibility of them registering a no-confidence motion against the government in the parliament at an appropriate time.

Refusing the voting results, Deuba said that they had not formally tabled the no-confidence motion at the meeting. "We had only discussed on the modality of the voting. When Prime Minister Koirala did not agree to our demand of secret balloting we boycotted the meeting."

He accused Koirala of infringing on the freedom of the MPs by enticing them to vote against the motion.

Ghimire named member of NPI Advisory Council

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Jan. 5: Purunder Ghimire, Chairman of the Gorkhapatra Corporation, has been nominated member of the 12-member Advisory Council of the Nepal Press Institute. The newly formed Advisory Council of the Institute also has President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Chairman of the Printers’ Association, lawyer Kashiraj Dahal, media expert Laldhoj Deusa Rai and Banshidhar Poudel as representative of the Advertiser Entrepreneurs’ Association.

The Council was formed under the Institute’s revised statute of 2057.

The Chairman, Vice Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurer of the Press Institute are the ex-officio members of the Council. The statute also has provision for an Information Technology expert and a management expert as members of the Council.

Meanwhile, the Institute’s new Executive Committee has nominated Chief Editor of Nepal Samacharpatra Pushkarlal Shrestha and former acting Executive Director of Radio Nepal Dhruba Kumar Deuja to the two vacant posts of the Committee.

IOE rated 3rd best in Asia

BY B.M.DAHAL

Kathmandu, Jan. 5: The Institute of Engineering (IOE) under Tribhuvan University (TU) has been adjudged the third best in a list 10 best Asian institutes by the Bangkok-based Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), after judging the performance of the Masters Level students in 2000.

In 1999 and 1998, the IOE had been listed as the fourth and sixth best in Asia.

"Our students are showing excellent performance both nationally and internationally. We are doing very well, especially in the Bachelors Level," Prof. Dr. J.R. Pokhrel, Dean of the IOE, told The Rising Nepal.

According to Dr. Pokhrel, a large number of students scoring the highest marks at the AIT were products of IOE.

"This has enhanceed our credibility both nationally and internationally."

Because IOE graduates are showing such excellent results, universities in other countries are showing interest in being affiliated with the IOE. So a team of experts from the IOE is going abroad to review the physical facility, faculty and funding of the concerned institutes.

Because of its credibility, students’ pressure is increasing at the IOE.

"Many students who are studying abroad want to join the IOE. But it is very difficult to adjust them," said Dr. Pokhrel.

The IOE claims its graduates are more qualified and efficient in their respective fields than their foreign counterparts. "There is also a greater demand for IOE graduates than those from other countries," adds Dr. Pokhrel.

The IOE products work both inside and outside the country. "Most of them have been absorbed within the country.

Until now, IOE has produced 985 civil engineers, 64 electrical engineers, 61 electronic engineers, 46 mechanical engineers and 21 in architects.

In the initial year, 24 civil engineers were produced. Today 140 students are admitted every year.

The total enrolment capacity of IOE is 480 and 840 in the Bachelors and Diploma Levels respectively.

A 20-year strategic plan has been formulated to develop IOE as a centre of excellence to produce more capable and efficient manpower.

Pokhrel credits IOE’s former Dean Prof. Dr. Uttam Narayan Shrestha for making the entrance examinations a real test. Dr. Shrestha was able to set up the norm despite the then political interference.

The institute tries to help students needy, but talented students. To accommodate more of such students, the IOE is soon negotiating with the World Bank for a Learning Innovation Loan (LIL).

Established in 1972, the IOE, which produces both technicians and engineers as per the national need, has been running Diploma, Bachelors, Masters and Post graduate level courses.

Pokhrel conceded that the three-year Diploma Level course has not been running very smoothly.

Reasons behind this include lack of commitment on the part of the students and teachers of non-engineering subjects. Due to the students’ involvement in politics and negligence on the part of the teachers of non-engineering subjects, many students fail the first year.

However, TU’s newly introduced rule is expected to compel teachers to be present in the classes regularly. As per the new rule, which has already been implemented, a regular teacher must not work with other institutes during the stipulated hours.

To meet the increasing demand for manpower, the IOE is also starting Masters’ Level classes in Renewable Energy, Geo-Technical Engineering and Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the coming academic year.

Currently, IOE has four constituent campuses across the country: Pulchowk Campus, Thapathali Campus, Eastern Engineering College, Dharan, and Western Engineering College, Pokhara. There are 5,000 students, 500 teachers and 500 employees in IOE.

Five campuses are affiliated to the IOE.

Mongolian, Nepali teams discuss business

Kathmandu,Jan. 5 (RSS): A discussion on the possibilities of investment in potential areas of industry and commerce was held here today between representatives of the Mongolian business delegation and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).

The Mongolian delegation is part of the entourage of Mongolian President Natsagiin Bagabandi.

On the occasion, Mongolian Minister for Industry and Commerce Ch. Ganzorig urged industrialists and businessmen of both the countries to make extensive study and analysis for investment in possible sectors.

Deputy Minister for Infrastructure U. Ulambayar said Mongolia is formulating a strategy to enhance industry and trade.

FNCCI president Pradeep Kumar Shrestha said a scrutiny of developmental objectives, resources base and existing economic structure of the two countries reveals that there is huge potential for the economic links to grow and reach sizeable proportions.

Mr Shrestha on the occasion also shed light on the potential areas of economic collaboration between business entrepreneurs of the two countries.