November 16: Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to maintain transparency in aid during the annual meeting of the International Aid Transparency Initiative’s (IATI) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) in Kathmandu from November 13 to…
November 16: Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery in collaboration with its Indian partner company handed over a Kobelco mini excavator (SK35SR-6) and one Hydraulic Rock Breaker to Mityal Community Development Agriculture Multipurpose Co-operative Ltd for charitable activities in…
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At the same time, publishing data to IATI allows development partners to meet their own commitments on transparency, and for civil society and the media to hold governments to accountable for the use of resources, the organisers said in a statement.</p> <p>Delivering his remarks to TAG members, Minister Khatiwada underscored the importance of partner countries and noted that this data is crucial to maximise the impact of all development resources and meet the country’s own development priorities.</p> <p>The statement said that international development cooperation is a key component of the overall development financing landscape in Nepal. In the fiscal year 2017-2018, over USD 1.5 billion of aid was disbursed in Nepal, and in recent years, aid has accounted for about 25 percent of the national budget annually.</p> <p>The National Planning Commission estimates that to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, aid flow to Nepal must double from 2016 levels.</p> <p>UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer and Rurik Marsden, chief of DFID Nepal, also attended the meeting, signaling strong support for IATI from the multi-lateral and development partner communities.</p> <p>Renaud Meyer noted in his opening remarks that ‘the success of IATI reflects its relevance as well as the consensus that accurate and transparent development data is critical for action at the country level’.</p> <p>Started as a ‘coalition of the willing’ of 14 development partners in 2008, IATI has now over 90 members and close to 900 publishers who have recognised the importance of high-quality funding data in support of sustainable development. More than 1.1 million development projects are now published and regularly updated according to the global reporting standard known as the IATI Standard.</p> <p>As Coordinator of the IATI Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme will continue to advocate for and support increased use of IATI data at the county level for maximum sustainable development and impactful responses to poverty and crises.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-16', 'modified' => '2018-11-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9216', 'image' => '20181116033312_yub raj khatiwada (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-16 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9437', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Japanese companies donate machineries to Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 16: Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery in collaboration with its Indian partner company handed over a Kobelco mini excavator (SK35SR-6) and one Hydraulic Rock Breaker to Mityal Community Development Agriculture Multipurpose Co-operative Ltd for charitable activities in Nepal.', 'content' => '<p>November 16: Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery in collaboration with its Indian partner company handed over a Kobelco mini excavator (SK35SR-6) and one Hydraulic Rock Breaker to Mityal Community Development Agriculture Multipurpose Co-operative Ltd for charitable activities in Nepal.</p> <p>Issuing a statement, Kobelco said that the heavy equipment were donated by Japanese companies Tohoku Kurosawa Kensetsu and Hashimoto Kenki.</p> <p>Masayuki Sato, who is the CEO of Tohoku Kurosawa Kensetsu, has been supporting for establishing kindergarten and water supply works in Nepal on donation basis since several years. For further contribution to the Nepali society, he and his company donated one unit of Kobelco mini excavator SK35SR-6 this time, reads the statement. In addition to the mini excavator, Hashimoto Kenki donated one unit of Hydraulic Rock Breaker to fit SK35SR-6 mini excavator.</p> <p>Kobelco Construction Machinery said it will cover transportation cost and customs duty for the heavy equipment.</p> <p>The machinery were handed over to Ok Baje, who has been active in social works in remote areas of Palpa and Mityal for the last 25 years.</p> <p>Presently, over 700 Kobelco excavators are working in Nepal, which are supported by Pooja Construction Nepal Pvt Ltd.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-16', 'modified' => '2018-11-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9211', 'image' => '20181116030753_Kobelco Machine Handover.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-16 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1062', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><br /> </strong></p> <p> <strong>By Sujan Dhungana/Ural Singh Misra</strong></p> <p> When it comes to sustainable development, Nepal has a rather rocky track record, from highs such as the establishment of our national parks, to lows such as the pitiful state of our environment, politics and even our ever fluctuating economy. The role of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation has been a bit different. HELVETAS has been working in Nepal since 1956 to promote self reliant and sustainable development among the disadvantaged population. HELVETAS’ very first international affiliation was with Nepal, and for over sixty years the organization has been working to help the underprivileged population obtain sustainable sources of income as well as train youths to acquire technical skills, provide clean sources of water to the rural population and probably the most important in the present context of Nepal - promote governance and peace.</p> <p> <span style="color:#000;"><strong>Education and Skills Development</strong></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000;"><strong><img alt="HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development " height="292" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_agriculture_traning(1).jpg" style="margin:0 10px 0 0;" width="595" /><br /> </strong></span></p> <p> HELVETAS has been working in the education and skills development sector in Nepal to reduce the number of unemployed or underemployed people in our nation. It has three major projects which focus on this particular area: ELAM - Informal Sector Enterprise Development and Employment Generation Program which was implemented to uplift the economic status of many families in central Terai so they could manage their own micro-businesses; Employment Fund which provides underprivileged youths with skills training to help them enter the job market and the Skill development and Employment for the Informal Sector program. HELVETAS has been constantly striving to help the rural informal economy by contributing to help maintain peace and good economic health of rural families.</p> <p> <strong>Environment and Climate</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS has been working towards land and water resource management, community forest preservation and practices for climate change adaptation. As it has many years of experience in these fields and implemented projects which further help conserve Nepal’s environment, HELVETAS has been going for long-term gains to Nepal. The ‘Community Practice in Schools for Learning Climate Change Adaptation’ has been initiated to teach students how to adapt to the ever changing environment and the “Effective Water Governance in the Asian Highlands’ project teaches locals to effectively manage their water supply. </p> <p> <strong>Water and Infrastructure</strong></p> <p> A lack of strong infrastructure has led to many problems in Nepal in the hilly region. It has hindered people’s access to clean water. In order to help relieve pressure on rural farmers in hilly regions the Local Infrastructure for Livelihood Improvement Program was introduced in 2004. This has helped improve food security in the hills and income of has farmers risen. The ‘Trail Bridge Support Unit’ of the Trail Bridge Sub-Sector Program has also helped people in rural areas tremendously. It has helped provide safe and reliable means of crossing rivers, giving people access to expanded markets and children access to better schools. The ‘Water Resource Management Program’ is being implemented with the purpose of increasing drinking water access for rural population and to simultaneously promote sanitation and hygiene.</p> <p> <strong>Rural Economy</strong></p> <p> <strong><img alt="HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_agriculture.jpg" style="margin:0 10px 0 0;" /><br /> </strong></p> <p> As we all know a majority of the population are based in rural areas, so it is vital that people in the rural economy have a stable economic condition. HELVETAS has been working with local government authorities to help increase agricultural productivity, improve technology and promote sustainable soil management. Coffee is traditionally seen as a “cash crop” by farmers mainly because it fetches good price in the market. “Coffee Promotion Program” takes advantage of this and focuses on farmers who are cash deprived and helps with maintaining a regular source of income for those farmers. In order to promote food security, increased income and production technology the ‘Sustainable Soil Management Program’ was introduced in 2001 and is set to end in 2014. Going hand–in-hand with this project is the ‘Riverbed Farming Project’ which helps locals with their livelihoods. Seeing a huge positive impact, the organization plans to continue this project for a few more years, provided that funding is adequate.</p> <p> <strong>Governance and Peace</strong></p> <p> Arguably the thing people of Nepal want most is peace. If there was ever a time for anyone of the international community to come and help our poor nation, it is now. The most important aspect of democracy is the rule of the people, and if that is lost, we would end up with a nation of power-hungry dictators. A majority of the people must be satisfied with what is happening. Currently only minorities are happy and satisfied. HELVETAS feels that a crucial block of democracy is the interrelationship between the people, the state and local government bodies. The organization works in Nepal to stop exclusion and inequalities amongst the people whether they are based on gender, race, caste or even religion. The government of Japan through its Japanese Social Development Fund has awarded a USD 1.9 million grant to the Partnership for Transparency Fund to support independent monitoring of development projects by the World Bank in Nepal. As over 1,000 people leave Nepal every day to be migrant workers mainly in the Middle East and South-East-Asia, it is vital that they remain safe, which is why the ‘Safer Migration Project’ was initiated with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In 1997 HELVETAS initiated the ‘Linking Local Initiatives to New Know-How’ in the mid and far-western regions of Nepal to help deprived communities with issues that adversely affected their economic status. This was done by way of income generation through cash crop production, skill development and social empowerment. This project has now been renamed ‘Linking Smallholders with Local Institutions and Markets’.</p> <p> <strong><br /> </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <strong>‘HELVETAS has been driving for long-term gains to Nepal’</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS is a politically and religiously independent association, supported by 96,551 members, patrons and 12 volunteer-based regional groups in Switzerland. It is active in more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Southern Caucasus. HELVETAS came to Nepal in 1956 and now cooperates with many technical and social organizations in all 75 districts across the country.</p> <p> <img alt="Shiva_Prasad_Aryal, HELVETAS_Swiss_Intercooperation" height="282" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_intercooperation_shiva_prasad_country_director.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 0 10px;" width="200" /></p> <p> <strong>How do you evaluate your organization’s role in maintaining the bilateral relationship between Nepal and Switzerland?</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS is not a donor agency; it is more of an implementing agency. However, we have our ‘Own Fund’ which is created and donated by our members in Switzerland. Most of the funds to conduct our programmes in the many nations come from our major donors. At present, 50 percent of project funding to the Nepal programme comes from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), about 25 percent comes from DFID and other funding comes from European Union (EU) and The World Bank. </p> <p> <strong>How has the bleak global macro-economic situation affected the support being provided to Nepal by Swiss government?</strong></p> <p> So far Switzerland seems to be lucky because there has not been any considerable impact in Swiss economy. Also the support that Swiss government provides to other nations is not so much affected. In the case of Nepal, the assistance by Swiss government is increasing annually and it is still trying hard to increase the assistance. </p> <p> <strong>Employment Fund has been one of the major projects of HELVETAS in Nepal since 2007. What are the achievements so far? How satisfied are you from this?</strong></p> <p> In fact, we are quite satisfied with the success of Employment Fund. When I joined HELVETAS in 2009, I used to doubt people when they talked about the employment rate and also the income rate of the training programme graduates under this project. But, only when I visited the field was I convinced with the statistical report. At present, we have an average employment rate of 70 percent from among our training graduates with average monthly income of Rs 4,600. With this, all our donors and even the Nepali government have appreciated the success of the project. Moreover, World Bank has even acknowledged the Employment Fund approach in a number of its other projects as well.</p> <p> <strong>How is the Employment Fund regulated? What are its working principles?</strong></p> <p> As I have mentioned, Employment Fund is funded by three donors and we are responsible for the overall management, control and supervision according to the need of the Fund. Furthermore, the Team Leader of the project is a HELVETAS employee who looks after the day-to-day activities of the project and submits us periodical reports. Our project team also makes some periodical visits to the field and discusses with stakeholders on how things are moving. In order to sum up overall progress of the project, we hold steering committee meeting where we discuss the challenges and gains made throughout the period. We also conduct our internal audit and the final reports are submitted to our donors as well as to our headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.</p> <p> <strong>What are the plans for the future?</strong></p> <p> Currently, we have no plan to launch a new project. We shall instead focus on implementation of our running projects. </p> <p> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-07', 'modified' => '2013-07-15', 'keywords' => 'HELVETAS, development partner, swiss, new business age', 'description' => 'HELVETAS has been working in Nepal since 1956 to promote self reliant and sustainable development among the disadvantaged population.', 'sortorder' => '933', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '990', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Investment Friendly Environment Is Needed To Attract Foreign Investors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Alf Arne Ramslien</strong></address> <address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Ambassador</strong></address> <address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">The Royal Norwegian Embassy, Nepal</strong></address> <p> <strong>Excerpts:</strong></p> <p> <strong>How has your experience in Nepal been?</strong></p> <p> I have been very delighted by coming to Nepal and have felt much welcomed. Coming to Nepal has been a very special experience and I regard Nepalis second only to Norwegians personally. I have spent over 20 years in this sub continent and I really appreciate Nepali people.</p> <p> <strong>Nepal’s political situation is in transition period. What are your comments on this?</strong></p> <p> I am very much pleased that political parties are slowly moving ahead. I believe that we should have great respect for complexity of things. It has also been recognized that Nepal’s peace process stands to be one of the most successful peace processes ever in the world. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that not a single bullet has been fired after the peace process. The important thing is that the Maoist commanders are now being integrated in the Nepali Army. These factors show that Nepal’s politics is moving to a brighter side.</p> <p> <strong>So, how do you assess Nepal’s economic situation?</strong></p> <p> We have to regret the fact that Nepal’s potential for economic development has not been tapped. Nepal has tremendous potential, basically linked to the hydropower energy areas. Hydropower is, in fact, the backbone of Nepal’s future, both socially and economically. Only 0.4 percent of the total commercial resources of hydropower have been tapped properly. The irony is that over 100 years have been spent in harnessing only 0.4 percent of the total capacity.</p> <p> <strong>Hydropower is one of the areas Norwegian government has been focusing on in Nepal. What is your assessment of effectiveness of such aid?</strong></p> <p> It is a fact that we have kept hydropower as our top agenda here in Nepal and it is because the sector has core potential in the country. We are supporting the government here in building up the competence. The largest percent of hydropower related human resources in Nepal are educated in Norway. Similarly, we have extensive institutional cooperation between institutions related to electricity. In order to redefine and grasp the potentiality of different river sources, regarding the generation of electricity, various researches and programmes are being initiated by Norway. We also have a policy that supports the government in selling up transmission lines. For instance, we have invested in the transmission line from Upper Tamakoshi to Kathmandu, which is still an ongoing process. However, we are hoping to have a good development of investment-friendly environment in Nepal, so that foreign investors are attracted. Moreover, SN Power, a Norwegian company, is here in Nepal to invest in hydro and dialogue with the government is going on. They have shown keen interest in Tamakoshi-3 project.</p> <p> <strong>What reasons do you find behind Nepal’s inability to meet its potentiality in energy?</strong></p> <p> The reason to be highlighted is the lack of proper investment environment for the private sector in the past. There has been no direct investment from government itself to invest a huge amount in the energy sector. However, it is a good thing that now the investment in energy sector has been made open for the private sector. The next thing required is a reform in the responsible institutions. NEA, being a largest body, should be reformed and it has to be effective as the responsible authority.</p> <p> <strong>What is the annual investment of Norway in Nepal?</strong></p> <p> Investors are the private companies like SN Power. We are here to facilitate the people through grant basis. We are here to help stimulating processes and projects in coordination with the government. The budget spent is around 20 million US dollar. However, this is not the investment.</p> <p> <strong>What are the other concerned areas of Norway in Nepal, besides energy?</strong></p> <p> We pay high attention to the education sector of Nepal. We conduct various educational reform programmes. I would also personally give tribute to the educational success that Nepal has achieved. The whole world has recognized the achievement. According to the figure, almost 95 percent of the children are now attending school in Nepal. Beside this, good governance is also one of our core areas.</p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-05-22', 'modified' => '2013-05-22', 'keywords' => 'Investment Friendly Environment Is Needed To Attract Foreign Investors', 'description' => 'I have been very delighted by coming to Nepal and have felt much welcomed. Coming to Nepal has been a very special experience and I regard Nepalis second only to Norwegians personally. I have spent over 20 years in this sub continent and I really appreciate Nepali people.', 'sortorder' => '867', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '986', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Enhancing Livelihood The NEAT Way', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <span style="font-size: 12px;">When the landless and marginalised communities did not have neither land nor crops in their farmland, they probably did not have other option than blaming their ‘bad fortune.’ USAID Nepal’s project, named Nepal Economic, Agriculture, and Trade (NEAT), has become a partner in ensuring food security and increasing financial access in Banke and Bardiya districts. </span></p> <p> With the support of the project, farmers across 14 districts now have different crops that are not only ensuring the food security of small farmers but also being a handsome source of income.