The Big Sandal

People's Love for Toilet

Along with life and other properties, people of Sindhupalchok lost their toilets in the devastating Earthquake of April 2015. However, due to their habit of using toilet, they're doing whatever they could to revive their toilet. 

The hygiene and sanitation status in the rural countryside is usually poor. After the massive campaign by UN Habitat through the support of Global Sanitation Fund, and local implementing partners--SEBAC Nepal and Janahit--the district was about to declare Open Defecation Free (ODF) on the last week of April 2015. However, the earthquake that appeared swept almost everything, including toilets. The repeated aftershocks that followed damaged the remaining toilets among other properties. 

Despite the disaster, people are using their toilets by all means. The campaign has imprinted deep impression of sanitation behavior among people. Those villagers who used to go to the nearby forest, or crop field for defecation before, are now using their makeshift toilets. It is indeed a great leap forward. 

After the disaster, people's endeavor to revive their toilet has a great variety. Some people are using available grass, tree branches or leaves for making temporary walls. Likewise, others are even using stone slates to plastic to make their toilet pan usable. 

Moreover, some toilets are even riskier for people. Those toilet include the broken heavy stone wall of the toilet posing potential danger to the lives of those users. 

The massive ODF campaign of UN Habitat together with Janahit has profound effect in building a habit of defecating in toilet among the people of Sindhupalchok. Now, even after the disaster, the urge to use the broken toilet is indicator of peoples' concern for using toilet. 

A local NGO of Sindhupalchok, Janahit is now implementing Toilet Revival Campaign in Irkhu and Kubinde VDCs under UN Habitat's CERF project. 

Gendering Water

 Disrupting water source due to earthquake has made the situation even worse for women because fetching water has predominantly been the women's business in rural Nepal.

Among other household chores, bringing water is what women are responsible for in most households throughout the country. It is one of the daily task that is not considered economically important. The role of women is assigned to execute most of the in-house works has been exclusively given to women through ages. 

After the devastating earthquake of 25th April 2015, the affected district Sindhupalchok, among others, is facing severe shortage of water. In fact, most of the water source have dried, some of them are relocated, but only few number of new ones have emerged. According to local people, the first quake of 25th disrupted water source; the second gave birth to several new sources; however, the third stronger aftershock dried most of them. 

Due to the repeated aftershocks the risk of drying water source is larking. 

Safeguarding water sources is key concern of the government and the civil societies. In addition, several international organizations are also working in WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) in Sindhupalchowk. Currently, most notably, 26 INGOs are working in water supply rehabilitation. Among them Red Cross is trucking water; UNICEF, World Vision, Oxfam, Malteser International, Lutheran World Federation, CESI, HELVETAS, Mercy Corps, 

Care Nepal are working to repairing water tanks, installing water pipes, rehabilitating water sources as well as distributing container pots. Most of them have either formulated new water users' committee or revived the old one. However, presence of women is not so much. 

Due to the incessant efforts of the donors and the government body water availability is gradually improving. According to the update of WASH Cluster--the group of donors working in sanitation and hygiene in the district--several water supply schemes are being built, water sources are being revived, and access of water is being improved. 

If the nature favors with less or no aftershocks the endeavor of all these organization is reaping its harvest. As a result, water supply schemes will be revived soon, and most of the households will be able to drink clean, safe and pure water. 

However, the access of water to every households is not going to lessen the burden for women. Many water sources, if they got revived, are still far away from their homes. Next, many houses lack male members of the family. They are either in the other country, working as labor or migrated to the nearby town for employment and study. As a result, water fetching is being more skewed to women; and they're seemingly becoming responsible for it. 

Earthquake in Sindhupalchok has suffered people much; however, women are more suffering due to lack of sufficient water. The effort of all the donors and government have improved the access of water, yet, women are the ones who carry water from the nearest accessible point to their homes. 

Building Hopes: Building Homes !

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Mp8X3nfepM95xKLqXidTs45FQLvn5hAyLGiaOBVwf_c/edit?usp=sharing

The Unforgettable Walk

The Making of God

Some people are really crazy. They've bizarre idea to show their love and devotion for somebody. They make temples of their loved ones, and make them God for worshiping. 

