BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Missing link in IT sector because of no govt support

By A Staff Reporter

When the development of Information Technology (IT) has transformed the whole world into a global village, still it’s effect in Nepal is very minimum. Despite the private sectors’ commitment to place Nepal at the global IT map by exporting software and services, a “missing link” due to the absence of government support is posing them with many difficulties.

Though late, the government has showed interest in the development of the IT sector. However, the challenges are many in its way towards fulfilling the “missing link” to connect the country with the IT world.

“Nepal has already been left far behind in the development of Information Technology. Any further delay in it may have a deep impact in our society,” said Minister for Information and Communication, Govinda Bahadur Shah. He was addressing IT entrepreneurs and professionals gathered at the inauguration ceremony of National College of Computer Studies at Kantipath, Kathmandu on Sunday.

“As the people in the government have little knowledge about the technology, the government was at the state of confusion regarding the formulation of policies,” the Minister for Information and Communication said. He was referring to the establishment of an IT Park and formulation of policies to govern export of software and software services from Nepal.

After more than five years of conception of the IT Park in the country, the government has not yet been able to establish the same. Though there are a number of reasons behind this, the main reason was the lack of commitment from the government’s side, the IT professionals point out.

Though the government is raising an average revenue of more than Rs. 10 lakhs everyday from the computer sector, the budget allocated for the Park was also not enough in the past. Besides that, the IT Park project was initially conceived under the Ministry of Industry. But later the responsibility for that was given to the Ministry of Information and Communication. However, the project work is progressing at a snail’s pace.

“In order to reach our goal, we will have to work very closely with companies across the border,” said Bijaya Krishna Shrestha, President of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN). The Nepalese IT sector must join hands with the Indian companies to give a momentum to the Nepalese IT industry, he said.

Similarly, Allen Tuladhar, General Secretary of CAN, said that the “missing link” can be fulfilled only if the Nepalese IT sector move ahead with the right kind of attitude. He also informed about CAN’s association with FNCCI to address difficulties posing the export of software from Nepal.

Speaking on the same occasion, Minister Shah also informed about the tender called on to set 1000 VSAT stations and Wire Less Loop (WLL) system to cover up even the Himalayan region of the country in its information network. Only last year, the government gave permission to use VSAT to the private sector to smoothen the information highway. It still has to formulate policies and Cyber Law.

Unlimited NuMedia launches flat-fee email service in Chitwan

By A Staff Reporter

In a bid to expand its Internet access services nationwide, Kathmandu-based Unlimited Numedia Pvt Ltd has launched its e-mail services in Chitwan today amidst a grand ceremony held in Narayanghat. Unlimited NuMedia was the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Nepal to come out with a flat-fee email and Internet package. The company is now offering the same in Chitwan through its local partner Sama Computers located at Lions Chowk, Narayanghat.

Managing Director of Sama Computers, Bijaya Bajracharya said that email services are being provided at a flat-fee structure of Rs. 100/- per month for any amount of email that a user wants to send and receive. According to a press release of the Unlimited NuMeida, there is an annual membership charge and a one-time installation fee payable at the time of joining. Bajracharya feels that this affordable email service will help business organisations in and around Chitwan exploit the benefits provided by newer technology for fast, cheap and efficient communication.

Unlimited NuMedia is also the only ISP in Nepal that provides protection against viruses for all incoming and outgoing email. Hence, when a virus is detected in an email, it will be delivered to the recipient after the virus is removed automatically by Unlimited’s mail server and both the sender and recipient will get a warning message.

All email customers of Unlimited also get access to a variety of other services like FTP server (for useful software downloads), Newsgroup (public discussion forum via email), Internet server, global roaming, mailing list subscriptions, etc. without any additional charge. Unlimited subscribers are also provided free of cost the customized Internet Explorer 5 and Outlook Express 5. All of these value-added services help make connecting to Unlimited the best Nepalese experience on the Internet.

“Possibility of increment in German tourists”

By A Staff Reporter

A 19 member Nepalese business delegation lead by B. K. Shrestha president of Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and Industry returned to Nepal on 24 December 2000 after participating at CMT 2000 International Tourism Fair held in the city of Stuttgart, Germany from 15 January till 23 January 2000.

Visitors at the Nepal pavilion at CMT 2000 Fair.