</p> <p> Farmers have now gained skills, knowledge and access to the market. According to Phillip C Broughton, Chief of Party of the NEAT, when these conditions take place the impact of a project is there to stay. However, Hari Lal Dhakal, farmer of Vaishashur of Deudakala VDC, is not confident regarding the economic future of farmers like him, once the project comes to an end. </p> <p> The project, which began on December 2010, has been working in order to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, increase food security and improve people’s lives in Nepal. According to the NEAT, the project’s objective to enhance economic opportunities and food security is divided into strengthening economic policies, increasing competitiveness of selected sector, enhancing food security and increasing access to microfinance services. </p> <p> <strong>Food Security</strong></p> <p> The NEAT has been working with disadvantaged households that have been facing food insecurity. Though some of the donor driven projects seem to have fuelled dependency syndrome on recipients, NEAT has worked with a model to make farmers independent. According to USAID, the NEAT has enrolled farmers in phases, reducing the support on each phase and, therefore, making farmers self dependent with the knowledge, skills and market knowhow.</p> <p> Since the NEAT began intervening farmers across several districts, they have adopted profit making crops instead of the traditional crops they were habituated. Tharu community of Motipur VDC in Bardiya is now involved in vegetables farming such as cabbage, cauliflower and cucumber, along with staple crops like paddy and wheat. Women in the community are now not only financially capable but also socially active. Radhika Chaudhary, a local farmer says, “We are now able to express our voice and actively participating in the self help groups.” Most of the households living in the area were dependent on either subsistence farming of staple food crops or labour work. </p> <p> In the Motipur village, farmers now are making around Rs 100,000 to 150,000 per year depending upon the size of farmlands. Rajendra Sahu, Food Security Manager of the NEAT, said that one person makes Rs 30,000 in a season on average from cauliflower and Rs 40,000 from cucumbers in an area of three katthas of land. </p> <p> With the increased income, Jagat Pyari, one of the exemplary farmers of Deudakala VDC, has added five katthas of land with the income made from her farmland. Along with 1.5 bighas of land of her own, she is also leasing two bighas of land and cultivating vegetables and cucumber along with crops like paddy and maize. With the increasing income level, farmers have also started sending children to schools. There are around 50 landless households who now farm either leasing or owning the land.. </p> <p> Similarly, in Vaishasur village, onion block of Deudakala VDC there are 17 agricultural groups. In these groups, 278 members are female and the remaining 104 are males. They farm onion, beans, cucumber and cauliflower. According to Kewal Singh Chaudhary, Field Technician, every group is involved in cultivation of four crops. </p> <p> Bhim Bahadur Khatri, a returnee migrant worker of Saudi Arabia now regrets going abroad where he could not earn a good income. But now, working in his farmland, is making Rs 50,000 every six months and is building a house for his family. He says that he did not even make Rs 100,000 in three years working in Saudi Arabia. “I will never go abroad. When I am happy earning from home, why would I go there?” he said.</p> <p> Although the agricultural policies prescribed by donors are said to be failing in Nepal. The attempt made by the NEAT project seems fruitful so far. Beneficiaries of the project, low scale farmers in Bardia and Banke district, are happy that NEAT was there to provide them support and lead them to be self sustaining on food and financial security.</p> <p> According to the USAID, so far 71,342 households have benefitted from the USAID NEAT. Similarly, farmers’ sales have increased by US $ 85.44 million within one year working with NEAT. Likewise, 9,212 hectares lands are under improved management practices across the country. The NEAT also provided food security productivity trainings to local farmers and also linked food security farmers with input suppliers, collection centres, traders and micro finance institutions. Moreover, the project also equipped farmers with irrigation facilities and supplied tools and labours to complete the irrigation schemes. According to the official records of the NEAT, 1,203 irrigation systems were installed covering 2,567 hectares.</p> <p> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Financial Services</strong></p> <p> Nepal is said to have around 80 percent of its population away from access to formal financial services. However, with the launching of cashless mobile banking services, people in rural areas with access to mobile telephony can now enjoy the banking services from their mobile phones. These services were launched after NEAT organized a summit in Kathmandu to address this issue. </p> <p> Ramesh Kumar Chaudhary, resident of Thakurdwara VDC of Bardiya, is working as an agent of Laxmi Bank’s Hello Paisa initiative. He now has 160 customers from the village and registers a daily transaction of up to Rs 200,000. He is satisfied to see happy consumers who send and receive money from cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Nepalgunj. Before he provided mobile banking services, locals had to go to Bhurigaun, which is about 25 kilometres far away from the village.</p> <p> Chaudhary is the first agent in the area. He says that a person is allowed to make a transaction of Rs 50,000 per day but only up to a limit of Rs 500,000 , as he is only given authority of that limit. Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, a customer, says that the availability of Hello Paisa agent in the village has helped him save time and cost to travel all the way to a nearest bank. “In that time, I can indulge in my own business,” said Bhattarai.</p> <p> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Lentils enhance income sources</strong></p> <p> Lentil farming under the competitiveness element of the NEAT has helped in increasing the yield of lentil crops by more than 50 per cent over baseline, according to the NEAT. Nepali lentil is finding its market in Bangladesh. Broughton says that the NEAT has also worked on bridging the gap between Nepali sellers and Bangladeshi buyers. </p> <p> According to Dharma Prasad Pandey, Senior Programme Officer of FORWARD , there are 18 groups operating alone in Sanoshree VDC in lentil farming and a few more will be formed soon. He revealed that NEAT provided an assistance of Rs 50 million to the FORWARD.</p> <p> Farmers think that they have now skills to be efficient and produce more. The productivity has increased by up to 35 per cent. Also, they are getting better prices for their products mainly because of the skills they have gained for grading of lentil grains and also because the collection centre pays a good price to them. In the past, farmers used to take their products to nearby markets such as Kohalpur but now buyers come to the village to purchase the production.</p> <p> </p> <p> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>LEADER SPEAK</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p> <img alt="Phillip C. Broughton, Development Partner" height="253" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_vol3_14_neat_phillip.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 0 0;" width="200" /><strong>‘We had several noteworthy <span style="font-size: 12px;">accomplishments in all project areas’</span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> <strong><em><br /> </em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>- Phillip C. Broughton</em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>Chief of Party, USAID Nepal Economic, </em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>Agriculture and Trade (NEAT) Activity</em></strong></p> <p> <span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /> </span></p> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <div> <strong>NEAT project is almost coming to an end. How do you evaluate the success of the project?</strong></div> <div> NEAT is a broad project that aims to increase economic opportunities and enhance food security. We work in different sectors including agriculture, microfinance, and policy. For each of the components of NEAT, there are different indicators of success. In the agriculture component, we are looking to sustainably improve food security and resilience and increase income and competitiveness. In the microfinance component we are looking at enhancing access to financial services for disadvantaged populations and increasing the incomes of micro-entrepreneurs. We especially want to see more people having access to financial services in the rural area. Under our policy component, we are working with both the public and private sectors to improve the business and policy environment. At the policy level we are supporting improvements in trade, investment, and agriculture. In addition, we support fiscal policy improvements to improve the government’s ability to finance its budget.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Among various components which one do you think was the most successful one?</strong></div> <div> Well, I don’t think one is more successful than the others. This project is relatively short in nature, 32 months. Even though it is short, we have had great many accomplishments in all project areas. For example agriculture sales of project beneficiaries are significantly up over baseline figures. The number of rural households with access to financial services is increasing and in many cases through innovative outreach strategies such as mobile banking. And on the policy front, we have worked with the government and the private sector on more 35 different policies, 6 of which have already been implemented and many more are ready to be implemented once the new government is in place. We are very pleased with our progress and, even though this project is short, it is part of USAID’s long term strategy so our successful work will continue.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Trade is also one of the components of the NEAT. What are the achievements on this front?</strong></div> <div> In the trade area, we work on different levels – we have supported government and the private sector in analyzing trade issues with India and China, to identify issues that should be taken to the negotiating table to improve Nepal’s trading environment. We’ve supported government to look at transit issues given the cost of transporting cargo in and out of Nepal, and we’ve supported capacity building within the government related to trade, including on trade analysis and negotiation. At the operational level, we are helping to improve competitiveness and market access for tea, ginger and lentil. For example, with lentil, Bangladesh is the primary market. We are identifying ways to strengthen the relationship between Nepali sellers and Bangladeshi buyers. And we are also analyzing alternative markets so that Nepal’s lentil sector is not so dependent on Bangladesh.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>How do you view the sustainability of these projects?</strong></div> <div> Sustainability is a key objective for us in all project areas. For example, under our food security component we work with over 28,000 beneficiaries. We provide training over 4 to 5 crop cycles, we help establish channels for high quality inputs, and we facilitate market access. 94 per cent of project beneficiaries said they now have access to high quality inputs, up from 21 per cent before the project started. 92 per cent of project beneficiaries are confident they have a market to sell their products in, up from just 50 per cent before the project started. Once project beneficiaries have skills and continuing access to inputs and markets, these won’t just go away. These are key factors in the sustainability of our food security work. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>How long would it take to multiply the good impacts of NEAT to reach to the extent of import substitution? </strong></div> <div> Around 70 per cent of onions consumed in Nepal are imported from India. Given the market potential for Nepali grown onions, this season NEAT food security beneficiaries grew onions on more that 700 hectares of land and they have made very good income. We train farmers how to identify market opportunities. With import substitution, if there is opportunity to make money, farmers are going to do that. This is happening. We see it with onion and we see it with other commodities such as maize for the feed business. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A new project KISAN is being launched soon by USAID. How will this project give continuity to the activities of NEAT?</strong></div> <div> KISAN is working in many of the same districts as NEAT. They started just a few weeks ago yet we have already had several information sharing meetings. It is very important to USAID, NEAT, and KISAN that KISAN takes advantage of the experience gained by previous USAID projects and activities such as NEAT, NFRP, and EIG as well as other donor, government and private sector initiatives. </div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-05-21', 'modified' => '2013-05-21', 'keywords' => 'Enhancing Livelihood The NEAT Way, Development Partner, New Business Age', 'description' => 'With the support of USAID NEAT, farmers across 14 districts now have different crops that are not only ensuring the food security of small farmers but also being a handsome source of income.', 'sortorder' => '863', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '938', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'The Great Himalaya Trail: Once Is Not Enough', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <img alt="" height="367" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_april2013(1).jpg" width="580" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), one of the longest and highest trekking trails of the world, within two years of its opening, has grabbed attention from around the world. The trail is known as one of the top 20 adventure destinations by the National Geographic Adventure magazine, thanks to the successful marketing and branding of the trail.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> The Great Himalaya Trail Development Programme (GHTDP), a two-year programme, has become one of the most popular programmes of tourism development in Nepal. The GHTDP is being implemented by the Nepali Government with technical support of SNV and funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID.) It is being monitored by NGOs and host communities to ensure that GHTDP is living to meet the goals of responsible tourism at its best. Other partners of the programmes are Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> SNV has taken up the role of advisor to successfully implement the GHTDP. Its role in the project is to provide technical advice and capacity building support to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the GHTDP Steering Committee. The programme is funded by the UKAID.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Branding the GHT</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> According to Mim Hamal, GHTDP Team Leader, marketing has been mostly done through the website, newsletters and optimum use of the social media. Participation in travel fairs such as ITB, WTM and travel fairs organised by NTB and TAAN and familiarisation. The trail has also been listed as a prime product by Hauser Exkursionen, a German tour operator, in its catalogue and website. Hamal is optimistic and thinks that the attention the trail is getting (as one of the best adventure trekking trail to stroll around the majestic mountains of the Himalayas) will attract tourists from all over the world.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> According to Hamal, who is also SNV Senior Advisor, the trail is divided into ten connecting treks of two to three weeks long treks each. He stated that each section is being branded with the unique selling points. This opens up the opportunity for tourist to come repeatedly to Nepal to complete the trail. “This is the product that fulfils the Nepali tourism slogan: once is not enough,” said Hamal.</p> <div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Prospects</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mim Hamal expressed the possibility for the trail to be expanded up to 4500 kilometres. “Countries like Afghanistan and China are interested in extending the trail into their territories,” he revealed. Currently, the GHT is 1700 kilometres long.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The trail, that began as a pilot testing in 2009/10 from Humla and Dolpa, has now touched 16 districts in the Himalayan region. The GHT starts in Taplejung district and ends in Humla and Darchula, in the Far West of Nepal, close to the Indian and the Chinese border. The trail connects popular treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions with exotic and virgin tourist destinations in the Eastern and Western Nepal. The GHT takes the travellers to a fascinating vista of mountains and green forest, along with rustic culture and livelihood of mountain people.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Trekkers have the option to choose from two routes: one passes through the average altitude of 4000 to 5000 metres, the other remains mostly below 4000 metres. The upper route is considered quite challenging but promises breathtaking views of the mountains up-close, while the lower trail takes one to the culturally rich villages in the remote mountains of Nepal. This lower trail also allows the traveller to enjoy the biodiversity of the route. The GHT is not only for foreigner adventure seekers, this could also be the perfect trekking destination for Nepali people wanting to travel through the majestic mountains of the country.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Impact on Livelihood</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The GHT has not only brought tourists to the remote mountains but also development opportunities, employment and possibility of improving livelihoods. Hamal states that the awareness programmes carried out in the route have changed the way people treat tourists, “Earlier, people used to offer beer to tourists in the early morning. These days they offer treated and filtered water for drinking.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Similarly, the cooking, guiding, porter and handicraft, lodge management and housekeeping trainings among others provided by the GHTDP have secured self employment for local people. Tourist flow has also opened up market for their agro products, skills and locally made products. The opening of the GHT has also contributed to the building of seven suspension and temporary bridges by the GHTDP. These bridges are not only used by trekkers but also have eased transportation for local people, directly benefiting them. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Bottlenecks</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However, Hamal states that the government has not yet finalised the official route of the GHT. He says that the official route for the endorsement by the cabinet was submitted around a year ago but the cabinet has not endorsed it so far. He also complained about the lack of tourism policies. Moreover, the government does not give a visa for more than 90 days. He demands the extension of this permit for at least two to three years in order for travellers to complete the entire route. Hamal also believes that the current charge for getting a trekking route permit that is as high as US $ 10,000 must be reduced.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Inductive Benefits</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Other infrastructure development, such as micro hydropower in Pathivara, has been initiated. Wi-Fi connectivity is being established targeting tourists coming to the trail. Similarly, the GHT has also provided solar panels for lighting facilities to 40 households in Barpak in Gorkha.Hamal claimed that there are around 100 travel companies </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> operating in the GHT. These companies are also given training courses on sustainable and eco-tourism promotion of the route.</div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">‘The GHT Will Play a Vital Role in Improving the Overall Tourism Scenario’</span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><br /> </span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <img alt="" height="273" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_mim_april2013.jpg" width="200" /></div> <div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">Mim Hamal</span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">GHTDP Team Leader</span></strong></div> <div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">and SNV Senior Advisor</span></strong></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Excerpts:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>What was the idea behind the development of Great Himalayan Trail (GHT)?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The idea behind the development of the Great Himalaya Trail was to promote remote destinations that have not been explored so far. We foresaw that GHT has a huge potential in providing a significant boost to Nepal’s tourism industry and associated support sectors. We estimated that it could help channel tourist and pro-poor tourism investments to less visited and under-developed districts, thereby spreading tourism benefits more widely and inclusively among impoverished mountain communities. And, I believe that we have been successful in achieving that to an extent. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>The trail is a remarkable adventure package in Nepal. How do you think this trail alone will help to promote other trails and the overall tourism in Nepal?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Trekking and mountaineering has the largest international market when it comes to tourism products in Nepal. And, as you say it yourself, that this is a remarkable adventure package, it will most certainly play a vital role in improving the overall tourism scenario in Nepal by attracting those segment of tourists who are in pursuit of a new tourism product who want to explore newer, off-beat-track destinations. This trail will provide a sublet to other smaller, side trails which trekkers are not yet aware of, thereby also promoting other smaller trails</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> .