Developing world is characterized by feudal society laden with massive poverty and illiteracy where some elites want to grab power by using the people's trait of believing. People belive because there's no other option left for them. They've to believe in Karma which says that poverty and sufferings are the result of their past lives. It is an act of God. Their poverty and illiteracy make them belief, and even worship on whatever the local powerful ones tell them to do. 

Moreover, those elites are the ones who have created all those idols, Temples, Mosques and Churches. Since they make it, they're the authoritative agent to the powerful creature--the God. They're close to God, they say, so that they can rule over the rest of the masses. 

In an instance, cadres of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) made a temple of PM Narendra Modi in Gujrat in an attempt to prove them to be greater lover and devotee of the powerful Indian man. Those cadres build the temple of Mr. Modi so that BJP can be religiously institutionalized, and their cadres can get a permanent hold in the society. But, this shrewd man denied the temple from being built, saying that it is against the Indian tradition.  

However, majority of other notable Indian spiritual orators--who have declared themselves a God--are making their temples. It is not the first time a temple was made of a person in India. There are temples of Superstars Amitabh Bachchan, Rajanikant; and politician Sonia Gandhi. Moreover, there are many temples of modern day religious orators.   

Moreover, some people need God not to tighten their grip in power, but to hold them calm. They need something to hold on, to calm down, to carry on or to believe in, so that they're occupied. Besides, they also want to show other about their affiliation with the powerful one which they worship. As a result they've created God out of their mind and started worshiping. 

People make God to satisfy their own need. They create God either to show them strong, keep in top hierarchy in the society they live, make them closer to power, or keep them attached to something. 

Does Neutrality Prevent Intervention ?

Non Alignment Movement was created during cold war to safeguard its members from the intervention of USA or Russia, but it has failed to do so. 

The neutral status of Ukraine could not defend its sovereignty which forced it to join the western military pact—NATO. The Ukranian parliament voted to officially associate it with the stronger military force of the west, in a bid to save its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the invasion of stronger eastern neighbor. 

The middle-of-the-road position couldn't save Ukraine from the intervention of Russia. Non Alignment Movement (NAM) which was created at the height of the cold war in 1961, to counter the effect of western imperialism and Russian communism, is still campaign with 120 member states on board. But the alliance of almost two third of the world’s nations could not save Kiev from Kremlin’s unlawful intervention.

Now, the question arises. Is neutrality a threat to sovereignty, territorial integrity and peace of an independent nation?

Neutrality has fewer space in the current world order. The world is very much divided. When the world was divided into the aforementioned power blocs, some rich countries--Europeans and Baltic states were still their allies. Even after the fall of Russian empire, the world was almost unipolar with the US as the powerful polar star. However, the rise of China, India, Brazil and South Africa, and forming BRICS, including Russia, has made the world multi-polar. This signifies that countries are aligned towards their respective influential poles. Even the UN security council is deeply divided between cold war era power alliances, i.e. US (UK and France) and Russia (with China). 

At this juncture, especially the LDC and LLDCs are more vulnerable to encroachment from the old as well as new power blocs. India has still turbulent border dispute with its neighbors, especially Nepal, where SSB of India is often said to move border pillars. In addition, China's presence in the South China Sea is hostile for Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. 

Especially, after Ukraine joined NATO, the neutral path of two thirds of the countries of the world is in limbo. It has neither protected them from encroachment of the powerful, and the new powers are constantly emerging. As a result, neutrality has become the connotation of surrender.  

Economics and the fall of nationalism

Economic insecurity and harsh taxation system have forced people to goodbye their citizenship.

The feeling of one’s attachment to the country of birth is gradually fading. Although the USA attracts immigrants globally, the citizen is already packing their bags for other countries leaving their citizenship and permanent residency. Whereas, thousands of immigrants are risking their lives entering Australia and Europe. The major reason behind, among others, is the economy.

The figure of Americans denouncing their passport has soared lately. Particularly, the new tax law, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is infuriating many expats. According to Federal Register, 776 US citizens bid their final goodbye to the US. Whereas, altogether 2,999, a 221% increase from the previous years of denouncement, was seen in 2013.

Similarly, a large number of Russians left their country in 2014 than before. Russia’s official statistics service, Rosstat, shows the exodus of 186,382 Russians in 2013 and 122,751 in 2012. Besides Putin’s policy of isolating Russia from the outside world, and the glimpse of severe recession due to western sanction made them to think about their future outside Russia.