1361 exhibitors from 106 countries had participated in 9 day long exhibition. 270,000 people from all over southern Germany came to CMT 2000 to find out about the holiday destinations world over. Nepal Stand was no exception as well over 100,000 visitors and 1000 exhibitors visited the stand to inquire about the tourism facilities in the country. The Nepalese participants were pleased with the outcome of the exhibition as they were able to book nearly 2500 clients to visit the country in the year 2000. Likewise four German exhibitors at the Nepal Stand have confirmed bookings of approximately 7000 visitors to Nepal.

The cultural group lead by renowned choreographer Basant Srhestha comprising of Sri Krishna Shrestha, Navin K.C., Sharanga Shrestha, Luna Shrestha, Sita Gurung and two Monks, Tenzin Nima. Lama and Sanggi Tsowang cities as well as 14 programmes at the fair ground. The performance was carried live on Radio 7, Radio Antenna and SWR television. The cultural programme was one of the main reasons which attracted so many visitors to the Nepal Stand.

H.E. Balaram Singh Malla, Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany and Madame Ann-Katrin Baucknecht, Honorary Royal Nepalese Consul in Stuttgart also attended the fair. H.E. Malla and President of NGCCI, B.K. Shrestha addressing a press conference and Nepal Travel Mart organised by Royal Nepalese Consulate in Stuttgart on 17 January 2000 spoke of the need to strengthen bilateral relation between the Kingdom of Nepal and The federal republic of Germany and highlighted the importance of tourism to the Nepalese economy. The also highlighted the areas of cooperation that the two countries could undertake. The programme was moderated by Madame Bauknecht Chief Executive of NGCCI Binayak Shah addressing the function emphasized on the potential of marketing Nepal as Sports Destination and presented a paper on “Sports in the Himalayas.”

More than 200 travel agents, active adventure tour operators, members of German press corp., officials from Baden Wuettemberg tourist association and friends of Nepal attended the programme. Guests at the programme were shown video “Everest & More” and other colorful slides on adventure tourism.

The delegation also called on Minister Von Trotha (Science, Research and culture) of State of Baden Wuerttemberg, Dr. Christopher Paler, State Minister, Roger Heidt, CEO, Tourist Association in Baden Wuerttemberg to discuss the matters of natural interest.

The delegation accompanied by H.E. Malla and Madame Bauknecht also toured the Linden Museum on 16 January 2000 to see Buddhist Exhibition. H.E. Malla addressing a group of important dignitaries at the museum stressed on the need for close cooperation between the two countries. The cultural group gave an excellent performance at the museum.

NGCCI in association with Messrs. Hochland Kaffee, Stuttgart (importers of coffee & tea) exhibited Nepalese Tea at the Stuttgart Market Hall on 18 January 2000. More than 450 visitors attended the exhibition and tried Nepalese tea. Messrs Hochland Kaffee has been marketing Nepalese tea in Germany for well over three years.

Honorary Royal Nepalese Consul in Stuttgart, Madame Ann-Katrin Bauknecht, NGCCI chief executive, Binayak Shah, executive member Herbert Wesley met and discussed matters of mutual interest and cooperation with Robert Bergman, Head of Foreign Trade Section at Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Stuttgart on 18 January 2000. Areas of collaboration between the two chambers were identified at the discussion and both sides expressed the hope to maintain the line of communication open.

CMT International Tourism Fair which is organised every year is one of the premier tourism fairs in Germany and Europe. NGCCI has been coordinating country’s participation at the fair since 1994. Country’s participation at CMT 2000 was assisted by Nepal Tourism Board, GTZ’s Private Sector Promotion Project, German Nepal Friendship Association and Royal Nepalese Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany.

The delegation comprised of NGGCI, Chief Executive Binayak Shah, Manager Pravakar Rana, Sunil Sharma, Asst. Manager, NTB Ang Tshering Sherpa, Manager Director, Asian Trekking, Arun Regmi, Managing Director, Kathmandu Experience Travels and Tours, Arun Thapa, Managing Director, Potala Travels, Narayan Pokharel, Managing Director, Fish-Tail Tours and Travels, Sangay Gurung, Managing Director, Explore Richa Tours and Travels and Kami Sherpa, Managing Director, Annapurna Treks and Expedition.