</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>How has the GHT helped in enhancement of livelihood of people living along the trekking trail?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Rather than saying just GHT or SNV, I must also highlight the roles played by the DDC, local NGOs and the local people themselves; the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), who is funding GHTDP – their role is equally important in enhancing the livelihoods of people. With help from these actors, we have identified the needs of people living along the trail and have provided leadership trainings, cook, guide, porter, lodge management, house-keeping, handicraft trainings. We have also invested in infrastructure development – building bridges, micro-hydro extensions, providing solar electrifications, drinking water, investing in trail maintenance and waste management. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On the other hand, we are marketing and promoting these destinations (in the European and American markets) so that there is increase of tourist inflow in these areas. All these activities and involvement is expected to benefit the local mass in some way or the other, most definitely in improving their livelihood.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>SNV’s one of the targets is pro poor sustainable tourism. How do you evaluate Nepal’s progress in this direction?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I can’t speak on behalf of Nepal’s progress overall because there are plenty of players in pro-poor sustainable tourism and I am not the right person to judge others’ progress. But for SNV, I would say we have made good progress with projects like TRPAP, MAST-Nepal in the past, and GHTDP and HITT in the present. All were/are focused on pro-poor sustainable tourism. We were innovative. We are thinking out of the box.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We started with sustainable market projects, which were really about bringing tourism benefits more equally - in particular to the remote and impoverished mountain districts - providing for new business and employment opportunities, and which has also been declared one of the priorities of the Government of Nepal. Our progress has been good and fulfilling. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>How has SNV recognized and incorporated the role of the private sector in tourism?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The private sector has a very important role to play in carrying out any development project. We recognise the importance of their involvement which is why along with having an agreement with the Government of Nepal, and local capacity builders; we also have an agreement with TAAN, Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NGCCI) at the central level and District Chamber of Commerce at the local level. This cooperation is necessary to carry out work smoothly. Working in this manner has turned out to be a really positive process. We are all committed to the same objective, which is striving towards poverty reduction in the country, and we all want to make this work.</div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-04-17', 'modified' => '2013-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => 'The trail is known as one of the top 20 adventure destinations by the National Geographic Adventure magazine.', 'sortorder' => '819', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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At the same time, publishing data to IATI allows development partners to meet their own commitments on transparency, and for civil society and the media to hold governments to accountable for the use of resources, the organisers said in a statement.</p> <p>Delivering his remarks to TAG members, Minister Khatiwada underscored the importance of partner countries and noted that this data is crucial to maximise the impact of all development resources and meet the country’s own development priorities.</p> <p>The statement said that international development cooperation is a key component of the overall development financing landscape in Nepal. In the fiscal year 2017-2018, over USD 1.5 billion of aid was disbursed in Nepal, and in recent years, aid has accounted for about 25 percent of the national budget annually.</p> <p>The National Planning Commission estimates that to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, aid flow to Nepal must double from 2016 levels.</p> <p>UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer and Rurik Marsden, chief of DFID Nepal, also attended the meeting, signaling strong support for IATI from the multi-lateral and development partner communities.</p> <p>Renaud Meyer noted in his opening remarks that ‘the success of IATI reflects its relevance as well as the consensus that accurate and transparent development data is critical for action at the country level’.</p> <p>Started as a ‘coalition of the willing’ of 14 development partners in 2008, IATI has now over 90 members and close to 900 publishers who have recognised the importance of high-quality funding data in support of sustainable development. More than 1.1 million development projects are now published and regularly updated according to the global reporting standard known as the IATI Standard.</p> <p>As Coordinator of the IATI Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme will continue to advocate for and support increased use of IATI data at the county level for maximum sustainable development and impactful responses to poverty and crises.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-16', 'modified' => '2018-11-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9216', 'image' => '20181116033312_yub raj khatiwada (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-16 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9437', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Japanese companies donate machineries to Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 16: Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery in collaboration with its Indian partner company handed over a Kobelco mini excavator (SK35SR-6) and one Hydraulic Rock Breaker to Mityal Community Development Agriculture Multipurpose Co-operative Ltd for charitable activities in Nepal.', 'content' => '<p>November 16: Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery in collaboration with its Indian partner company handed over a Kobelco mini excavator (SK35SR-6) and one Hydraulic Rock Breaker to Mityal Community Development Agriculture Multipurpose Co-operative Ltd for charitable activities in Nepal.</p> <p>Issuing a statement, Kobelco said that the heavy equipment were donated by Japanese companies Tohoku Kurosawa Kensetsu and Hashimoto Kenki.</p> <p>Masayuki Sato, who is the CEO of Tohoku Kurosawa Kensetsu, has been supporting for establishing kindergarten and water supply works in Nepal on donation basis since several years. For further contribution to the Nepali society, he and his company donated one unit of Kobelco mini excavator SK35SR-6 this time, reads the statement. In addition to the mini excavator, Hashimoto Kenki donated one unit of Hydraulic Rock Breaker to fit SK35SR-6 mini excavator.</p> <p>Kobelco Construction Machinery said it will cover transportation cost and customs duty for the heavy equipment.</p> <p>The machinery were handed over to Ok Baje, who has been active in social works in remote areas of Palpa and Mityal for the last 25 years.</p> <p>Presently, over 700 Kobelco excavators are working in Nepal, which are supported by Pooja Construction Nepal Pvt Ltd.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-16', 'modified' => '2018-11-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9211', 'image' => '20181116030753_Kobelco Machine Handover.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-16 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1062', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><br /> </strong></p> <p> <strong>By Sujan Dhungana/Ural Singh Misra</strong></p> <p> When it comes to sustainable development, Nepal has a rather rocky track record, from highs such as the establishment of our national parks, to lows such as the pitiful state of our environment, politics and even our ever fluctuating economy. The role of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation has been a bit different. HELVETAS has been working in Nepal since 1956 to promote self reliant and sustainable development among the disadvantaged population. HELVETAS’ very first international affiliation was with Nepal, and for over sixty years the organization has been working to help the underprivileged population obtain sustainable sources of income as well as train youths to acquire technical skills, provide clean sources of water to the rural population and probably the most important in the present context of Nepal - promote governance and peace.</p> <p> <span style="color:#000;"><strong>Education and Skills Development</strong></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000;"><strong><img alt="HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development " height="292" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_agriculture_traning(1).jpg" style="margin:0 10px 0 0;" width="595" /><br /> </strong></span></p> <p> HELVETAS has been working in the education and skills development sector in Nepal to reduce the number of unemployed or underemployed people in our nation. It has three major projects which focus on this particular area: ELAM - Informal Sector Enterprise Development and Employment Generation Program which was implemented to uplift the economic status of many families in central Terai so they could manage their own micro-businesses; Employment Fund which provides underprivileged youths with skills training to help them enter the job market and the Skill development and Employment for the Informal Sector program. HELVETAS has been constantly striving to help the rural informal economy by contributing to help maintain peace and good economic health of rural families.</p> <p> <strong>Environment and Climate</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS has been working towards land and water resource management, community forest preservation and practices for climate change adaptation. As it has many years of experience in these fields and implemented projects which further help conserve Nepal’s environment, HELVETAS has been going for long-term gains to Nepal. The ‘Community Practice in Schools for Learning Climate Change Adaptation’ has been initiated to teach students how to adapt to the ever changing environment and the “Effective Water Governance in the Asian Highlands’ project teaches locals to effectively manage their water supply. </p> <p> <strong>Water and Infrastructure</strong></p> <p> A lack of strong infrastructure has led to many problems in Nepal in the hilly region. It has hindered people’s access to clean water. In order to help relieve pressure on rural farmers in hilly regions the Local Infrastructure for Livelihood Improvement Program was introduced in 2004. This has helped improve food security in the hills and income of has farmers risen. The ‘Trail Bridge Support Unit’ of the Trail Bridge Sub-Sector Program has also helped people in rural areas tremendously. It has helped provide safe and reliable means of crossing rivers, giving people access to expanded markets and children access to better schools. The ‘Water Resource Management Program’ is being implemented with the purpose of increasing drinking water access for rural population and to simultaneously promote sanitation and hygiene.</p> <p> <strong>Rural Economy</strong></p> <p> <strong><img alt="HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_agriculture.jpg" style="margin:0 10px 0 0;" /><br /> </strong></p> <p> As we all know a majority of the population are based in rural areas, so it is vital that people in the rural economy have a stable economic condition. HELVETAS has been working with local government authorities to help increase agricultural productivity, improve technology and promote sustainable soil management. Coffee is traditionally seen as a “cash crop” by farmers mainly because it fetches good price in the market. “Coffee Promotion Program” takes advantage of this and focuses on farmers who are cash deprived and helps with maintaining a regular source of income for those farmers. In order to promote food security, increased income and production technology the ‘Sustainable Soil Management Program’ was introduced in 2001 and is set to end in 2014. Going hand–in-hand with this project is the ‘Riverbed Farming Project’ which helps locals with their livelihoods. Seeing a huge positive impact, the organization plans to continue this project for a few more years, provided that funding is adequate.</p> <p> <strong>Governance and Peace</strong></p> <p> Arguably the thing people of Nepal want most is peace. If there was ever a time for anyone of the international community to come and help our poor nation, it is now. The most important aspect of democracy is the rule of the people, and if that is lost, we would end up with a nation of power-hungry dictators. A majority of the people must be satisfied with what is happening. Currently only minorities are happy and satisfied. HELVETAS feels that a crucial block of democracy is the interrelationship between the people, the state and local government bodies. The organization works in Nepal to stop exclusion and inequalities amongst the people whether they are based on gender, race, caste or even religion. The government of Japan through its Japanese Social Development Fund has awarded a USD 1.9 million grant to the Partnership for Transparency Fund to support independent monitoring of development projects by the World Bank in Nepal. As over 1,000 people leave Nepal every day to be migrant workers mainly in the Middle East and South-East-Asia, it is vital that they remain safe, which is why the ‘Safer Migration Project’ was initiated with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In 1997 HELVETAS initiated the ‘Linking Local Initiatives to New Know-How’ in the mid and far-western regions of Nepal to help deprived communities with issues that adversely affected their economic status. This was done by way of income generation through cash crop production, skill development and social empowerment. This project has now been renamed ‘Linking Smallholders with Local Institutions and Markets’.</p> <p> <strong><br /> </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <strong>‘HELVETAS has been driving for long-term gains to Nepal’</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS is a politically and religiously independent association, supported by 96,551 members, patrons and 12 volunteer-based regional groups in Switzerland. It is active in more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Southern Caucasus. HELVETAS came to Nepal in 1956 and now cooperates with many technical and social organizations in all 75 districts across the country.</p> <p> <img alt="Shiva_Prasad_Aryal, HELVETAS_Swiss_Intercooperation" height="282" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_intercooperation_shiva_prasad_country_director.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 0 10px;" width="200" /></p> <p> <strong>How do you evaluate your organization’s role in maintaining the bilateral relationship between Nepal and Switzerland?</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS is not a donor agency; it is more of an implementing agency. However, we have our ‘Own Fund’ which is created and donated by our members in Switzerland. Most of the funds to conduct our programmes in the many nations come from our major donors. At present, 50 percent of project funding to the Nepal programme comes from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), about 25 percent comes from DFID and other funding comes from European Union (EU) and The World Bank. </p> <p> <strong>How has the bleak global macro-economic situation affected the support being provided to Nepal by Swiss government?</strong></p> <p> So far Switzerland seems to be lucky because there has not been any considerable impact in Swiss economy. Also the support that Swiss government provides to other nations is not so much affected. In the case of Nepal, the assistance by Swiss government is increasing annually and it is still trying hard to increase the assistance. </p> <p> <strong>Employment Fund has been one of the major projects of HELVETAS in Nepal since 2007. What are the achievements so far? How satisfied are you from this?</strong></p> <p> In fact, we are quite satisfied with the success of Employment Fund. When I joined HELVETAS in 2009, I used to doubt people when they talked about the employment rate and also the income rate of the training programme graduates under this project. But, only when I visited the field was I convinced with the statistical report. At present, we have an average employment rate of 70 percent from among our training graduates with average monthly income of Rs 4,600. With this, all our donors and even the Nepali government have appreciated the success of the project. Moreover, World Bank has even acknowledged the Employment Fund approach in a number of its other projects as well.</p> <p> <strong>How is the Employment Fund regulated? What are its working principles?</strong></p> <p> As I have mentioned, Employment Fund is funded by three donors and we are responsible for the overall management, control and supervision according to the need of the Fund. Furthermore, the Team Leader of the project is a HELVETAS employee who looks after the day-to-day activities of the project and submits us periodical reports. Our project team also makes some periodical visits to the field and discusses with stakeholders on how things are moving. In order to sum up overall progress of the project, we hold steering committee meeting where we discuss the challenges and gains made throughout the period. We also conduct our internal audit and the final reports are submitted to our donors as well as to our headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.</p> <p> <strong>What are the plans for the future?</strong></p> <p> Currently, we have no plan to launch a new project. We shall instead focus on implementation of our running projects. </p> <p> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-07', 'modified' => '2013-07-15', 'keywords' => 'HELVETAS, development partner, swiss, new business age', 'description' => 'HELVETAS has been working in Nepal since 1956 to promote self reliant and sustainable development among the disadvantaged population.', 'sortorder' => '933', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '990', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Investment Friendly Environment Is Needed To Attract Foreign Investors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Alf Arne Ramslien</strong></address> <address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Ambassador</strong></address> <address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">The Royal Norwegian Embassy, Nepal</strong></address> <p> <strong>Excerpts:</strong></p> <p> <strong>How has your experience in Nepal been?</strong></p> <p> I have been very delighted by coming to Nepal and have felt much welcomed. Coming to Nepal has been a very special experience and I regard Nepalis second only to Norwegians personally. I have spent over 20 years in this sub continent and I really appreciate Nepali people.</p> <p> <strong>Nepal’s political situation is in transition period. What are your comments on this?</strong></p> <p> I am very much pleased that political parties are slowly moving ahead. I believe that we should have great respect for complexity of things. It has also been recognized that Nepal’s peace process stands to be one of the most successful peace processes ever in the world. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that not a single bullet has been fired after the peace process. The important thing is that the Maoist commanders are now being integrated in the Nepali Army. These factors show that Nepal’s politics is moving to a brighter side.</p> <p> <strong>So, how do you assess Nepal’s economic situation?</strong></p> <p> We have to regret the fact that Nepal’s potential for economic development has not been tapped. Nepal has tremendous potential, basically linked to the hydropower energy areas. Hydropower is, in fact, the backbone of Nepal’s future, both socially and economically. Only 0.4 percent of the total commercial resources of hydropower have been tapped properly. The irony is that over 100 years have been spent in harnessing only 0.4 percent of the total capacity.</p> <p> <strong>Hydropower is one of the areas Norwegian government has been focusing on in Nepal. What is your assessment of effectiveness of such aid?</strong></p> <p> It is a fact that we have kept hydropower as our top agenda here in Nepal and it is because the sector has core potential in the country. We are supporting the government here in building up the competence. The largest percent of hydropower related human resources in Nepal are educated in Norway. Similarly, we have extensive institutional cooperation between institutions related to electricity. In order to redefine and grasp the potentiality of different river sources, regarding the generation of electricity, various researches and programmes are being initiated by Norway. We also have a policy that supports the government in selling up transmission lines. For instance, we have invested in the transmission line from Upper Tamakoshi to Kathmandu, which is still an ongoing process. However, we are hoping to have a good development of investment-friendly environment in Nepal, so that foreign investors are attracted. Moreover, SN Power, a Norwegian company, is here in Nepal to invest in hydro and dialogue with the government is going on. They have shown keen interest in Tamakoshi-3 project.</p> <p> <strong>What reasons do you find behind Nepal’s inability to meet its potentiality in energy?