Nearly half of China's business leaders with more than $16 million of wealth have investments overseas, according to the research firm, Bain Consulting. Now, China’s fortune of hundreds of billions of dollars, and waves of millionaires are flocking out of China to overseas. The wealthy are moving to protect their wealth, their health and their families. As well, with increasingly cracking down on ill-gotten gains and corruption, several politically connected rich are eyeing for safer shelters abroad.

The exodus of the citizen of the big economy to safe havens for securing their hard gotten wealth shows that economy greater role than nationalism. The era of utter nationalism where people were motivated to serve, live or even die for their birthplace is gradually shifting to economic domain. The globalization has further made the border permeable for those willing to migrate.

In a nutshell, if you want to retain your citizen, don’t impose more economic burden over them. Simple!

Consensus Blues of Nepali Politics

The ruling elites of Nepal who are invariably in the majority never want consensus to hear the voices of weaker sections of the masses. 

Photo: DECCAN Chronicle

When India PM Narendra Modi said, ‘Nepal should make a constitution on consensus taking confidence of dissident parties rather than majority voting’ sparked a political debate in Nepal. Mr Modi’s remarks in the course of his visit to Nepal during 18th SAARC summit in Nepal has provoked some leaders of Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal, United Marxist and Leninist (CPNUML) who are pro-rightist. Whereas the Maoist leaders are more assured of it, and thought to aid in their stance of consensus for the constitution. 

Mr Modi’s suggestion is taken as intervention by pro-rightist leaders of Nepali Congress and CPNUML. Those leaders, mostly belonging to the traditional ruling elite of Nepal, are not convinced to address all the subdued voices of the weaker section of the ethnically diverse Nepali society. Since they’ve been in majority throughout the democratic history of Nepal, they’re less likely to accept the representation and inclusion of all the people left behind. Whereas, Maoist leaders who are regarded as pro-leftist and close to all the disadvantaged people of Nepal are in favor of consensus in constitution building. Their demand is to address the voice of the people belonging to the weaker section of Nepali society who barely has a majority in the Constituent Assembly.

Leaders of NC and UML have criticized Mr Modi’s remarks. Gagan Thapa, a young and popular leader of the NC has said that Modi doesn’t have right to intervene in Nepali politics. In addition, Mohan Bikram Singh, the leader of a fraction of CPNUML said that Modi’s remarks over Nepal’s process of constitution making is intervention in Nepal’s sovereignty. Both of them belong to the ruling elite of Nepal.

Nepal holds the story of dominance by ruling elite in executive, judicial system and the legislature. Those ruling elites are Bahun, Chhetri and Newar, or popularly known as people of the mid-hill. After Janga Bahadur Rana, the powerful and cunning prime minister promulgated the Civil Code 1910 based on caste hierarchy the people belonging to lower echelon remained oppressed. His Civil Code is just a continuation of Jaya Sthiti Malla’s division of Nepali society into four categories—Brahmana, Chhetria, Vaishya and Sudra—based on the very Hindu philosophy of Vedic saint Manu. Even after so called restoration of democracy in 1950 the same group got a chance to exercise power. After two decades of democracy, then the King Mahendra declared Nepal a Hindu state which further helped mid hill people to prosper. As a result, they got a chance to gain education, collect property, acquire most of the political and administrative positions and patronized their cronies to rule the country. The situation remained same until the second democracy in 1950.

The majority voting system was further restored in 1950 after falling partyless Panchayat regime of the monarch. Yet, the people of lower hierarchy remained away from exercising democratic values in the country. It was until the third peoples’ revolution in 2006 which introduced inclusive democracy. A coalition government was made based on consensus. Realizing the fact that the mere majority voting could not represent all the people, the coalition government held the Constitution Assembly election following first past the post and proportional representation voting system. The interim government was formed from the Constituent Assembly, which also drafted an interim constitution.

The interim constitution is a short term arrangement for restoring peace and addressing the voice of the people left behind by the mainstream development. Its mandate is to make a constitution that can address the suffering of all the weaker section of Nepali society who have never felt associated with the state. Thus, there was an agreement of listening to the voice of all the people who normally do not have representation (or enough representation) in government.

However, those ruling elites of mid hill are not happy with listening to the voice of all those left behind. Although consensus was the only mantra to write constitution first, then follow the norms of constitutionalism i.e. rule of the majority, periodic election, supremacy of the people, democracy, rule of law and judicial review.

