|
Vol. 4 :: No. 1 January,
2002 (Paush
- Magh)
|
Corporate Law
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
Corporate Law |
IT progress is very slow
- Lochan Lal Amatya Amatya is President of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) Business Age: How do you see the progress of Information Technology in Nepal in recent years ? Lochan Lal Amatya: The government has taken a marked positive initiative since last year. The new Science and Technology Minister; Bhakta Bahadur Balayar, has also shown keen interest in the promotion of IT in the country. He is even pushing us (CAN) to be more pro-active and help the government in closer cooperation by playing the role of a facilitator. However, ironically, I must say the pace of progress is not satisfactory. Speaking of recent development in IT, the communication aspect is very vital and therefore need to be promoted side by side Due to the recent recession in the world, Nepal too is adversely affected. However, there are things which could be developed within the nation. For example, gearing the government and private offices with the already available resources. But then the result of such activities will not be immediately visible. BA: Both the government and the private sector are talking about huge potential of software export to foreign markets. Are there anyone exporting or ready to export software from Nepal at present ? And do you think that it will be materialized in a full-fledged way ? LA: Speaking about software, basically we mean "software related services" in Nepal. Although few IT companies are exporting something related with software, we do not have a clear report on hand on the nature of the software being exported. As such, we do not have software companies in Nepal. Some activities are in progress only at personal level on contract basis and on very limited amount. However, we do have tremendous potentials in IT software such as web page and documentation services. But then we have our own methodology which are different from company to company. We are not following any international standard. So, unless we do not have a standard quality control mechanism, we cannot think of software export in a meaningful way. Although the current IT policy envisages that the IT sector will be receiving facility similar to other industries, this is yet to be brought into practice. BA: Could you please mention the number of people involved in IT related services? LA: We have not done any survey, and therefore, I cannot exactly tell you about it. We have funding constraint to do the survey. Moreover these is a tendency among companies to hide facts and figures. However, the government has initiated moves like registration process. So we except that in near future we can monitor this aspect. BA: How do you find the existing IT policy for the growth of the sector at a time when the competition in IT sector is getting tough globally? LA: If what is mentioned in the IT policy is implemented in letter and spirit, it is a wonderful policy. The policy is wholesome by itself for the growth of the nation’s IT sector. But as I have mentioned earlier, it came very late. And moreover, the budget allocated for the promotion of IT sector has not been optimally utilized. BA: What progress has been made towards the establishment of IT Park? LA: It is in the process of building the boundary walls and giving contract to construct the building for which Rs 120 Million has been allocated. There will be two separate building. BA: Could you please brief about the activities of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) and its organization structure ? LA: Since its establishment in 1992, we have achieved cumulative gains. We have been very successful in creating awareness among both the government and private sector about the importance of IT in their respective fields. We have been actively assisting the government in its IT related endeavours – for example, in drafting the cyber law. BA: Could you say a fee words about CAN Infotech 2002 ? Does the event also include foreign exhibitors this time? What is the number of expected visitors at the event ? And what do you expect to achiever from the exhibition? LA: One of our main objectives will be to generate awareness among the mass about the progress being made in IT sector in Nepal and to introduce and experiment the products. Besides, we are organizing a two day seminar during the five day exhibition. The theme is "Creating a Network Society in the Twenty First Century." The objective will be to bring together the different components related with IT sector. The expertise will be both Nepalese and foreigners. We will swap our experiences. BA: What are the major
problems for IT development in Nepal ? Do we need amendments in the
present IT LA: One of the major challenges is generating awareness or, in technical term, we call it "e-governance". One of the benefits from e-governance is that the company can reduce cost on its employees. Another major challenge is to cope with the "digital divide" which information delivery can help. But again, this system has to be cheap and easily understood by the mass. Such system has already been introduced in India lately. Even the local farmers should be able to operate and understand the technology. BA: Recently we heard about hacking websites of different government institutions. Don’t we have laws to protect this ? To further expedite our IT sector in a systematic way, what new initiatives from the government and the private sector are needed ? LA: We need cyber law to check this menace. Without it we can do nothing. Cyber law is soon going to be introduced in our country. The other aspect is our website are not formulated in a secure way. The pass words are not kept secret. Therefore, every company should have its own safe security principles. BA: When will the common Nepali afford IT? LA: Well, for this purpose, our GDP level has to improve. We import all IT items paying dollar and hence it is expensive for the average Nepali. Abroad, a CPU which costs $ 15 will cost $ 150 here. Nevertheless, overall, the price of IT is getting cheaper world wide. Besides, there are few companies in Nepal which are trying to make available computers in as low price as Rs 25,000. The main thing is we have to make our own production or assemble locally to make it affordable for the general mass. Annually, 30 thousand computer sets enter into Nepal, according to an estimate. BA: What about Foreign Direct Investment in IT? LA: Very negligible. Not worth mentioning. Our policy implementation in this aspect is weak. Therefore there is not much enthusiasm among foreign investors. |
|
|
IT Mania Uncensored
| Editorial
| Opinion
Poll |
Inner-View | Letters
| Voices |
Business
News | Management | Launches |
|
|
Send your feedback to the editor: bizage@ecomail.com.np |