</strong></p> <p> The reason to be highlighted is the lack of proper investment environment for the private sector in the past. There has been no direct investment from government itself to invest a huge amount in the energy sector. However, it is a good thing that now the investment in energy sector has been made open for the private sector. The next thing required is a reform in the responsible institutions. NEA, being a largest body, should be reformed and it has to be effective as the responsible authority.</p> <p> <strong>What is the annual investment of Norway in Nepal?</strong></p> <p> Investors are the private companies like SN Power. We are here to facilitate the people through grant basis. We are here to help stimulating processes and projects in coordination with the government. The budget spent is around 20 million US dollar. However, this is not the investment.</p> <p> <strong>What are the other concerned areas of Norway in Nepal, besides energy?</strong></p> <p> We pay high attention to the education sector of Nepal. We conduct various educational reform programmes. I would also personally give tribute to the educational success that Nepal has achieved. The whole world has recognized the achievement. According to the figure, almost 95 percent of the children are now attending school in Nepal. Beside this, good governance is also one of our core areas.</p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-05-22', 'modified' => '2013-05-22', 'keywords' => 'Investment Friendly Environment Is Needed To Attract Foreign Investors', 'description' => 'I have been very delighted by coming to Nepal and have felt much welcomed. Coming to Nepal has been a very special experience and I regard Nepalis second only to Norwegians personally. I have spent over 20 years in this sub continent and I really appreciate Nepali people.', 'sortorder' => '867', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '986', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Enhancing Livelihood The NEAT Way', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <span style="font-size: 12px;">When the landless and marginalised communities did not have neither land nor crops in their farmland, they probably did not have other option than blaming their ‘bad fortune.’ USAID Nepal’s project, named Nepal Economic, Agriculture, and Trade (NEAT), has become a partner in ensuring food security and increasing financial access in Banke and Bardiya districts. </span></p> <p> With the support of the project, farmers across 14 districts now have different crops that are not only ensuring the food security of small farmers but also being a handsome source of income.</p> <p> Farmers have now gained skills, knowledge and access to the market. According to Phillip C Broughton, Chief of Party of the NEAT, when these conditions take place the impact of a project is there to stay. However, Hari Lal Dhakal, farmer of Vaishashur of Deudakala VDC, is not confident regarding the economic future of farmers like him, once the project comes to an end. </p> <p> The project, which began on December 2010, has been working in order to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, increase food security and improve people’s lives in Nepal. According to the NEAT, the project’s objective to enhance economic opportunities and food security is divided into strengthening economic policies, increasing competitiveness of selected sector, enhancing food security and increasing access to microfinance services. </p> <p> <strong>Food Security</strong></p> <p> The NEAT has been working with disadvantaged households that have been facing food insecurity. Though some of the donor driven projects seem to have fuelled dependency syndrome on recipients, NEAT has worked with a model to make farmers independent. According to USAID, the NEAT has enrolled farmers in phases, reducing the support on each phase and, therefore, making farmers self dependent with the knowledge, skills and market knowhow.</p> <p> Since the NEAT began intervening farmers across several districts, they have adopted profit making crops instead of the traditional crops they were habituated. Tharu community of Motipur VDC in Bardiya is now involved in vegetables farming such as cabbage, cauliflower and cucumber, along with staple crops like paddy and wheat. Women in the community are now not only financially capable but also socially active. Radhika Chaudhary, a local farmer says, “We are now able to express our voice and actively participating in the self help groups.” Most of the households living in the area were dependent on either subsistence farming of staple food crops or labour work. </p> <p> In the Motipur village, farmers now are making around Rs 100,000 to 150,000 per year depending upon the size of farmlands. Rajendra Sahu, Food Security Manager of the NEAT, said that one person makes Rs 30,000 in a season on average from cauliflower and Rs 40,000 from cucumbers in an area of three katthas of land. </p> <p> With the increased income, Jagat Pyari, one of the exemplary farmers of Deudakala VDC, has added five katthas of land with the income made from her farmland. Along with 1.5 bighas of land of her own, she is also leasing two bighas of land and cultivating vegetables and cucumber along with crops like paddy and maize. With the increasing income level, farmers have also started sending children to schools. There are around 50 landless households who now farm either leasing or owning the land.. </p> <p> Similarly, in Vaishasur village, onion block of Deudakala VDC there are 17 agricultural groups. In these groups, 278 members are female and the remaining 104 are males. They farm onion, beans, cucumber and cauliflower. According to Kewal Singh Chaudhary, Field Technician, every group is involved in cultivation of four crops. </p> <p> Bhim Bahadur Khatri, a returnee migrant worker of Saudi Arabia now regrets going abroad where he could not earn a good income. But now, working in his farmland, is making Rs 50,000 every six months and is building a house for his family. He says that he did not even make Rs 100,000 in three years working in Saudi Arabia. “I will never go abroad. When I am happy earning from home, why would I go there?” he said.</p> <p> Although the agricultural policies prescribed by donors are said to be failing in Nepal. The attempt made by the NEAT project seems fruitful so far. Beneficiaries of the project, low scale farmers in Bardia and Banke district, are happy that NEAT was there to provide them support and lead them to be self sustaining on food and financial security.</p> <p> According to the USAID, so far 71,342 households have benefitted from the USAID NEAT. Similarly, farmers’ sales have increased by US $ 85.44 million within one year working with NEAT. Likewise, 9,212 hectares lands are under improved management practices across the country. The NEAT also provided food security productivity trainings to local farmers and also linked food security farmers with input suppliers, collection centres, traders and micro finance institutions. Moreover, the project also equipped farmers with irrigation facilities and supplied tools and labours to complete the irrigation schemes. According to the official records of the NEAT, 1,203 irrigation systems were installed covering 2,567 hectares.</p> <p> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Financial Services</strong></p> <p> Nepal is said to have around 80 percent of its population away from access to formal financial services. However, with the launching of cashless mobile banking services, people in rural areas with access to mobile telephony can now enjoy the banking services from their mobile phones. These services were launched after NEAT organized a summit in Kathmandu to address this issue. </p> <p> Ramesh Kumar Chaudhary, resident of Thakurdwara VDC of Bardiya, is working as an agent of Laxmi Bank’s Hello Paisa initiative. He now has 160 customers from the village and registers a daily transaction of up to Rs 200,000. He is satisfied to see happy consumers who send and receive money from cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Nepalgunj. Before he provided mobile banking services, locals had to go to Bhurigaun, which is about 25 kilometres far away from the village.</p> <p> Chaudhary is the first agent in the area. He says that a person is allowed to make a transaction of Rs 50,000 per day but only up to a limit of Rs 500,000 , as he is only given authority of that limit. Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, a customer, says that the availability of Hello Paisa agent in the village has helped him save time and cost to travel all the way to a nearest bank. “In that time, I can indulge in my own business,” said Bhattarai.</p> <p> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Lentils enhance income sources</strong></p> <p> Lentil farming under the competitiveness element of the NEAT has helped in increasing the yield of lentil crops by more than 50 per cent over baseline, according to the NEAT. Nepali lentil is finding its market in Bangladesh. Broughton says that the NEAT has also worked on bridging the gap between Nepali sellers and Bangladeshi buyers. </p> <p> According to Dharma Prasad Pandey, Senior Programme Officer of FORWARD , there are 18 groups operating alone in Sanoshree VDC in lentil farming and a few more will be formed soon. He revealed that NEAT provided an assistance of Rs 50 million to the FORWARD.</p> <p> Farmers think that they have now skills to be efficient and produce more. The productivity has increased by up to 35 per cent. Also, they are getting better prices for their products mainly because of the skills they have gained for grading of lentil grains and also because the collection centre pays a good price to them. In the past, farmers used to take their products to nearby markets such as Kohalpur but now buyers come to the village to purchase the production.</p> <p> </p> <p> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>LEADER SPEAK</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p> <img alt="Phillip C. Broughton, Development Partner" height="253" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_vol3_14_neat_phillip.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 0 0;" width="200" /><strong>‘We had several noteworthy <span style="font-size: 12px;">accomplishments in all project areas’</span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> <strong><em><br /> </em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>- Phillip C. Broughton</em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>Chief of Party, USAID Nepal Economic, </em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>Agriculture and Trade (NEAT) Activity</em></strong></p> <p> <span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /> </span></p> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <div> <strong>NEAT project is almost coming to an end. How do you evaluate the success of the project?</strong></div> <div> NEAT is a broad project that aims to increase economic opportunities and enhance food security. We work in different sectors including agriculture, microfinance, and policy. For each of the components of NEAT, there are different indicators of success. In the agriculture component, we are looking to sustainably improve food security and resilience and increase income and competitiveness. In the microfinance component we are looking at enhancing access to financial services for disadvantaged populations and increasing the incomes of micro-entrepreneurs. We especially want to see more people having access to financial services in the rural area. Under our policy component, we are working with both the public and private sectors to improve the business and policy environment. At the policy level we are supporting improvements in trade, investment, and agriculture. In addition, we support fiscal policy improvements to improve the government’s ability to finance its budget.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Among various components which one do you think was the most successful one?</strong></div> <div> Well, I don’t think one is more successful than the others. This project is relatively short in nature, 32 months. Even though it is short, we have had great many accomplishments in all project areas. For example agriculture sales of project beneficiaries are significantly up over baseline figures. The number of rural households with access to financial services is increasing and in many cases through innovative outreach strategies such as mobile banking. And on the policy front, we have worked with the government and the private sector on more 35 different policies, 6 of which have already been implemented and many more are ready to be implemented once the new government is in place. We are very pleased with our progress and, even though this project is short, it is part of USAID’s long term strategy so our successful work will continue.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Trade is also one of the components of the NEAT. What are the achievements on this front?</strong></div> <div> In the trade area, we work on different levels – we have supported government and the private sector in analyzing trade issues with India and China, to identify issues that should be taken to the negotiating table to improve Nepal’s trading environment. We’ve supported government to look at transit issues given the cost of transporting cargo in and out of Nepal, and we’ve supported capacity building within the government related to trade, including on trade analysis and negotiation. At the operational level, we are helping to improve competitiveness and market access for tea, ginger and lentil. For example, with lentil, Bangladesh is the primary market. We are identifying ways to strengthen the relationship between Nepali sellers and Bangladeshi buyers. And we are also analyzing alternative markets so that Nepal’s lentil sector is not so dependent on Bangladesh.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>How do you view the sustainability of these projects?</strong></div> <div> Sustainability is a key objective for us in all project areas. For example, under our food security component we work with over 28,000 beneficiaries. We provide training over 4 to 5 crop cycles, we help establish channels for high quality inputs, and we facilitate market access. 94 per cent of project beneficiaries said they now have access to high quality inputs, up from 21 per cent before the project started. 92 per cent of project beneficiaries are confident they have a market to sell their products in, up from just 50 per cent before the project started. Once project beneficiaries have skills and continuing access to inputs and markets, these won’t just go away. These are key factors in the sustainability of our food security work. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>How long would it take to multiply the good impacts of NEAT to reach to the extent of import substitution? </strong></div> <div> Around 70 per cent of onions consumed in Nepal are imported from India. Given the market potential for Nepali grown onions, this season NEAT food security beneficiaries grew onions on more that 700 hectares of land and they have made very good income. We train farmers how to identify market opportunities. With import substitution, if there is opportunity to make money, farmers are going to do that. This is happening. We see it with onion and we see it with other commodities such as maize for the feed business. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A new project KISAN is being launched soon by USAID. How will this project give continuity to the activities of NEAT?</strong></div> <div> KISAN is working in many of the same districts as NEAT. They started just a few weeks ago yet we have already had several information sharing meetings. It is very important to USAID, NEAT, and KISAN that KISAN takes advantage of the experience gained by previous USAID projects and activities such as NEAT, NFRP, and EIG as well as other donor, government and private sector initiatives. </div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-05-21', 'modified' => '2013-05-21', 'keywords' => 'Enhancing Livelihood The NEAT Way, Development Partner, New Business Age', 'description' => 'With the support of USAID NEAT, farmers across 14 districts now have different crops that are not only ensuring the food security of small farmers but also being a handsome source of income.', 'sortorder' => '863', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '938', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'The Great Himalaya Trail: Once Is Not Enough', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <img alt="" height="367" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_april2013(1).jpg" width="580" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), one of the longest and highest trekking trails of the world, within two years of its opening, has grabbed attention from around the world. The trail is known as one of the top 20 adventure destinations by the National Geographic Adventure magazine, thanks to the successful marketing and branding of the trail.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> The Great Himalaya Trail Development Programme (GHTDP), a two-year programme, has become one of the most popular programmes of tourism development in Nepal. The GHTDP is being implemented by the Nepali Government with technical support of SNV and funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID.) It is being monitored by NGOs and host communities to ensure that GHTDP is living to meet the goals of responsible tourism at its best. Other partners of the programmes are Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> SNV has taken up the role of advisor to successfully implement the GHTDP. Its role in the project is to provide technical advice and capacity building support to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the GHTDP Steering Committee. The programme is funded by the UKAID.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Branding the GHT</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> According to Mim Hamal, GHTDP Team Leader, marketing has been mostly done through the website, newsletters and optimum use of the social media. Participation in travel fairs such as ITB, WTM and travel fairs organised by NTB and TAAN and familiarisation. The trail has also been listed as a prime product by Hauser Exkursionen, a German tour operator, in its catalogue and website. Hamal is optimistic and thinks that the attention the trail is getting (as one of the best adventure trekking trail to stroll around the majestic mountains of the Himalayas) will attract tourists from all over the world.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> According to Hamal, who is also SNV Senior Advisor, the trail is divided into ten connecting treks of two to three weeks long treks each. He stated that each section is being branded with the unique selling points. This opens up the opportunity for tourist to come repeatedly to Nepal to complete the trail. “This is the product that fulfils the Nepali tourism slogan: once is not enough,” said Hamal.</p> <div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Prospects</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mim Hamal expressed the possibility for the trail to be expanded up to 4500 kilometres. “Countries like Afghanistan and China are interested in extending the trail into their territories,” he revealed. Currently, the GHT is 1700 kilometres long.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The trail, that began as a pilot testing in 2009/10 from Humla and Dolpa, has now touched 16 districts in the Himalayan region. The GHT starts in Taplejung district and ends in Humla and Darchula, in the Far West of Nepal, close to the Indian and the Chinese border. The trail connects popular treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions with exotic and virgin tourist destinations in the Eastern and Western Nepal. The GHT takes the travellers to a fascinating vista of mountains and green forest, along with rustic culture and livelihood of mountain people.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Trekkers have the option to choose from two routes: one passes through the average altitude of 4000 to 5000 metres, the other remains mostly below 4000 metres. The upper route is considered quite challenging but promises breathtaking views of the mountains up-close, while the lower trail takes one to the culturally rich villages in the remote mountains of Nepal. This lower trail also allows the traveller to enjoy the biodiversity of the route. The GHT is not only for foreigner adventure seekers, this could also be the perfect trekking destination for Nepali people wanting to travel through the majestic mountains of the country.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Impact on Livelihood</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The GHT has not only brought tourists to the remote mountains but also development opportunities, employment and possibility of improving livelihoods. Hamal states that the awareness programmes carried out in the route have changed the way people treat tourists, “Earlier, people used to offer beer to tourists in the early morning. These days they offer treated and filtered water for drinking.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Similarly, the cooking, guiding, porter and handicraft, lodge management and housekeeping trainings among others provided by the GHTDP have secured self employment for local people. Tourist flow has also opened up market for their agro products, skills and locally made products. The opening of the GHT has also contributed to the building of seven suspension and temporary bridges by the GHTDP. These bridges are not only used by trekkers but also have eased transportation for local people, directly benefiting them. