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March, 2004 |
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Editorial |
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Positive Outlook Despite
innumerable examples that spread negativism about the prospects for
Nepali economy, it is good to note that there are some positive aspects
which deserve appreciation and emulation. This issue of Nubiz has
presented some of them. First,
take the example of the reforms being spearheaded by a one-man army of
Krishna Hari Baskota as the director General of the Department of
Customs, a government department which was till last year perceived to
be impossible for any reforms. The support Baskota has obviously
received from his colleagues in the department deserves appreciation.
While his track record in the Department of Commerce has helped him in
what he is doing in the customs department, the fact that he is carrying
on with his reforms oriented style of administration also in such a
challenging department deserves more appreciation. Though these reforms
are not enough and there is always a room for improvement, these
experiences help to refute the still-prevailing general hypothesis that
Nepali administrative system is impossible to reform. Recognizing
Baskota’s contributions by publicly honouring him, Nepal Chamber of
Commerce has started a positive tradition. Next
example to note with positive optimism which Nubiz has covered in this
issue is that of the Patan Handicraft Centre. Though the existing laws
and practices (such as the laws related to labour and cooperatives and
the stringent practices of banks in lending to the marketing
organization) pose a number of hurdles in such small scale businesses,
the idea of ancillarisation is being successfully implemented by this
company. Without doubt, it is one example worth emulating also by other
small scale businesses. How
the adamant government is denying the businesses the opportunity to
benefit from the cheap labour said to be available in the country is a
problem frequently highlighted in various fora. But the businesses
cannot wait perpetually till the government reforms the laws. In that
case the best that the business can do is to go for higher level of
automation as NEBICO says it is considering. Though it may seem a
negative development against the background of growing employment
problems in the country, this step indicates that the Nepali business
community has at last started actually resorting to plan B when the
government fails to listen to their genuine plea. Otherwise, the Nepali
business people would just continue whining about their problems and
nagging for this and other concessions. Equally
important positivism expected in the Nepali economy is from the silver
lining visible around the dark clouds of the Maoist insurgency.
Hardships caused by displacement of population will help generate
entrepreneurial activities from people so displaced, say some analysts
who have studied across societies. If the required supports are provided
to the Maoist victims, some of them are likely to emerge as new
entrepreneurs in the country. At
the same time it should also be noted that if the wrath brewing among
the Moist victims is not channelised in forward directions, it may also
result in the emergence of another group of gun wielding insurgents in
the country. If that happens, it will be more difficult to manage the
situation than it is today. |
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Send your feedback to the editor: bizline@mos.com.np |