Narendra Modi who is watching the political advancement of Nepal closely, just uttered few words to reinstate what Nepal has decided to go ahead with. Some leaders are simply commenting on him to defend their greater share of several decades of power usage.      

   

Reform way forward for New Nepal

The ride to the economy is not easy for the new government. For years, Nepal's economy has long been entangled in its structural problems. The economy is in ruins--as per some indicators, and a sign of improvement is looming.  Now, adoption of an appropriate fiscal policy is the way forward.  In order to stabilize the macroeconomic balance, we have to promote a new round of reform. The country is still pursuing dual economy. Owing to majority—more than 65 percent—of rural population, a single economic development strategy will not reap the advantage.  For crafting Nepal’s economic reform, the political leadership should take a bold decision. 

Before exploring Nepal’s new economic development possibilities, it’s worth knowing the challenges.

Uneven development

Nepal has been facing the problem of imbalanced development for decades. Since the fifth 5 year development plan the concept of regional development emerged, thereby allocating budgets in equitable basis. However, the distribution was never justifiable. Surprisingly, some influential districts have been disbursed up to a quarter of the national budget, while others were granted only an amount less than a hundredth. The situation worsened after the political change in 2046 BS. Some influential—leaders, MPs and bureaucrats, due to their higher echelon gave out more to their particular districts. For example, in Morang and Sunsari districts, where most of the Prime Minister, Finance, Home and other ministers belong to, have been given a big chunk of the national budget. Likewise, top bureaucrats from National Planning Commission, department of Irrigation, Physical Planning and the local development division also used their power to draw budget into their home town or districts.

The unequal distribution battered hard on other developing regions. They barely received regular development budget. It affected more to Karnali and Far Western districts. Beside the western hill areas, some districts in the plains—Mahottari and Dhanusha also got to suffer by budget crunch. As a result, these areas have human development index below the national average. People in those areas could never feel the presence of the state.

Highway Economy

The construction of East-West highway by the then King Mahendra helped to foster economic activities around the areas; however, only the eastern part of the country reaped benefits. High way helped to develop small market towns around it, which has reached up to 125. Another road, mid-hill highway has also laid foundation for most market towns and increased trade and industry in those mountain patches.

In fact, the lifestyle change in the eastern part of the highway is clearly visible whereas the western part still struggles to thrive. The insufficient infrastructure and scattered settlement-- necessary for the growth of economic activity is somewhat lacking in the west.  For example, 1993 BS, Biratnagar-Sunsari has been developed as an industrial area. Later, Birgunj and Bara-Parsa were developed as Industrial Corridor. In contrary, poorly developing manufacturing units in Butwal , Rupandehi , Banke - Kohalpur, Kailali are besieged for market access long distance of transportation, that have severely obstructed the economic activities.

So far, except in some binding conditions, the mid and far western districts didn’t feel the presence of the state. After the people’s movement, 2046 BS NGOs finally accessed to Karnali, identified injustice, and started pouring some fringe support. Though, the NGO culture merely made them more dependent.

Poor Industrial Development

Although industrialization began quite late, in 1993 BS, the progress is still infantile. During Rana Regime some Jute and match factory were established. In Panchayat era, other countries--Russia, China, and India supported to lay the foundation of the textile, sugar, cement, leather shoes, paper, pharmaceutical and additional factories. However, approval of establishing industries was very difficult because of the intervention of the palace. By acquiring shares up to 51 percent, absolutely for free, the Palace used to ascertain license to such industries. Therefore, no industry, including multinationals, could thrive during the autocratic rule. Its contribution to the GDP, once reached to 19 in 1995/96 has plunged to 15 percent as of now.

Moreover, more than a thousand of large and medium scale industries were closed due to a decade long people’s war. In addition, around twenty thousand of small and cottage industries also followed the similar fate.  

Worsening agricultural sector

Agriculture sector contributes 35 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 65 percent of employment is also degenerating. In the 1970's, Nepal was exporter of agro products, contributing up to 40 percent of GDP. However, total production of food in the country is not sufficient to feed us. Therefore, we are importing hefty sum of grain and vegetable to suffice our need. Due to low production and productivity, agriculture is being abandoned. The production cost exceeds farther than the cost of the same imported goods.