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Bottlenecks</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However, Hamal states that the government has not yet finalised the official route of the GHT. He says that the official route for the endorsement by the cabinet was submitted around a year ago but the cabinet has not endorsed it so far. He also complained about the lack of tourism policies. Moreover, the government does not give a visa for more than 90 days. He demands the extension of this permit for at least two to three years in order for travellers to complete the entire route. Hamal also believes that the current charge for getting a trekking route permit that is as high as US $ 10,000 must be reduced.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Inductive Benefits</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Other infrastructure development, such as micro hydropower in Pathivara, has been initiated. Wi-Fi connectivity is being established targeting tourists coming to the trail. Similarly, the GHT has also provided solar panels for lighting facilities to 40 households in Barpak in Gorkha.Hamal claimed that there are around 100 travel companies </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> operating in the GHT. These companies are also given training courses on sustainable and eco-tourism promotion of the route.</div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">‘The GHT Will Play a Vital Role in Improving the Overall Tourism Scenario’</span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><br /> </span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <img alt="" height="273" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_mim_april2013.jpg" width="200" /></div> <div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">Mim Hamal</span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">GHTDP Team Leader</span></strong></div> <div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">and SNV Senior Advisor</span></strong></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Excerpts:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>What was the idea behind the development of Great Himalayan Trail (GHT)?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The idea behind the development of the Great Himalaya Trail was to promote remote destinations that have not been explored so far. We foresaw that GHT has a huge potential in providing a significant boost to Nepal’s tourism industry and associated support sectors. We estimated that it could help channel tourist and pro-poor tourism investments to less visited and under-developed districts, thereby spreading tourism benefits more widely and inclusively among impoverished mountain communities. And, I believe that we have been successful in achieving that to an extent. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>The trail is a remarkable adventure package in Nepal. How do you think this trail alone will help to promote other trails and the overall tourism in Nepal?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Trekking and mountaineering has the largest international market when it comes to tourism products in Nepal. And, as you say it yourself, that this is a remarkable adventure package, it will most certainly play a vital role in improving the overall tourism scenario in Nepal by attracting those segment of tourists who are in pursuit of a new tourism product who want to explore newer, off-beat-track destinations. This trail will provide a sublet to other smaller, side trails which trekkers are not yet aware of, thereby also promoting other smaller trails</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> .</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>How has the GHT helped in enhancement of livelihood of people living along the trekking trail?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Rather than saying just GHT or SNV, I must also highlight the roles played by the DDC, local NGOs and the local people themselves; the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), who is funding GHTDP – their role is equally important in enhancing the livelihoods of people. With help from these actors, we have identified the needs of people living along the trail and have provided leadership trainings, cook, guide, porter, lodge management, house-keeping, handicraft trainings. We have also invested in infrastructure development – building bridges, micro-hydro extensions, providing solar electrifications, drinking water, investing in trail maintenance and waste management. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On the other hand, we are marketing and promoting these destinations (in the European and American markets) so that there is increase of tourist inflow in these areas. All these activities and involvement is expected to benefit the local mass in some way or the other, most definitely in improving their livelihood.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>SNV’s one of the targets is pro poor sustainable tourism. How do you evaluate Nepal’s progress in this direction?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I can’t speak on behalf of Nepal’s progress overall because there are plenty of players in pro-poor sustainable tourism and I am not the right person to judge others’ progress. But for SNV, I would say we have made good progress with projects like TRPAP, MAST-Nepal in the past, and GHTDP and HITT in the present. All were/are focused on pro-poor sustainable tourism. We were innovative. We are thinking out of the box.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We started with sustainable market projects, which were really about bringing tourism benefits more equally - in particular to the remote and impoverished mountain districts - providing for new business and employment opportunities, and which has also been declared one of the priorities of the Government of Nepal. Our progress has been good and fulfilling. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>How has SNV recognized and incorporated the role of the private sector in tourism?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The private sector has a very important role to play in carrying out any development project. We recognise the importance of their involvement which is why along with having an agreement with the Government of Nepal, and local capacity builders; we also have an agreement with TAAN, Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NGCCI) at the central level and District Chamber of Commerce at the local level. This cooperation is necessary to carry out work smoothly. Working in this manner has turned out to be a really positive process. We are all committed to the same objective, which is striving towards poverty reduction in the country, and we all want to make this work.</div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-04-17', 'modified' => '2013-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => 'The trail is known as one of the top 20 adventure destinations by the National Geographic Adventure magazine.', 'sortorder' => '819', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9438', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Nepal reaffirms commitment to maintain transparency in aid', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 16: Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to maintain transparency in aid during the annual meeting of the International Aid Transparency Initiative’s (IATI) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) in Kathmandu from November 13 to 15.', 'content' => '<p>November 16: Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to maintain transparency in aid during the annual meeting of the International Aid Transparency Initiative’s (IATI) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) in Kathmandu from November 13 to 15.</p> <p>More than 160 expert practitioners from governments, development partners, the private sector and civil society met to discuss increasing the transparency of external resources to partner countries like Nepal during the meeting held for the first time in Asia.</p> <p>IATI was established to support partner countries by improving the availability of data on aid flows, enabling more effective planning and management of national budgets. At the same time, publishing data to IATI allows development partners to meet their own commitments on transparency, and for civil society and the media to hold governments to accountable for the use of resources, the organisers said in a statement.</p> <p>Delivering his remarks to TAG members, Minister Khatiwada underscored the importance of partner countries and noted that this data is crucial to maximise the impact of all development resources and meet the country’s own development priorities.</p> <p>The statement said that international development cooperation is a key component of the overall development financing landscape in Nepal. In the fiscal year 2017-2018, over USD 1.5 billion of aid was disbursed in Nepal, and in recent years, aid has accounted for about 25 percent of the national budget annually.</p> <p>The National Planning Commission estimates that to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, aid flow to Nepal must double from 2016 levels.</p> <p>UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer and Rurik Marsden, chief of DFID Nepal, also attended the meeting, signaling strong support for IATI from the multi-lateral and development partner communities.</p> <p>Renaud Meyer noted in his opening remarks that ‘the success of IATI reflects its relevance as well as the consensus that accurate and transparent development data is critical for action at the country level’.</p> <p>Started as a ‘coalition of the willing’ of 14 development partners in 2008, IATI has now over 90 members and close to 900 publishers who have recognised the importance of high-quality funding data in support of sustainable development. More than 1.1 million development projects are now published and regularly updated according to the global reporting standard known as the IATI Standard.</p> <p>As Coordinator of the IATI Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme will continue to advocate for and support increased use of IATI data at the county level for maximum sustainable development and impactful responses to poverty and crises.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-16', 'modified' => '2018-11-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9216', 'image' => '20181116033312_yub raj khatiwada (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-16 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9437', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Japanese companies donate machineries to Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 16: Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery in collaboration with its Indian partner company handed over a Kobelco mini excavator (SK35SR-6) and one Hydraulic Rock Breaker to Mityal Community Development Agriculture Multipurpose Co-operative Ltd for charitable activities in Nepal.', 'content' => '<p>November 16: Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery in collaboration with its Indian partner company handed over a Kobelco mini excavator (SK35SR-6) and one Hydraulic Rock Breaker to Mityal Community Development Agriculture Multipurpose Co-operative Ltd for charitable activities in Nepal.</p> <p>Issuing a statement, Kobelco said that the heavy equipment were donated by Japanese companies Tohoku Kurosawa Kensetsu and Hashimoto Kenki.</p> <p>Masayuki Sato, who is the CEO of Tohoku Kurosawa Kensetsu, has been supporting for establishing kindergarten and water supply works in Nepal on donation basis since several years. For further contribution to the Nepali society, he and his company donated one unit of Kobelco mini excavator SK35SR-6 this time, reads the statement. In addition to the mini excavator, Hashimoto Kenki donated one unit of Hydraulic Rock Breaker to fit SK35SR-6 mini excavator.</p> <p>Kobelco Construction Machinery said it will cover transportation cost and customs duty for the heavy equipment.</p> <p>The machinery were handed over to Ok Baje, who has been active in social works in remote areas of Palpa and Mityal for the last 25 years.</p> <p>Presently, over 700 Kobelco excavators are working in Nepal, which are supported by Pooja Construction Nepal Pvt Ltd.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-16', 'modified' => '2018-11-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9211', 'image' => '20181116030753_Kobelco Machine Handover.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-16 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1062', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><br /> </strong></p> <p> <strong>By Sujan Dhungana/Ural Singh Misra</strong></p> <p> When it comes to sustainable development, Nepal has a rather rocky track record, from highs such as the establishment of our national parks, to lows such as the pitiful state of our environment, politics and even our ever fluctuating economy. The role of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation has been a bit different. HELVETAS has been working in Nepal since 1956 to promote self reliant and sustainable development among the disadvantaged population. HELVETAS’ very first international affiliation was with Nepal, and for over sixty years the organization has been working to help the underprivileged population obtain sustainable sources of income as well as train youths to acquire technical skills, provide clean sources of water to the rural population and probably the most important in the present context of Nepal - promote governance and peace.</p> <p> <span style="color:#000;"><strong>Education and Skills Development</strong></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000;"><strong><img alt="HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development " height="292" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_agriculture_traning(1).jpg" style="margin:0 10px 0 0;" width="595" /><br /> </strong></span></p> <p> HELVETAS has been working in the education and skills development sector in Nepal to reduce the number of unemployed or underemployed people in our nation. It has three major projects which focus on this particular area: ELAM - Informal Sector Enterprise Development and Employment Generation Program which was implemented to uplift the economic status of many families in central Terai so they could manage their own micro-businesses; Employment Fund which provides underprivileged youths with skills training to help them enter the job market and the Skill development and Employment for the Informal Sector program. HELVETAS has been constantly striving to help the rural informal economy by contributing to help maintain peace and good economic health of rural families.</p> <p> <strong>Environment and Climate</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS has been working towards land and water resource management, community forest preservation and practices for climate change adaptation. As it has many years of experience in these fields and implemented projects which further help conserve Nepal’s environment, HELVETAS has been going for long-term gains to Nepal. The ‘Community Practice in Schools for Learning Climate Change Adaptation’ has been initiated to teach students how to adapt to the ever changing environment and the “Effective Water Governance in the Asian Highlands’ project teaches locals to effectively manage their water supply. </p> <p> <strong>Water and Infrastructure</strong></p> <p> A lack of strong infrastructure has led to many problems in Nepal in the hilly region. It has hindered people’s access to clean water. In order to help relieve pressure on rural farmers in hilly regions the Local Infrastructure for Livelihood Improvement Program was introduced in 2004. This has helped improve food security in the hills and income of has farmers risen. The ‘Trail Bridge Support Unit’ of the Trail Bridge Sub-Sector Program has also helped people in rural areas tremendously. It has helped provide safe and reliable means of crossing rivers, giving people access to expanded markets and children access to better schools. The ‘Water Resource Management Program’ is being implemented with the purpose of increasing drinking water access for rural population and to simultaneously promote sanitation and hygiene.</p> <p> <strong>Rural Economy</strong></p> <p> <strong><img alt="HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_agriculture.jpg" style="margin:0 10px 0 0;" /><br /> </strong></p> <p> As we all know a majority of the population are based in rural areas, so it is vital that people in the rural economy have a stable economic condition. HELVETAS has been working with local government authorities to help increase agricultural productivity, improve technology and promote sustainable soil management. Coffee is traditionally seen as a “cash crop” by farmers mainly because it fetches good price in the market. “Coffee Promotion Program” takes advantage of this and focuses on farmers who are cash deprived and helps with maintaining a regular source of income for those farmers. In order to promote food security, increased income and production technology the ‘Sustainable Soil Management Program’ was introduced in 2001 and is set to end in 2014. Going hand–in-hand with this project is the ‘Riverbed Farming Project’ which helps locals with their livelihoods. Seeing a huge positive impact, the organization plans to continue this project for a few more years, provided that funding is adequate.</p> <p> <strong>Governance and Peace</strong></p> <p> Arguably the thing people of Nepal want most is peace. If there was ever a time for anyone of the international community to come and help our poor nation, it is now. The most important aspect of democracy is the rule of the people, and if that is lost, we would end up with a nation of power-hungry dictators. A majority of the people must be satisfied with what is happening. Currently only minorities are happy and satisfied. HELVETAS feels that a crucial block of democracy is the interrelationship between the people, the state and local government bodies. The organization works in Nepal to stop exclusion and inequalities amongst the people whether they are based on gender, race, caste or even religion. The government of Japan through its Japanese Social Development Fund has awarded a USD 1.9 million grant to the Partnership for Transparency Fund to support independent monitoring of development projects by the World Bank in Nepal. As over 1,000 people leave Nepal every day to be migrant workers mainly in the Middle East and South-East-Asia, it is vital that they remain safe, which is why the ‘Safer Migration Project’ was initiated with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In 1997 HELVETAS initiated the ‘Linking Local Initiatives to New Know-How’ in the mid and far-western regions of Nepal to help deprived communities with issues that adversely affected their economic status. This was done by way of income generation through cash crop production, skill development and social empowerment. This project has now been renamed ‘Linking Smallholders with Local Institutions and Markets’.</p> <p> <strong><br /> </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <strong>‘HELVETAS has been driving for long-term gains to Nepal’</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS is a politically and religiously independent association, supported by 96,551 members, patrons and 12 volunteer-based regional groups in Switzerland. It is active in more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Southern Caucasus. HELVETAS came to Nepal in 1956 and now cooperates with many technical and social organizations in all 75 districts across the country.</p> <p> <img alt="Shiva_Prasad_Aryal, HELVETAS_Swiss_Intercooperation" height="282" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_intercooperation_shiva_prasad_country_director.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 0 10px;" width="200" /></p> <p> <strong>How do you evaluate your organization’s role in maintaining the bilateral relationship between Nepal and Switzerland?</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS is not a donor agency; it is more of an implementing agency. However, we have our ‘Own Fund’ which is created and donated by our members in Switzerland. Most of the funds to conduct our programmes in the many nations come from our major donors. At present, 50 percent of project funding to the Nepal programme comes from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), about 25 percent comes from DFID and other funding comes from European Union (EU) and The World Bank. </p> <p> <strong>How has the bleak global macro-economic situation affected the support being provided to Nepal by Swiss government?</strong></p> <p> So far Switzerland seems to be lucky because there has not been any considerable impact in Swiss economy. Also the support that Swiss government provides to other nations is not so much affected. In the case of Nepal, the assistance by Swiss government is increasing annually and it is still trying hard to increase the assistance. </p> <p> <strong>Employment Fund has been one of the major projects of HELVETAS in Nepal since 2007. What are the achievements so far? How satisfied are you from this?</strong></p> <p> In fact, we are quite satisfied with the success of Employment Fund. When I joined HELVETAS in 2009, I used to doubt people when they talked about the employment rate and also the income rate of the training programme graduates under this project. But, only when I visited the field was I convinced with the statistical report. At present, we have an average employment rate of 70 percent from among our training graduates with average monthly income of Rs 4,600. With this, all our donors and even the Nepali government have appreciated the success of the project. Moreover, World Bank has even acknowledged the Employment Fund approach in a number of its other projects as well.</p> <p> <strong>How is the Employment Fund regulated? What are its working principles?</strong></p> <p> As I have mentioned, Employment Fund is funded by three donors and we are responsible for the overall management, control and supervision according to the need of the Fund. Furthermore, the Team Leader of the project is a HELVETAS employee who looks after the day-to-day activities of the project and submits us periodical reports. Our project team also makes some periodical visits to the field and discusses with stakeholders on how things are moving. In order to sum up overall progress of the project, we hold steering committee meeting where we discuss the challenges and gains made throughout the period. We also conduct our internal audit and the final reports are submitted to our donors as well as to our headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.