Way To Prosperity

Nepal is yet to make attempts to maximize the opportunities that lies in the growing prosperity of the Tibetan Autonomous Region

By KESHAB POUDEL

As the Chinese central government is heavily investing in the infrastructure development of Tibetan Autonomous Region of China (TAR), the growing economic activities across its northern border has opened up new opportunities for Nepal . After the completion of Qinghai- Lhasa railway by 2007, Nepal will have definite advantages as it will have another option to enhance trade.

Highway to Tibet : Road to prosperity

Situated in the southern part of Himalaya covering more than 1400 kilometers border with TAR, Nepal is geographically close to Tibet . For centuries, people living in both the end of Himalayas enjoyed enormous economic benefits of each other. Before the entry of British, Nepal had monopoly in Trans Himalayan Trade with Tibet .

Under the British domination, Nepal lost its monopoly trade in Tibet . Following the founding of TAR four decade ago, the old relations between Nepal and TAR have revived. Although present bilateral trade with TAR is in favor of TAR, there is enough possibility to increase Nepalese export to the region.

As Nepal 's independence is important to maintain peace, prosperity and stability in Tibet , Chinese government has already agreed to consider Nepal 's proposal for custom exemption for certain Nepalese products.

"The existence of independent Nepal is essential element for China 's security," writes Wang Zong, a Chinese scholar in recently published book Nepal 's National Defensive Strategy and Nepal-China Relations. "The security threat faced by Tibet when these three Himalayan Kingdoms Nepal , Bhutan and Sikkim were under British security umbrella is even today crucial issue to China ."

Nepal and Tibet share a long border with religious and cultural similarities. Four decades ago when Tibetan Autonomous Region was founded, Nepal had many advantages in terms of export of products. The situation has changed now as Tibet has made tremendous progress in the area of infrastructures and other development.

" China 's Tibet and Nepal share border, which provides a particularly favorable natural condition for the development of cooperation. Close exchanges in various fields will greatly facilitate communication and cooperation between Tibet and Nepal . I am confident that with the concerted efforts of our two countries, there will be a bright and broad future for developing generation-to-generation friendship and good neighborly partnership between China and Nepal ," said Chinese ambassador to Nepal Sun
Heping.

In the last four decades, Tibet has transformed from backward region to modernized one. "The state gives special support for Tibet 's development in terms of capital, technology and personnel. In the last four decades, Tibet has progressed by leaps and bounds in the system, structure and total volume of its economy. Especially over the past 10 years, Tibet 's economic growth rate has reached over 12 percent annually," said Chinese ambassador Sun Heping, addressing the gathering at the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of Tibet Autonomous Region.

Isolated for centuries from the rest of the mainland China and other parts of the world, Tibet has now road access to all Chinese province as well as road linking to Nepal . "There was no highway in Tibet in the old days but today a road transportation network has taken shape with national highways and 14 provincial highways as the trunk lines with more than 41,300 kilometers open to traffic. Construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway began in 2001; when it is completed and opened to traffic in 2007, the days when Tibet is not accessible by rail will go beyond recall," said Heping.

"The Chinese government has taken effective measures to protect monasteries and cultural relic because of the unique cultural tradition and religious belies there. Tibet has nearly 1,800 religious venues and more than 46,000 registered monks and nuns, and that important religious festivals and activities are regularly held. Each year, Lhasa alone receives nearly 1 million Buddhist pilgrims, Tibetan people's religious freedom and traditional customs are fully respected and protected there," said Heping addressing the gathering.

As the pace of modernization of Tibet is going high, it will have spill over effect on Nepal . Although many friends from other parts of the world come and go, Nepal 's two neighbors China and India will always be there. Nepal can change its friends but it cannot change its neighbors. Modernization of TAR has already started to benefit Nepal 's tourism and other sectors supporting its efforts to gain economic independence.