High unemployment

Unemployment is towering because of the lesser opportunity in both the agriculture and industry sector due to their sluggish progress. For example, one in eight youths entering the job market every year gets a job. The only door open for them is to pack their bags, cue on the line, and go for foreign employment.  Currently, the rate of out-migration of 18-40 years of youth is more than 65 percent. The fleeing of working age population abroad is a great risk for the growing economy.

Lack of good governance and opacity

From the good governance perspective, Nepal is in dismal condition, as the corruption index says. Lack of good governance has contributed to deterrence in the economic development. Lack of good governance and opacity is regarded as the main cause of Nepal’s underdevelopment.  It increases the cost of development projects, and reduces spending. Donors also question on the expenditure thereby reducing their aid and investment. This is a great setback for countries like Nepal who depends heavily on foreign aid.

High trade deficit

Nepal is hit hard at present by a massive trade deficit of nearly 5 billion Rupees.  The total income of over a year is merely sufficient in importing petroleum. Substituting import has become just a daydream. At this juncture, there is a dire need to think about a policy—if implement—can substitute imports and increase exports.

If we have to drive the economy towards sustainability and stability, there is an immediate need of the second round of reform. And it should address all those aforementioned challenges.

Religious Tourism: Are we doing enough?

The diverse cultural wealth of Nepal provides huge potential for religious tourism. Motivating domestic visitors and attracting pilgrims from neighboring countries is of great importance.  

Nepal’s rich cultural heritage offers an ample possibility for religious tourism. The population—enriched with several castes, ethnicity and nationality is a portrait of a great cultural legacy. The variety of societies is a great cultural wealth in itself. The harmony among culture is a pride. However, has Nepal ever been able to harvest the benefits from its rich cultural diversity? Is there any mechanism where we can sell our rich family tradition? Or have we ever harvested substantial gain from religious tourism?

So far, Nepal’s religious tourism has always been dependent on luck. As the religion is dependent on faith, the path of its development has remained reliant on destiny. As a resolution, religious tourism in Nepal is following a stunted growth.

Approximately 300 to 330 million pilgrims visit the world's key religious sites every year, reports the World Tourism Organization. Likewise, Americans traveling overseas for "religious or pilgrimage" purposes has increased from 491,000 travelers in 2002 to 633,000 travelers in 2005 (30% growth), estimates the U.S. Office of Travel and Tourism Industries. This image indicates that religious tourists are getting.

However, religious tourism is one among the most promising sector in Nepal. In fact, Nepal harbors fertile ground for flourishing two of the world’s eminent religion—Hinduism and Buddhism. The country slotted between India and China shares a piece of the larger history of ancient civilizations blossoming in the area. Consequently, this tiny southern Asian state offers holy land for the Buddhists of the world. In addition, similarity in history, culture and geography with the vast populace of the south of Himalayas-- across the Ganges plains-- allures millions of Hindu pilgrims of India. Moreover, the country with abundant temples, monasteries and shrines are of outstanding importance for the predominant number of fans in Nepal and abroad.

Nepal is garnered with rich cultural diversity and harmonious religious co-existence among Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Bon, Kirat, Jain and Sikh. For the Hindus, there is one among the holiest--Pashupatinath Temple situated in Kathmandu. Devghat in Tanau district is also a famous spot for Hindus. Likewise, Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha is one of the most revered places for Buddhists in the world, is sited in Rupandehi district. In addition, there are monasteries and caves where Guru Rinpoche meditated. Up in the Himalaya of Mustang district Lord Vishnu is believed to reside in the temple of Muktinath. The district also contains Bonpo shrines. The holy lake of Gosainkunda near the mountain top is devoted to Lord Shiva. 

A routine of religious and ethnic festivals are enjoyed in these pilgrimage sites. The large number of devotees, both Nepalese and Indians, visit Pashupatinath temple during Shivaratri. They also celebrate Maghe Sankranti in Devghat and Kumbhamela in Chatara, Sunsari. 

Several honored religious leaders, priests, saints, monks and Maulanas have been inhabited these places. They have been preserving cultures; motivating people for visiting the place, and inspiring devotees for of pilgrimage.     

However, the epic significance of the religious sites and the perpetual efforts of those religious figures are still insufficient. As a result, Nepal has not been able to showcase its religious hotspot to the prospective customers—pilgrims and tourists—in the region. 