</p> <p> <strong>What are the plans for the future?</strong></p> <p> Currently, we have no plan to launch a new project. We shall instead focus on implementation of our running projects. </p> <p> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-07', 'modified' => '2013-07-15', 'keywords' => 'HELVETAS, development partner, swiss, new business age', 'description' => 'HELVETAS has been working in Nepal since 1956 to promote self reliant and sustainable development among the disadvantaged population.', 'sortorder' => '933', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '990', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Investment Friendly Environment Is Needed To Attract Foreign Investors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Alf Arne Ramslien</strong></address> <address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Ambassador</strong></address> <address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">The Royal Norwegian Embassy, Nepal</strong></address> <p> <strong>Excerpts:</strong></p> <p> <strong>How has your experience in Nepal been?</strong></p> <p> I have been very delighted by coming to Nepal and have felt much welcomed. Coming to Nepal has been a very special experience and I regard Nepalis second only to Norwegians personally. I have spent over 20 years in this sub continent and I really appreciate Nepali people.</p> <p> <strong>Nepal’s political situation is in transition period. What are your comments on this?</strong></p> <p> I am very much pleased that political parties are slowly moving ahead. I believe that we should have great respect for complexity of things. It has also been recognized that Nepal’s peace process stands to be one of the most successful peace processes ever in the world. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that not a single bullet has been fired after the peace process. The important thing is that the Maoist commanders are now being integrated in the Nepali Army. These factors show that Nepal’s politics is moving to a brighter side.</p> <p> <strong>So, how do you assess Nepal’s economic situation?</strong></p> <p> We have to regret the fact that Nepal’s potential for economic development has not been tapped. Nepal has tremendous potential, basically linked to the hydropower energy areas. Hydropower is, in fact, the backbone of Nepal’s future, both socially and economically. Only 0.4 percent of the total commercial resources of hydropower have been tapped properly. The irony is that over 100 years have been spent in harnessing only 0.4 percent of the total capacity.</p> <p> <strong>Hydropower is one of the areas Norwegian government has been focusing on in Nepal. What is your assessment of effectiveness of such aid?</strong></p> <p> It is a fact that we have kept hydropower as our top agenda here in Nepal and it is because the sector has core potential in the country. We are supporting the government here in building up the competence. The largest percent of hydropower related human resources in Nepal are educated in Norway. Similarly, we have extensive institutional cooperation between institutions related to electricity. In order to redefine and grasp the potentiality of different river sources, regarding the generation of electricity, various researches and programmes are being initiated by Norway. We also have a policy that supports the government in selling up transmission lines. For instance, we have invested in the transmission line from Upper Tamakoshi to Kathmandu, which is still an ongoing process. However, we are hoping to have a good development of investment-friendly environment in Nepal, so that foreign investors are attracted. Moreover, SN Power, a Norwegian company, is here in Nepal to invest in hydro and dialogue with the government is going on. They have shown keen interest in Tamakoshi-3 project.</p> <p> <strong>What reasons do you find behind Nepal’s inability to meet its potentiality in energy?</strong></p> <p> The reason to be highlighted is the lack of proper investment environment for the private sector in the past. There has been no direct investment from government itself to invest a huge amount in the energy sector. However, it is a good thing that now the investment in energy sector has been made open for the private sector. The next thing required is a reform in the responsible institutions. NEA, being a largest body, should be reformed and it has to be effective as the responsible authority.</p> <p> <strong>What is the annual investment of Norway in Nepal?</strong></p> <p> Investors are the private companies like SN Power. We are here to facilitate the people through grant basis. We are here to help stimulating processes and projects in coordination with the government. The budget spent is around 20 million US dollar. However, this is not the investment.</p> <p> <strong>What are the other concerned areas of Norway in Nepal, besides energy?</strong></p> <p> We pay high attention to the education sector of Nepal. We conduct various educational reform programmes. I would also personally give tribute to the educational success that Nepal has achieved. The whole world has recognized the achievement. According to the figure, almost 95 percent of the children are now attending school in Nepal. Beside this, good governance is also one of our core areas.</p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-05-22', 'modified' => '2013-05-22', 'keywords' => 'Investment Friendly Environment Is Needed To Attract Foreign Investors', 'description' => 'I have been very delighted by coming to Nepal and have felt much welcomed. Coming to Nepal has been a very special experience and I regard Nepalis second only to Norwegians personally. I have spent over 20 years in this sub continent and I really appreciate Nepali people.', 'sortorder' => '867', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '986', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Enhancing Livelihood The NEAT Way', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <span style="font-size: 12px;">When the landless and marginalised communities did not have neither land nor crops in their farmland, they probably did not have other option than blaming their ‘bad fortune.’ USAID Nepal’s project, named Nepal Economic, Agriculture, and Trade (NEAT), has become a partner in ensuring food security and increasing financial access in Banke and Bardiya districts. </span></p> <p> With the support of the project, farmers across 14 districts now have different crops that are not only ensuring the food security of small farmers but also being a handsome source of income.</p> <p> Farmers have now gained skills, knowledge and access to the market. According to Phillip C Broughton, Chief of Party of the NEAT, when these conditions take place the impact of a project is there to stay. However, Hari Lal Dhakal, farmer of Vaishashur of Deudakala VDC, is not confident regarding the economic future of farmers like him, once the project comes to an end. </p> <p> The project, which began on December 2010, has been working in order to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, increase food security and improve people’s lives in Nepal. According to the NEAT, the project’s objective to enhance economic opportunities and food security is divided into strengthening economic policies, increasing competitiveness of selected sector, enhancing food security and increasing access to microfinance services. </p> <p> <strong>Food Security</strong></p> <p> The NEAT has been working with disadvantaged households that have been facing food insecurity. Though some of the donor driven projects seem to have fuelled dependency syndrome on recipients, NEAT has worked with a model to make farmers independent. According to USAID, the NEAT has enrolled farmers in phases, reducing the support on each phase and, therefore, making farmers self dependent with the knowledge, skills and market knowhow.</p> <p> Since the NEAT began intervening farmers across several districts, they have adopted profit making crops instead of the traditional crops they were habituated. Tharu community of Motipur VDC in Bardiya is now involved in vegetables farming such as cabbage, cauliflower and cucumber, along with staple crops like paddy and wheat. Women in the community are now not only financially capable but also socially active. Radhika Chaudhary, a local farmer says, “We are now able to express our voice and actively participating in the self help groups.” Most of the households living in the area were dependent on either subsistence farming of staple food crops or labour work. </p> <p> In the Motipur village, farmers now are making around Rs 100,000 to 150,000 per year depending upon the size of farmlands. Rajendra Sahu, Food Security Manager of the NEAT, said that one person makes Rs 30,000 in a season on average from cauliflower and Rs 40,000 from cucumbers in an area of three katthas of land. </p> <p> With the increased income, Jagat Pyari, one of the exemplary farmers of Deudakala VDC, has added five katthas of land with the income made from her farmland. Along with 1.5 bighas of land of her own, she is also leasing two bighas of land and cultivating vegetables and cucumber along with crops like paddy and maize. With the increasing income level, farmers have also started sending children to schools. There are around 50 landless households who now farm either leasing or owning the land.. </p> <p> Similarly, in Vaishasur village, onion block of Deudakala VDC there are 17 agricultural groups. In these groups, 278 members are female and the remaining 104 are males. They farm onion, beans, cucumber and cauliflower. According to Kewal Singh Chaudhary, Field Technician, every group is involved in cultivation of four crops. </p> <p> Bhim Bahadur Khatri, a returnee migrant worker of Saudi Arabia now regrets going abroad where he could not earn a good income. But now, working in his farmland, is making Rs 50,000 every six months and is building a house for his family. He says that he did not even make Rs 100,000 in three years working in Saudi Arabia. “I will never go abroad. When I am happy earning from home, why would I go there?” he said.</p> <p> Although the agricultural policies prescribed by donors are said to be failing in Nepal. The attempt made by the NEAT project seems fruitful so far. Beneficiaries of the project, low scale farmers in Bardia and Banke district, are happy that NEAT was there to provide them support and lead them to be self sustaining on food and financial security.</p> <p> According to the USAID, so far 71,342 households have benefitted from the USAID NEAT. Similarly, farmers’ sales have increased by US $ 85.44 million within one year working with NEAT. Likewise, 9,212 hectares lands are under improved management practices across the country. The NEAT also provided food security productivity trainings to local farmers and also linked food security farmers with input suppliers, collection centres, traders and micro finance institutions. Moreover, the project also equipped farmers with irrigation facilities and supplied tools and labours to complete the irrigation schemes. According to the official records of the NEAT, 1,203 irrigation systems were installed covering 2,567 hectares.</p> <p> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Financial Services</strong></p> <p> Nepal is said to have around 80 percent of its population away from access to formal financial services. However, with the launching of cashless mobile banking services, people in rural areas with access to mobile telephony can now enjoy the banking services from their mobile phones. These services were launched after NEAT organized a summit in Kathmandu to address this issue. </p> <p> Ramesh Kumar Chaudhary, resident of Thakurdwara VDC of Bardiya, is working as an agent of Laxmi Bank’s Hello Paisa initiative. He now has 160 customers from the village and registers a daily transaction of up to Rs 200,000. He is satisfied to see happy consumers who send and receive money from cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Nepalgunj. Before he provided mobile banking services, locals had to go to Bhurigaun, which is about 25 kilometres far away from the village.</p> <p> Chaudhary is the first agent in the area. He says that a person is allowed to make a transaction of Rs 50,000 per day but only up to a limit of Rs 500,000 , as he is only given authority of that limit. Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, a customer, says that the availability of Hello Paisa agent in the village has helped him save time and cost to travel all the way to a nearest bank. “In that time, I can indulge in my own business,” said Bhattarai.</p> <p> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Lentils enhance income sources</strong></p> <p> Lentil farming under the competitiveness element of the NEAT has helped in increasing the yield of lentil crops by more than 50 per cent over baseline, according to the NEAT. Nepali lentil is finding its market in Bangladesh. Broughton says that the NEAT has also worked on bridging the gap between Nepali sellers and Bangladeshi buyers. </p> <p> According to Dharma Prasad Pandey, Senior Programme Officer of FORWARD , there are 18 groups operating alone in Sanoshree VDC in lentil farming and a few more will be formed soon. He revealed that NEAT provided an assistance of Rs 50 million to the FORWARD.</p> <p> Farmers think that they have now skills to be efficient and produce more. The productivity has increased by up to 35 per cent. Also, they are getting better prices for their products mainly because of the skills they have gained for grading of lentil grains and also because the collection centre pays a good price to them. In the past, farmers used to take their products to nearby markets such as Kohalpur but now buyers come to the village to purchase the production.</p> <p> </p> <p> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>LEADER SPEAK</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p> <img alt="Phillip C. Broughton, Development Partner" height="253" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_vol3_14_neat_phillip.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 0 0;" width="200" /><strong>‘We had several noteworthy <span style="font-size: 12px;">accomplishments in all project areas’</span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> <strong><em><br /> </em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>- Phillip C. Broughton</em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>Chief of Party, USAID Nepal Economic, </em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>Agriculture and Trade (NEAT) Activity</em></strong></p> <p> <span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /> </span></p> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <div> <strong>NEAT project is almost coming to an end. How do you evaluate the success of the project?</strong></div> <div> NEAT is a broad project that aims to increase economic opportunities and enhance food security. We work in different sectors including agriculture, microfinance, and policy. For each of the components of NEAT, there are different indicators of success. In the agriculture component, we are looking to sustainably improve food security and resilience and increase income and competitiveness. In the microfinance component we are looking at enhancing access to financial services for disadvantaged populations and increasing the incomes of micro-entrepreneurs. We especially want to see more people having access to financial services in the rural area. Under our policy component, we are working with both the public and private sectors to improve the business and policy environment. At the policy level we are supporting improvements in trade, investment, and agriculture. In addition, we support fiscal policy improvements to improve the government’s ability to finance its budget.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Among various components which one do you think was the most successful one?</strong></div> <div> Well, I don’t think one is more successful than the others. This project is relatively short in nature, 32 months. Even though it is short, we have had great many accomplishments in all project areas. For example agriculture sales of project beneficiaries are significantly up over baseline figures. The number of rural households with access to financial services is increasing and in many cases through innovative outreach strategies such as mobile banking. And on the policy front, we have worked with the government and the private sector on more 35 different policies, 6 of which have already been implemented and many more are ready to be implemented once the new government is in place. We are very pleased with our progress and, even though this project is short, it is part of USAID’s long term strategy so our successful work will continue.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Trade is also one of the components of the NEAT. What are the achievements on this front?</strong></div> <div> In the trade area, we work on different levels – we have supported government and the private sector in analyzing trade issues with India and China, to identify issues that should be taken to the negotiating table to improve Nepal’s trading environment. We’ve supported government to look at transit issues given the cost of transporting cargo in and out of Nepal, and we’ve supported capacity building within the government related to trade, including on trade analysis and negotiation. At the operational level, we are helping to improve competitiveness and market access for tea, ginger and lentil. For example, with lentil, Bangladesh is the primary market. We are identifying ways to strengthen the relationship between Nepali sellers and Bangladeshi buyers. And we are also analyzing alternative markets so that Nepal’s lentil sector is not so dependent on Bangladesh.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>How do you view the sustainability of these projects?</strong></div> <div> Sustainability is a key objective for us in all project areas. For example, under our food security component we work with over 28,000 beneficiaries. We provide training over 4 to 5 crop cycles, we help establish channels for high quality inputs, and we facilitate market access. 94 per cent of project beneficiaries said they now have access to high quality inputs, up from 21 per cent before the project started. 92 per cent of project beneficiaries are confident they have a market to sell their products in, up from just 50 per cent before the project started. Once project beneficiaries have skills and continuing access to inputs and markets, these won’t just go away. These are key factors in the sustainability of our food security work. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>How long would it take to multiply the good impacts of NEAT to reach to the extent of import substitution? </strong></div> <div> Around 70 per cent of onions consumed in Nepal are imported from India. Given the market potential for Nepali grown onions, this season NEAT food security beneficiaries grew onions on more that 700 hectares of land and they have made very good income. We train farmers how to identify market opportunities. With import substitution, if there is opportunity to make money, farmers are going to do that. This is happening. We see it with onion and we see it with other commodities such as maize for the feed business. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A new project KISAN is being launched soon by USAID. How will this project give continuity to the activities of NEAT?</strong></div> <div> KISAN is working in many of the same districts as NEAT. They started just a few weeks ago yet we have already had several information sharing meetings. It is very important to USAID, NEAT, and KISAN that KISAN takes advantage of the experience gained by previous USAID projects and activities such as NEAT, NFRP, and EIG as well as other donor, government and private sector initiatives. </div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-05-21', 'modified' => '2013-05-21', 'keywords' => 'Enhancing Livelihood The NEAT Way, Development Partner, New Business Age', 'description' => 'With the support of USAID NEAT, farmers across 14 districts now have different crops that are not only ensuring the food security of small farmers but also being a handsome source of income.', 'sortorder' => '863', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '938', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'The Great Himalaya Trail: Once Is Not Enough', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <img alt="" height="367" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_april2013(1).jpg" width="580" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), one of the longest and highest trekking trails of the world, within two years of its opening, has grabbed attention from around the world. The trail is known as one of the top 20 adventure destinations by the National Geographic Adventure magazine, thanks to the successful marketing and branding of the trail.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> The Great Himalaya Trail Development Programme (GHTDP), a two-year programme, has become one of the most popular programmes of tourism development in Nepal. The GHTDP is being implemented by the Nepali Government with technical support of SNV and funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID.) It is being monitored by NGOs and host communities to ensure that GHTDP is living to meet the goals of responsible tourism at its best. Other partners of the programmes are Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> SNV has taken up the role of advisor to successfully implement the GHTDP. Its role in the project is to provide technical advice and capacity building support to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the GHTDP Steering Committee. The programme is funded by the UKAID.