SASEC Initiative

THE forum that SAARC has provided must be appreciated in the sense that it has opened up numerous avenues for the benefit of the South Asian nations. Though it has been over fifteen years that SAARC came into being, the pace had not been as expected despite the many initiatives taken. But, it must be remembered that the 11th SAARC Summit held in Kathmandu in the first week of January this fear has revitalised the activities. In this connection, it must be remembered that South Asia that is home to over 20 per cent of the global population has enough resources and potential to emerge as the economic powerhouse given the necessary boost and commitment of the concerned member countries. This has become all the more crucial in the face of the flux that the international market is going through. Herein, economic cooperation that is the bulwark of this prestigious regional grouping must be the path for the overall welfare of the peoples of the seven countries that constitute SAARC. The stakes are high and so the efforts too should be commensurate. That tackling poverty and terrorism is high on the agenda must be the reason why there has to be a greater camaraderie among all the member states to chalk out various ways and means to deal with them effectively and efficiently. But the cooperation of all the concerned is more than necessary.

As a part of the undergoing initiatives to reinvigorate the cooperation efforts, the South Asia Growth Quadrangle was floated. As a follow-up the South Asia Sub-Regional Cooperation (SASEC) came into being. It comprises of Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The main thrust for such is to have streamlined policies and programmes whereby all logistics related to the movement of goods and people within the sub-regional level is streamlined. The other day the second meeting of the SAGQ’s Transport Working Group commenced and the commitment was made for developing the transport network within the sub-region to enhance economic performance of the four countries that constitute it. This particularly has great significance for Nepal as it is a landlocked country together with Bhutan. It may be worthwhile remembering here that SASEC is supported by the Asian Development Bank. It is a fruitful venture and if the action plan is formulated and works carried out accordingly, such a sub-regional transport network would benefit not only Nepal but also all the other member countries. It is genuine commitment and concrete strategies that work and not anything that is on an ad hoc basis. But going by the seriousness of SASEC, it can be hoped that the transport network, as envisaged, would prove to be a landmark of cooperation towards the prosperity of South Asia as a whole. Deliberations must lead to results which will only then be of vital and sustainable benefit.

Cash In On Floriculture

THE diverse climate and geographic conditions provide Nepal with the comparative advantage in floriculture and horticulture. The two sectors however have been pushed to the back seat in the absence of a concrete plan of action. It is imperative on the part of the concerned agencies to highlight the comparative advantage that remains to be tapped. Unless the people are assured of the gains, which the sectors have in store for them, they would always be hesitant to invest. These two sectors have not been able to gather steam as prospective investors have not still been guaranteed the market to sell their products. Hence if the concerned government and non-government agencies go about with the twin task of publicising the comparative advantage and the exploration of markets, many people who are whiling their time away could be wooed to take up floricultural and horticulture. It has not been long since floriculture has come up with promising prospects. Going by the news reports published recently, there are over twenty-four nurseries registered at the Department of Small and Cottage Industries; all of them are concentrated in the Kathmandu valley. This clearly reveals that the sector does have bright prospects. The number of nurseries could have been higher if it had not been for the legal provisions barring new registrations in the valley. Now registrations have been restricted since the year 2052 BS. As nurseries unlike other industries do not cause pollution to the city environment, it would be for the benefit of the nation at large to lift the restrictions.

Nepal has no dearth of market for its products. The southern neighbour India with a population of one billion people could be a viable market for floriculture. Efforts thus need to be geared towards exploring the market situation in India so that floriculture could be taken up at a commercial scale. The floriculture industry could offer many advantages if it is integrated with the regional market. Apart from strengthening the revenue base, the sector could provide a large number of jobs and contribute to address the problems of unemployment. Giving a commercial dimension to the industry would largely depend on the facilities that the state cold give to prospective investors. The government needs to work out a plan to give soft loans to those who wish to venture into this sector. The establishment of other parallel industries could help floriculture to have a steady going. The perfume industry is one such industry that can add to the comparative advantage, which the sector of floriculture offers.