For example, in India, religious tourism has been given an utmost priority. Religious figures, government, private sector and media are playing a significant role in promotion. Most of the locations of mythological significance are already enlisted in scriptures. For example, Gaya, Kashi, Puri, Badrinath dham, Kedarnath dham, Haridwar, Dwaraka etc have already collected hoards of publicity in religious teachings. Next, their media and film also played a significant role in promoting religious tourism. Some Bollywood movies portrays religious sites. The television channels also encourage their viewers to believe in their respective believes and promote religious tourism eventually. Furthermore, celebrated religious persons—there are many in India—play an important prominent role for influencing people for pilgrimage. As a result, countless people flock to India annually in their voyage for religion.

Moreover, people of Mecca, the Muslim holy place, do not need agriculture because the God has given them the pilgrimage as their yearly crop. Millions of Muslims go to the Islam’s holiest site, Saudi Arabia to take part in the year’s haj. The annual haj ceremony brings approximately 16.5 billion dollar—3% of GDP to Saudi Arabia. Next, Jerusalem, a holy metropolitan for all three Abrahamic religions, also draws large number of pilgrims. Likewise, huge number of Shia Muslims visit shrines in Iraq.

Despite having Buddhists’ holy site—Lumbini in Nepal, an adequate mechanism is still lacking. World’s second largest economy—China is just at the northern border. Although Buddhist population is rapidly being converted to Christianity in China, the remaining number of Buddhist in the country are still higher than any countries in the world. If Nepal can attract them, it would be enough for sure.

There is a need to attract religious tourists/devotees by promoting pilgrimages through religious personalities, government agencies, private sector and media. Definitely, media has a profound effect—proved by many researches—on customer’s motivation. A regular discussion on pilgrimage sites in media with eminent spiritual personalities has a profound effect on potential visitors. It helps local devotees/pilgrims to explore native religious places of divine reputation rather going India or China because travelling to other countries has become riskier for Nepalese pilgrims.

In a nutshell, we have to promote our religiously valued holy sites to our citizen first, that will save a huge sum of money from going abroad. Besides visiting Indian cities or Manasarovar of China for religious tour, we have to explore our historically important places. Next, the strategic location of Nepal between two great Asian cultures—India and China gives us a great opportunity to earn, develop and prosper. This can also be possible through religious tourism. Also, attracting the prospective tourists of the Indian Sub-continent to visit the Nepalese pilgrimage destinations is a big battle to be won.

TBT Agreement Promotes Production of Quality Goods for Export

Implementation of Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) not only promotes producing quality goods but also restricts import of cheap and low quality goods that are harmful for people and the national economy.

Nepal’s membership of the WTO in April 2004 has harnessed its integration into the international economy. It has aimed to establish an enabling environment for the private sector thus fostering improvement in competitiveness. Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)--an agreement within the framework of the WTO—assures the quality production of goods for export that helps to promote Nepal’s international trade.

What is Technical Barriers to Trade?

Technical Barriers to Trade is a protective measure applied by the government to protect its domestic producers from foreign influx of goods. The Government of Nepal (GoN) applies domestic regulatory process that allows limited entry of products from other countries. In addition, TBT is Non-tariff Barriers and measures (NTBs) other than border tariffs affecting trade in goods, services and factors of production. TBT is rule for product weight, size, packaging, ingredient or identity standards, mandatory labeling, shelf-life restrictions, and import testing and certification procedures.

The aim of the TBT Agreement is to insure that technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures, do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade. In addition, the agreement allows adequate regulatory discretion, to protect human, animal and plant life and health, national security, the environment, consumers, and other policy interests of the member countries.

The TBT Agreement establishes rules and disciplines designed to prevent mandatory technical regulations, voluntary standards, and conformity assessment procedures from becoming unnecessary barriers to international trade. Nevertheless, the TBT Agreement seeks to allow members with sufficient domestic policy autonomy to pursue legitimate regulatory objectives.

How did Nepal sign the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade?

Agreement on TBT is one of the agreements within the World Trade Organization. The WTO was created with the aim of removing any form of barriers (both tariffs and non-tariffs) for international trade. Therefore, TBT, as one of its agreements, serves the function of taking out those product quality barriers.

The WTO Agreement on T BT entered into force in 1995 which was the conclusion of the Tokyo Round of Trade Negotiation in 1979.  During the accession process to the WTO, Nepal agreed with the checklist of the Working Party in April 2000. In addition to Trade in Goods, Trade in Services and Intellectual Property Rights, TBT agreement is one of the mandatory obligations of the WTO. Therefore, Nepal adopted the principle of the Agreement on TBT as one of the ingredients of the WTO accession package on 23^rd April 2004.