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Branding the GHT</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> According to Mim Hamal, GHTDP Team Leader, marketing has been mostly done through the website, newsletters and optimum use of the social media. Participation in travel fairs such as ITB, WTM and travel fairs organised by NTB and TAAN and familiarisation. The trail has also been listed as a prime product by Hauser Exkursionen, a German tour operator, in its catalogue and website. Hamal is optimistic and thinks that the attention the trail is getting (as one of the best adventure trekking trail to stroll around the majestic mountains of the Himalayas) will attract tourists from all over the world.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> According to Hamal, who is also SNV Senior Advisor, the trail is divided into ten connecting treks of two to three weeks long treks each. He stated that each section is being branded with the unique selling points. This opens up the opportunity for tourist to come repeatedly to Nepal to complete the trail. “This is the product that fulfils the Nepali tourism slogan: once is not enough,” said Hamal.</p> <div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Prospects</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mim Hamal expressed the possibility for the trail to be expanded up to 4500 kilometres. “Countries like Afghanistan and China are interested in extending the trail into their territories,” he revealed. Currently, the GHT is 1700 kilometres long.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The trail, that began as a pilot testing in 2009/10 from Humla and Dolpa, has now touched 16 districts in the Himalayan region. The GHT starts in Taplejung district and ends in Humla and Darchula, in the Far West of Nepal, close to the Indian and the Chinese border. The trail connects popular treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions with exotic and virgin tourist destinations in the Eastern and Western Nepal. The GHT takes the travellers to a fascinating vista of mountains and green forest, along with rustic culture and livelihood of mountain people.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Trekkers have the option to choose from two routes: one passes through the average altitude of 4000 to 5000 metres, the other remains mostly below 4000 metres. The upper route is considered quite challenging but promises breathtaking views of the mountains up-close, while the lower trail takes one to the culturally rich villages in the remote mountains of Nepal. This lower trail also allows the traveller to enjoy the biodiversity of the route. The GHT is not only for foreigner adventure seekers, this could also be the perfect trekking destination for Nepali people wanting to travel through the majestic mountains of the country.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Impact on Livelihood</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The GHT has not only brought tourists to the remote mountains but also development opportunities, employment and possibility of improving livelihoods. Hamal states that the awareness programmes carried out in the route have changed the way people treat tourists, “Earlier, people used to offer beer to tourists in the early morning. These days they offer treated and filtered water for drinking.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Similarly, the cooking, guiding, porter and handicraft, lodge management and housekeeping trainings among others provided by the GHTDP have secured self employment for local people. Tourist flow has also opened up market for their agro products, skills and locally made products. The opening of the GHT has also contributed to the building of seven suspension and temporary bridges by the GHTDP. These bridges are not only used by trekkers but also have eased transportation for local people, directly benefiting them. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Bottlenecks</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However, Hamal states that the government has not yet finalised the official route of the GHT. He says that the official route for the endorsement by the cabinet was submitted around a year ago but the cabinet has not endorsed it so far. He also complained about the lack of tourism policies. Moreover, the government does not give a visa for more than 90 days. He demands the extension of this permit for at least two to three years in order for travellers to complete the entire route. Hamal also believes that the current charge for getting a trekking route permit that is as high as US $ 10,000 must be reduced.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Inductive Benefits</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Other infrastructure development, such as micro hydropower in Pathivara, has been initiated. Wi-Fi connectivity is being established targeting tourists coming to the trail. Similarly, the GHT has also provided solar panels for lighting facilities to 40 households in Barpak in Gorkha.Hamal claimed that there are around 100 travel companies </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> operating in the GHT. These companies are also given training courses on sustainable and eco-tourism promotion of the route.</div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">‘The GHT Will Play a Vital Role in Improving the Overall Tourism Scenario’</span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><br /> </span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <img alt="" height="273" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_mim_april2013.jpg" width="200" /></div> <div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">Mim Hamal</span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">GHTDP Team Leader</span></strong></div> <div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">and SNV Senior Advisor</span></strong></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Excerpts:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>What was the idea behind the development of Great Himalayan Trail (GHT)?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The idea behind the development of the Great Himalaya Trail was to promote remote destinations that have not been explored so far. We foresaw that GHT has a huge potential in providing a significant boost to Nepal’s tourism industry and associated support sectors. We estimated that it could help channel tourist and pro-poor tourism investments to less visited and under-developed districts, thereby spreading tourism benefits more widely and inclusively among impoverished mountain communities. And, I believe that we have been successful in achieving that to an extent. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>The trail is a remarkable adventure package in Nepal. How do you think this trail alone will help to promote other trails and the overall tourism in Nepal?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Trekking and mountaineering has the largest international market when it comes to tourism products in Nepal. And, as you say it yourself, that this is a remarkable adventure package, it will most certainly play a vital role in improving the overall tourism scenario in Nepal by attracting those segment of tourists who are in pursuit of a new tourism product who want to explore newer, off-beat-track destinations. This trail will provide a sublet to other smaller, side trails which trekkers are not yet aware of, thereby also promoting other smaller trails</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> .</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>How has the GHT helped in enhancement of livelihood of people living along the trekking trail?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Rather than saying just GHT or SNV, I must also highlight the roles played by the DDC, local NGOs and the local people themselves; the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), who is funding GHTDP – their role is equally important in enhancing the livelihoods of people. With help from these actors, we have identified the needs of people living along the trail and have provided leadership trainings, cook, guide, porter, lodge management, house-keeping, handicraft trainings. We have also invested in infrastructure development – building bridges, micro-hydro extensions, providing solar electrifications, drinking water, investing in trail maintenance and waste management. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On the other hand, we are marketing and promoting these destinations (in the European and American markets) so that there is increase of tourist inflow in these areas. All these activities and involvement is expected to benefit the local mass in some way or the other, most definitely in improving their livelihood.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>SNV’s one of the targets is pro poor sustainable tourism. How do you evaluate Nepal’s progress in this direction?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I can’t speak on behalf of Nepal’s progress overall because there are plenty of players in pro-poor sustainable tourism and I am not the right person to judge others’ progress. But for SNV, I would say we have made good progress with projects like TRPAP, MAST-Nepal in the past, and GHTDP and HITT in the present. All were/are focused on pro-poor sustainable tourism. We were innovative. We are thinking out of the box.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We started with sustainable market projects, which were really about bringing tourism benefits more equally - in particular to the remote and impoverished mountain districts - providing for new business and employment opportunities, and which has also been declared one of the priorities of the Government of Nepal. Our progress has been good and fulfilling. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>How has SNV recognized and incorporated the role of the private sector in tourism?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The private sector has a very important role to play in carrying out any development project. We recognise the importance of their involvement which is why along with having an agreement with the Government of Nepal, and local capacity builders; we also have an agreement with TAAN, Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NGCCI) at the central level and District Chamber of Commerce at the local level. This cooperation is necessary to carry out work smoothly. Working in this manner has turned out to be a really positive process. We are all committed to the same objective, which is striving towards poverty reduction in the country, and we all want to make this work.</div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-04-17', 'modified' => '2013-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => 'The trail is known as one of the top 20 adventure destinations by the National Geographic Adventure magazine.', 'sortorder' => '819', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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At the same time, publishing data to IATI allows development partners to meet their own commitments on transparency, and for civil society and the media to hold governments to accountable for the use of resources, the organisers said in a statement.</p> <p>Delivering his remarks to TAG members, Minister Khatiwada underscored the importance of partner countries and noted that this data is crucial to maximise the impact of all development resources and meet the country’s own development priorities.</p> <p>The statement said that international development cooperation is a key component of the overall development financing landscape in Nepal. In the fiscal year 2017-2018, over USD 1.5 billion of aid was disbursed in Nepal, and in recent years, aid has accounted for about 25 percent of the national budget annually.</p> <p>The National Planning Commission estimates that to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, aid flow to Nepal must double from 2016 levels.</p> <p>UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer and Rurik Marsden, chief of DFID Nepal, also attended the meeting, signaling strong support for IATI from the multi-lateral and development partner communities.</p> <p>Renaud Meyer noted in his opening remarks that ‘the success of IATI reflects its relevance as well as the consensus that accurate and transparent development data is critical for action at the country level’.</p> <p>Started as a ‘coalition of the willing’ of 14 development partners in 2008, IATI has now over 90 members and close to 900 publishers who have recognised the importance of high-quality funding data in support of sustainable development. More than 1.1 million development projects are now published and regularly updated according to the global reporting standard known as the IATI Standard.</p> <p>As Coordinator of the IATI Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme will continue to advocate for and support increased use of IATI data at the county level for maximum sustainable development and impactful responses to poverty and crises.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-16', 'modified' => '2018-11-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9216', 'image' => '20181116033312_yub raj khatiwada (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-16 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '9437', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Japanese companies donate machineries to Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 16: Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery in collaboration with its Indian partner company handed over a Kobelco mini excavator (SK35SR-6) and one Hydraulic Rock Breaker to Mityal Community Development Agriculture Multipurpose Co-operative Ltd for charitable activities in Nepal.', 'content' => '<p>November 16: Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery in collaboration with its Indian partner company handed over a Kobelco mini excavator (SK35SR-6) and one Hydraulic Rock Breaker to Mityal Community Development Agriculture Multipurpose Co-operative Ltd for charitable activities in Nepal.</p> <p>Issuing a statement, Kobelco said that the heavy equipment were donated by Japanese companies Tohoku Kurosawa Kensetsu and Hashimoto Kenki.</p> <p>Masayuki Sato, who is the CEO of Tohoku Kurosawa Kensetsu, has been supporting for establishing kindergarten and water supply works in Nepal on donation basis since several years. For further contribution to the Nepali society, he and his company donated one unit of Kobelco mini excavator SK35SR-6 this time, reads the statement. In addition to the mini excavator, Hashimoto Kenki donated one unit of Hydraulic Rock Breaker to fit SK35SR-6 mini excavator.</p> <p>Kobelco Construction Machinery said it will cover transportation cost and customs duty for the heavy equipment.</p> <p>The machinery were handed over to Ok Baje, who has been active in social works in remote areas of Palpa and Mityal for the last 25 years.</p> <p>Presently, over 700 Kobelco excavators are working in Nepal, which are supported by Pooja Construction Nepal Pvt Ltd.</p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2018-11-16', 'modified' => '2018-11-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '9211', 'image' => '20181116030753_Kobelco Machine Handover.jpg', 'article_date' => '2018-11-16 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '20' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '1062', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <strong><br /> </strong></p> <p> <strong>By Sujan Dhungana/Ural Singh Misra</strong></p> <p> When it comes to sustainable development, Nepal has a rather rocky track record, from highs such as the establishment of our national parks, to lows such as the pitiful state of our environment, politics and even our ever fluctuating economy. The role of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation has been a bit different. HELVETAS has been working in Nepal since 1956 to promote self reliant and sustainable development among the disadvantaged population. HELVETAS’ very first international affiliation was with Nepal, and for over sixty years the organization has been working to help the underprivileged population obtain sustainable sources of income as well as train youths to acquire technical skills, provide clean sources of water to the rural population and probably the most important in the present context of Nepal - promote governance and peace.</p> <p> <span style="color:#000;"><strong>Education and Skills Development</strong></span></p> <p> <span style="color:#000;"><strong><img alt="HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development " height="292" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_agriculture_traning(1).jpg" style="margin:0 10px 0 0;" width="595" /><br /> </strong></span></p> <p> HELVETAS has been working in the education and skills development sector in Nepal to reduce the number of unemployed or underemployed people in our nation. It has three major projects which focus on this particular area: ELAM - Informal Sector Enterprise Development and Employment Generation Program which was implemented to uplift the economic status of many families in central Terai so they could manage their own micro-businesses; Employment Fund which provides underprivileged youths with skills training to help them enter the job market and the Skill development and Employment for the Informal Sector program. HELVETAS has been constantly striving to help the rural informal economy by contributing to help maintain peace and good economic health of rural families.</p> <p> <strong>Environment and Climate</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS has been working towards land and water resource management, community forest preservation and practices for climate change adaptation. As it has many years of experience in these fields and implemented projects which further help conserve Nepal’s environment, HELVETAS has been going for long-term gains to Nepal. The ‘Community Practice in Schools for Learning Climate Change Adaptation’ has been initiated to teach students how to adapt to the ever changing environment and the “Effective Water Governance in the Asian Highlands’ project teaches locals to effectively manage their water supply. </p> <p> <strong>Water and Infrastructure</strong></p> <p> A lack of strong infrastructure has led to many problems in Nepal in the hilly region. It has hindered people’s access to clean water. In order to help relieve pressure on rural farmers in hilly regions the Local Infrastructure for Livelihood Improvement Program was introduced in 2004. This has helped improve food security in the hills and income of has farmers risen. The ‘Trail Bridge Support Unit’ of the Trail Bridge Sub-Sector Program has also helped people in rural areas tremendously. It has helped provide safe and reliable means of crossing rivers, giving people access to expanded markets and children access to better schools. The ‘Water Resource Management Program’ is being implemented with the purpose of increasing drinking water access for rural population and to simultaneously promote sanitation and hygiene.</p> <p> <strong>Rural Economy</strong></p> <p> <strong><img alt="HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: Envisioning Sustainable Development" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_agriculture.jpg" style="margin:0 10px 0 0;" /><br /> </strong></p> <p> As we all know a majority of the population are based in rural areas, so it is vital that people in the rural economy have a stable economic condition. HELVETAS has been working with local government authorities to help increase agricultural productivity, improve technology and promote sustainable soil management. Coffee is traditionally seen as a “cash crop” by farmers mainly because it fetches good price in the market. “Coffee Promotion Program” takes advantage of this and focuses on farmers who are cash deprived and helps with maintaining a regular source of income for those farmers. In order to promote food security, increased income and production technology the ‘Sustainable Soil Management Program’ was introduced in 2001 and is set to end in 2014. Going hand–in-hand with this project is the ‘Riverbed Farming Project’ which helps locals with their livelihoods. Seeing a huge positive impact, the organization plans to continue this project for a few more years, provided that funding is adequate.</p> <p> <strong>Governance and Peace</strong></p> <p> Arguably the thing people of Nepal want most is peace. If there was ever a time for anyone of the international community to come and help our poor nation, it is now. The most important aspect of democracy is the rule of the people, and if that is lost, we would end up with a nation of power-hungry dictators. A majority of the people must be satisfied with what is happening. Currently only minorities are happy and satisfied. HELVETAS feels that a crucial block of democracy is the interrelationship between the people, the state and local government bodies. The organization works in Nepal to stop exclusion and inequalities amongst the people whether they are based on gender, race, caste or even religion. The government of Japan through its Japanese Social Development Fund has awarded a USD 1.9 million grant to the Partnership for Transparency Fund to support independent monitoring of development projects by the World Bank in Nepal. As over 1,000 people leave Nepal every day to be migrant workers mainly in the Middle East and South-East-Asia, it is vital that they remain safe, which is why the ‘Safer Migration Project’ was initiated with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In 1997 HELVETAS initiated the ‘Linking Local Initiatives to New Know-How’ in the mid and far-western regions of Nepal to help deprived communities with issues that adversely affected their economic status. This was done by way of income generation through cash crop production, skill development and social empowerment. This project has now been renamed ‘Linking Smallholders with Local Institutions and Markets’.