What is the mechanism for monitoring Technical Barriers to Trade in Nepal? 

 

The government of Nepal has designated Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) as a national enquiry point. Since its establishment, the section has been notifying and publishing various information regarding TBT that include; national and international notice of standards, technical regulation and conformity assessment procedures and other concerned information. Presently, in that respect are three technical officers specially assigned to regulate this part.  

What are the benefits of the TBT Agreement for Nepal?

The Agreement on TBT offers Nepal with sufficient rights to restrict low quality products from being imported. The standards and technical regulations set at the world class levels protect domestic consumers. In addition, it also avoids unnecessary barriers to imported goods that will benefit the national economy.

Side by side, the agreement promotes national exporters to meet international criteria that boost them to produce quality goods for export.

Further, it also protects exporters against unnecessary TBT-related barriers in foreign markets.

What are the hurdles in implementing the Agreement in TBT?

We have not been able to utilize the benefit of the TBT Agreement because of our weak technological development. The lack of sufficient infrastructure at the border has allowed low quality products in the domestic market. In addition, the private sector has a lack of sufficient understanding of TBT provisions and has not brought these issues to the notice of the government. As a result, we have not been able to export quality products to the foreign markets and low quality products are easily entering domestic market.

Are there any technical assistance to improve technical standards, credibility and conformity assessment in Nepal?

Least Developed Countries (LDCs) including Nepal are liable to receive technical assistance from rich WTO member countries. Wealthy countries provide advice and technical assistance and they shall give priority to the needs of the least-developed country members.

Nepal has received technical assistance from the European Union to enhance its TBT and Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS) related capacity. The International Trade Centre (ITC) has also supported identify non-tariff barriers for some products in the context of Nepal’s Trade Integration Strategy.  

What is the future strategy of Nepal to get maximum benefit from the Agreement on TBT?

The Government of Nepal has launched NTIS 2010 as one of its trade strategy for consecutive five years. One of the objectives of NTIS 2010 focuses to strengthen capacity of GoN to coordinate and manage Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) and Aid for Trade (AfT).

The Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) has already secured funding from WTO under the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) to manage TRTA and AfT to enhance TBT related capacities of the government. In addition, the government has planned to enhance monitoring TBT commitments under the support of Tier 1 funding mechanism of the EIF. 

Implementing Development Projects in Nepal

A development partner has to address Nepal’s heterogeneous society, tactful private sector and hierarchical civil service structure to successfully implement any projects.  

I have gone through variety of experience while implementing developing project at local, regional, central government level, as well as with private sector in Nepal. The special structure of Nepali society, political culture, civil service and the growing bureaucracy within it hold some implications for materializing any missions under foreign aid.  

As per my involvement in some projects under the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) I came to know that some projects achieved success while another remained their goal unattained within the given time.

Although the tasks I was involved with became successful, a huge effort was required to bear out the actions.

I met frequently people from local government—District Development Committee, Village Development Committee and Government Line Agencies--during implementing ‘Inclusive Development of the Economy Program (INCLUDE). The project was targeted at enhancing economic status of the poor and increasing their access to finance. I was monitoring and evaluation officer always tightening belts of my colleagues for acquiring project related information. At the district level, it became really easy to come in contact with the targeted local people. The local government authorities have good rapport with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) Farmers’ Groups (FGs), Trade Unions, and private beneficiaries.

There is always a chance of captivating benefit by few people in the rural areas. Some local elites, few educated ones and sometimes party cadres are mostly chosen for information gathering. I too arrived to select few of them as there was no other choice given. They were the lone knower of all the developmental activities in the region. In summation, they attend most of the trainings and know information about the local socioeconomic status. As a consequence, most development workers choose them. I was not an exception either.

Next, I worked with local CSOs, NGOs and FGs while implementing Capacity Building for BioTrade Project (CBBT). The project was jointly implemented by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and GIZ in Peru, Namibia and Nepal. GIZ supported private sectors including CSOs producing essential oil in Nepal. While working with CSOs and NGOs, I came to recognize that they’re really adept at mobilizing local people. Government line agencies have good relation with those CSOs and NGOs which is an asset.

In spite of their earnest bond with locals, there is a chance of only favoring their own clans. As a consequence, some backward communities, such as Dalits remained outside the benefit. In my project districts, a majority of Dalits couldn’t be mainstreamed. Indeed, Dalits are very hesitant in passing along with local elites and any new entrants in the hamlet.

In due course, I acted with most of the development partners and high level government officials of the ministries of Nepal during executing Supporting Nepal’s Implementation of its WTO Commitments and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (WTO/EIF-SP) project. The strategy was directed at improving export trade by capacitating GoN to implement its WTO commitment. Another component was effecting Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS 2010). By mobilizing Aid for Trade (AfT), and Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) through multilateral funding of the WTO under the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), the project demanded harnessing the effort of all the related ministries and development partners of Nepal.

So far, the project remained successful. It achieved its goal on time by drafting all the laws, conventions and policies. I worked hard to design a monitoring mechanism for the Government of Nepal (GoN) to monitor the implementation of its WTO commitments. Yet, I still doubt its furtherance. Although, together with my team, I constructed a robust mechanism and handed over it to the ministry.

However, during the enactment of the project, I came to encounter a number of hurdles. Particularly, the particular structure of civil service at times impeded smooth running of project activities. All the powers consolidated at the highest echelon of Nepal’s bureaucracy needed special attention at the top. Influencing secretaries and joint secretaries only pushed the operation forward. The appertaining vertical pyramid structure of public personnel didn’t let me execute activities at an officers’ level.  

Also, frequent transfer of the personnel often posed hurdles for project execution. The transferal triggered another teething troubles, such as, fading institutional memory. Recurrently, I encountered different faces on the same chair. That demanded repeated orientation efforts. In addition, feeble IT infrastructure in some of the ministries hindered regular communication with the GoN staffs. In fact, the nature of bureaucracy is accustomed of restricting the flow of information towards below. This is the area to be taken charge of.     

The atypical characteristic of Nepali society and public service needs special attention while implementing development projects in Nepal. Coming up to the aforementioned issue paves way for the success of any development charges.    

Nepal in Figures

A reflection in World Development Indicators shows that Nepal is on track of gradual progress. 

World Development Indicators 2014 delivers a com­pilation of pertinent, first-class, and globally comparable statistics on development and poverty. The indicators are synthesized under six themes--world view, people, environment, economy, states and mar­kets, and global links. Other sections comprises stories highlighting particular global, regional or country trends. The report portrays progress of every countries including Nepal against the backdrop of development indicators. The report compiles statistics from more than 200 countries through a concerted effort of partners including the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the International Monetary Fund, and the International Telecommunication Union.


Global poverty is reducing at faster rate. Nepal belongs to South Asia where half of the world's poor live. Growth is faster in this Asian region. As of 2012 Nepal has GDP US $ 18.96 Billion which is lowest in South Asia. However, it is on a constant rise. It means, despite all the odds, wealth is increasing in Nepal.  

GDP (current US$)

Data from World Bank

Over the years, per capita income is also increasing; however, not in a way as expected. Although GNI per capita is low in South Asian region, it is little bit higher than that of other low income countries. Per capita income reached to US $ 700 in 2012.

GNI per capita, Atlas method (current US$)

Data from World Bank

Foreign investment is crucial for Nepal's development. In fact, the low balance of payment and small reserve of foreign currency has left Nepal to seek support from foreign investors. Besides international Assistance (Aid) foreign investment is playing a crucial role for creating wealth in Nepal. So far, foreign investment was almost US $ 91 million in 2012 which was slightly less than in 2011. The following year has brought more FDI in the country.  

Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$)

Education sector has seen a remarkable progress. School enrollment in primary level was increased by 135% in 2013. This is almost close to attaining Millennium Development Goals.   

School enrollment, preprimary (% gross)

Data from World Bank

Owing to increased awareness, education and health facilities, Nepalese are living more than before. As a matter of fact, average age of a Nepali as of 2012 is 68 years. 

Life expectancy at birth, total (years)

Data from World Bank

The economic transaction of the country remained turbulent lately. It declined to almost nothing in 2010. Though, the remittance and tourism helped the economy make better saving that soared Balance of Payment (BoP).

Current account balance (BoP, current US$)

Data from World Bank

Betterment in aforementioned indicators is one of the good news for Nepal's economy. After a long duration of stalemate, something is good is slowly happening.