</p> <p> <strong><br /> </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <strong>‘HELVETAS has been driving for long-term gains to Nepal’</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS is a politically and religiously independent association, supported by 96,551 members, patrons and 12 volunteer-based regional groups in Switzerland. It is active in more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Southern Caucasus. HELVETAS came to Nepal in 1956 and now cooperates with many technical and social organizations in all 75 districts across the country.</p> <p> <img alt="Shiva_Prasad_Aryal, HELVETAS_Swiss_Intercooperation" height="282" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_june2013_helvetas_swiss_intercooperation_shiva_prasad_country_director.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 0 10px;" width="200" /></p> <p> <strong>How do you evaluate your organization’s role in maintaining the bilateral relationship between Nepal and Switzerland?</strong></p> <p> HELVETAS is not a donor agency; it is more of an implementing agency. However, we have our ‘Own Fund’ which is created and donated by our members in Switzerland. Most of the funds to conduct our programmes in the many nations come from our major donors. At present, 50 percent of project funding to the Nepal programme comes from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), about 25 percent comes from DFID and other funding comes from European Union (EU) and The World Bank. </p> <p> <strong>How has the bleak global macro-economic situation affected the support being provided to Nepal by Swiss government?</strong></p> <p> So far Switzerland seems to be lucky because there has not been any considerable impact in Swiss economy. Also the support that Swiss government provides to other nations is not so much affected. In the case of Nepal, the assistance by Swiss government is increasing annually and it is still trying hard to increase the assistance. </p> <p> <strong>Employment Fund has been one of the major projects of HELVETAS in Nepal since 2007. What are the achievements so far? How satisfied are you from this?</strong></p> <p> In fact, we are quite satisfied with the success of Employment Fund. When I joined HELVETAS in 2009, I used to doubt people when they talked about the employment rate and also the income rate of the training programme graduates under this project. But, only when I visited the field was I convinced with the statistical report. At present, we have an average employment rate of 70 percent from among our training graduates with average monthly income of Rs 4,600. With this, all our donors and even the Nepali government have appreciated the success of the project. Moreover, World Bank has even acknowledged the Employment Fund approach in a number of its other projects as well.</p> <p> <strong>How is the Employment Fund regulated? What are its working principles?</strong></p> <p> As I have mentioned, Employment Fund is funded by three donors and we are responsible for the overall management, control and supervision according to the need of the Fund. Furthermore, the Team Leader of the project is a HELVETAS employee who looks after the day-to-day activities of the project and submits us periodical reports. Our project team also makes some periodical visits to the field and discusses with stakeholders on how things are moving. In order to sum up overall progress of the project, we hold steering committee meeting where we discuss the challenges and gains made throughout the period. We also conduct our internal audit and the final reports are submitted to our donors as well as to our headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.</p> <p> <strong>What are the plans for the future?</strong></p> <p> Currently, we have no plan to launch a new project. We shall instead focus on implementation of our running projects. </p> <p> </p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-06-07', 'modified' => '2013-07-15', 'keywords' => 'HELVETAS, development partner, swiss, new business age', 'description' => 'HELVETAS has been working in Nepal since 1956 to promote self reliant and sustainable development among the disadvantaged population.', 'sortorder' => '933', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '990', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Investment Friendly Environment Is Needed To Attract Foreign Investors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Alf Arne Ramslien</strong></address> <address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Ambassador</strong></address> <address> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">The Royal Norwegian Embassy, Nepal</strong></address> <p> <strong>Excerpts:</strong></p> <p> <strong>How has your experience in Nepal been?</strong></p> <p> I have been very delighted by coming to Nepal and have felt much welcomed. Coming to Nepal has been a very special experience and I regard Nepalis second only to Norwegians personally. I have spent over 20 years in this sub continent and I really appreciate Nepali people.</p> <p> <strong>Nepal’s political situation is in transition period. What are your comments on this?</strong></p> <p> I am very much pleased that political parties are slowly moving ahead. I believe that we should have great respect for complexity of things. It has also been recognized that Nepal’s peace process stands to be one of the most successful peace processes ever in the world. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that not a single bullet has been fired after the peace process. The important thing is that the Maoist commanders are now being integrated in the Nepali Army. These factors show that Nepal’s politics is moving to a brighter side.</p> <p> <strong>So, how do you assess Nepal’s economic situation?</strong></p> <p> We have to regret the fact that Nepal’s potential for economic development has not been tapped. Nepal has tremendous potential, basically linked to the hydropower energy areas. Hydropower is, in fact, the backbone of Nepal’s future, both socially and economically. Only 0.4 percent of the total commercial resources of hydropower have been tapped properly. The irony is that over 100 years have been spent in harnessing only 0.4 percent of the total capacity.</p> <p> <strong>Hydropower is one of the areas Norwegian government has been focusing on in Nepal. What is your assessment of effectiveness of such aid?</strong></p> <p> It is a fact that we have kept hydropower as our top agenda here in Nepal and it is because the sector has core potential in the country. We are supporting the government here in building up the competence. The largest percent of hydropower related human resources in Nepal are educated in Norway. Similarly, we have extensive institutional cooperation between institutions related to electricity. In order to redefine and grasp the potentiality of different river sources, regarding the generation of electricity, various researches and programmes are being initiated by Norway. We also have a policy that supports the government in selling up transmission lines. For instance, we have invested in the transmission line from Upper Tamakoshi to Kathmandu, which is still an ongoing process. However, we are hoping to have a good development of investment-friendly environment in Nepal, so that foreign investors are attracted. Moreover, SN Power, a Norwegian company, is here in Nepal to invest in hydro and dialogue with the government is going on. They have shown keen interest in Tamakoshi-3 project.</p> <p> <strong>What reasons do you find behind Nepal’s inability to meet its potentiality in energy?</strong></p> <p> The reason to be highlighted is the lack of proper investment environment for the private sector in the past. There has been no direct investment from government itself to invest a huge amount in the energy sector. However, it is a good thing that now the investment in energy sector has been made open for the private sector. The next thing required is a reform in the responsible institutions. NEA, being a largest body, should be reformed and it has to be effective as the responsible authority.</p> <p> <strong>What is the annual investment of Norway in Nepal?</strong></p> <p> Investors are the private companies like SN Power. We are here to facilitate the people through grant basis. We are here to help stimulating processes and projects in coordination with the government. The budget spent is around 20 million US dollar. However, this is not the investment.</p> <p> <strong>What are the other concerned areas of Norway in Nepal, besides energy?</strong></p> <p> We pay high attention to the education sector of Nepal. We conduct various educational reform programmes. I would also personally give tribute to the educational success that Nepal has achieved. The whole world has recognized the achievement. According to the figure, almost 95 percent of the children are now attending school in Nepal. Beside this, good governance is also one of our core areas.</p>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-05-22', 'modified' => '2013-05-22', 'keywords' => 'Investment Friendly Environment Is Needed To Attract Foreign Investors', 'description' => 'I have been very delighted by coming to Nepal and have felt much welcomed. Coming to Nepal has been a very special experience and I regard Nepalis second only to Norwegians personally. I have spent over 20 years in this sub continent and I really appreciate Nepali people.', 'sortorder' => '867', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '986', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'Enhancing Livelihood The NEAT Way', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p> <span style="font-size: 12px;">When the landless and marginalised communities did not have neither land nor crops in their farmland, they probably did not have other option than blaming their ‘bad fortune.’ USAID Nepal’s project, named Nepal Economic, Agriculture, and Trade (NEAT), has become a partner in ensuring food security and increasing financial access in Banke and Bardiya districts. </span></p> <p> With the support of the project, farmers across 14 districts now have different crops that are not only ensuring the food security of small farmers but also being a handsome source of income.</p> <p> Farmers have now gained skills, knowledge and access to the market. According to Phillip C Broughton, Chief of Party of the NEAT, when these conditions take place the impact of a project is there to stay. However, Hari Lal Dhakal, farmer of Vaishashur of Deudakala VDC, is not confident regarding the economic future of farmers like him, once the project comes to an end. </p> <p> The project, which began on December 2010, has been working in order to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, increase food security and improve people’s lives in Nepal. According to the NEAT, the project’s objective to enhance economic opportunities and food security is divided into strengthening economic policies, increasing competitiveness of selected sector, enhancing food security and increasing access to microfinance services. </p> <p> <strong>Food Security</strong></p> <p> The NEAT has been working with disadvantaged households that have been facing food insecurity. Though some of the donor driven projects seem to have fuelled dependency syndrome on recipients, NEAT has worked with a model to make farmers independent. According to USAID, the NEAT has enrolled farmers in phases, reducing the support on each phase and, therefore, making farmers self dependent with the knowledge, skills and market knowhow.</p> <p> Since the NEAT began intervening farmers across several districts, they have adopted profit making crops instead of the traditional crops they were habituated. Tharu community of Motipur VDC in Bardiya is now involved in vegetables farming such as cabbage, cauliflower and cucumber, along with staple crops like paddy and wheat. Women in the community are now not only financially capable but also socially active. Radhika Chaudhary, a local farmer says, “We are now able to express our voice and actively participating in the self help groups.” Most of the households living in the area were dependent on either subsistence farming of staple food crops or labour work. </p> <p> In the Motipur village, farmers now are making around Rs 100,000 to 150,000 per year depending upon the size of farmlands. Rajendra Sahu, Food Security Manager of the NEAT, said that one person makes Rs 30,000 in a season on average from cauliflower and Rs 40,000 from cucumbers in an area of three katthas of land. </p> <p> With the increased income, Jagat Pyari, one of the exemplary farmers of Deudakala VDC, has added five katthas of land with the income made from her farmland. Along with 1.5 bighas of land of her own, she is also leasing two bighas of land and cultivating vegetables and cucumber along with crops like paddy and maize. With the increasing income level, farmers have also started sending children to schools. There are around 50 landless households who now farm either leasing or owning the land.. </p> <p> Similarly, in Vaishasur village, onion block of Deudakala VDC there are 17 agricultural groups. In these groups, 278 members are female and the remaining 104 are males. They farm onion, beans, cucumber and cauliflower. According to Kewal Singh Chaudhary, Field Technician, every group is involved in cultivation of four crops. </p> <p> Bhim Bahadur Khatri, a returnee migrant worker of Saudi Arabia now regrets going abroad where he could not earn a good income. But now, working in his farmland, is making Rs 50,000 every six months and is building a house for his family. He says that he did not even make Rs 100,000 in three years working in Saudi Arabia. “I will never go abroad. When I am happy earning from home, why would I go there?” he said.</p> <p> Although the agricultural policies prescribed by donors are said to be failing in Nepal. The attempt made by the NEAT project seems fruitful so far. Beneficiaries of the project, low scale farmers in Bardia and Banke district, are happy that NEAT was there to provide them support and lead them to be self sustaining on food and financial security.</p> <p> According to the USAID, so far 71,342 households have benefitted from the USAID NEAT. Similarly, farmers’ sales have increased by US $ 85.44 million within one year working with NEAT. Likewise, 9,212 hectares lands are under improved management practices across the country. The NEAT also provided food security productivity trainings to local farmers and also linked food security farmers with input suppliers, collection centres, traders and micro finance institutions. Moreover, the project also equipped farmers with irrigation facilities and supplied tools and labours to complete the irrigation schemes. According to the official records of the NEAT, 1,203 irrigation systems were installed covering 2,567 hectares.</p> <p> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Financial Services</strong></p> <p> Nepal is said to have around 80 percent of its population away from access to formal financial services. However, with the launching of cashless mobile banking services, people in rural areas with access to mobile telephony can now enjoy the banking services from their mobile phones. These services were launched after NEAT organized a summit in Kathmandu to address this issue. </p> <p> Ramesh Kumar Chaudhary, resident of Thakurdwara VDC of Bardiya, is working as an agent of Laxmi Bank’s Hello Paisa initiative. He now has 160 customers from the village and registers a daily transaction of up to Rs 200,000. He is satisfied to see happy consumers who send and receive money from cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Nepalgunj. Before he provided mobile banking services, locals had to go to Bhurigaun, which is about 25 kilometres far away from the village.</p> <p> Chaudhary is the first agent in the area. He says that a person is allowed to make a transaction of Rs 50,000 per day but only up to a limit of Rs 500,000 , as he is only given authority of that limit. Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, a customer, says that the availability of Hello Paisa agent in the village has helped him save time and cost to travel all the way to a nearest bank. “In that time, I can indulge in my own business,” said Bhattarai.</p> <p> <strong style="font-size: 12px;">Lentils enhance income sources</strong></p> <p> Lentil farming under the competitiveness element of the NEAT has helped in increasing the yield of lentil crops by more than 50 per cent over baseline, according to the NEAT. Nepali lentil is finding its market in Bangladesh. Broughton says that the NEAT has also worked on bridging the gap between Nepali sellers and Bangladeshi buyers. </p> <p> According to Dharma Prasad Pandey, Senior Programme Officer of FORWARD , there are 18 groups operating alone in Sanoshree VDC in lentil farming and a few more will be formed soon. He revealed that NEAT provided an assistance of Rs 50 million to the FORWARD.</p> <p> Farmers think that they have now skills to be efficient and produce more. The productivity has increased by up to 35 per cent. Also, they are getting better prices for their products mainly because of the skills they have gained for grading of lentil grains and also because the collection centre pays a good price to them. In the past, farmers used to take their products to nearby markets such as Kohalpur but now buyers come to the village to purchase the production.</p> <p> </p> <p> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>LEADER SPEAK</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p> <img alt="Phillip C. Broughton, Development Partner" height="253" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_vol3_14_neat_phillip.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 0 0;" width="200" /><strong>‘We had several noteworthy <span style="font-size: 12px;">accomplishments in all project areas’</span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> <strong><em><br /> </em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>- Phillip C. Broughton</em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>Chief of Party, USAID Nepal Economic, </em></strong></p> <p> <strong><em>Agriculture and Trade (NEAT) Activity</em></strong></p> <p> <span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /> </span></p> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <div> <strong>NEAT project is almost coming to an end. How do you evaluate the success of the project?</strong></div> <div> NEAT is a broad project that aims to increase economic opportunities and enhance food security. We work in different sectors including agriculture, microfinance, and policy. For each of the components of NEAT, there are different indicators of success. In the agriculture component, we are looking to sustainably improve food security and resilience and increase income and competitiveness. In the microfinance component we are looking at enhancing access to financial services for disadvantaged populations and increasing the incomes of micro-entrepreneurs. We especially want to see more people having access to financial services in the rural area. Under our policy component, we are working with both the public and private sectors to improve the business and policy environment. At the policy level we are supporting improvements in trade, investment, and agriculture. In addition, we support fiscal policy improvements to improve the government’s ability to finance its budget.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Among various components which one do you think was the most successful one?</strong></div> <div> Well, I don’t think one is more successful than the others. This project is relatively short in nature, 32 months. Even though it is short, we have had great many accomplishments in all project areas. For example agriculture sales of project beneficiaries are significantly up over baseline figures. The number of rural households with access to financial services is increasing and in many cases through innovative outreach strategies such as mobile banking. And on the policy front, we have worked with the government and the private sector on more 35 different policies, 6 of which have already been implemented and many more are ready to be implemented once the new government is in place. We are very pleased with our progress and, even though this project is short, it is part of USAID’s long term strategy so our successful work will continue.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Trade is also one of the components of the NEAT. What are the achievements on this front?</strong></div> <div> In the trade area, we work on different levels – we have supported government and the private sector in analyzing trade issues with India and China, to identify issues that should be taken to the negotiating table to improve Nepal’s trading environment. We’ve supported government to look at transit issues given the cost of transporting cargo in and out of Nepal, and we’ve supported capacity building within the government related to trade, including on trade analysis and negotiation. At the operational level, we are helping to improve competitiveness and market access for tea, ginger and lentil. For example, with lentil, Bangladesh is the primary market. We are identifying ways to strengthen the relationship between Nepali sellers and Bangladeshi buyers. And we are also analyzing alternative markets so that Nepal’s lentil sector is not so dependent on Bangladesh.</div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>How do you view the sustainability of these projects?</strong></div> <div> Sustainability is a key objective for us in all project areas. For example, under our food security component we work with over 28,000 beneficiaries. We provide training over 4 to 5 crop cycles, we help establish channels for high quality inputs, and we facilitate market access. 94 per cent of project beneficiaries said they now have access to high quality inputs, up from 21 per cent before the project started. 92 per cent of project beneficiaries are confident they have a market to sell their products in, up from just 50 per cent before the project started. Once project beneficiaries have skills and continuing access to inputs and markets, these won’t just go away. These are key factors in the sustainability of our food security work. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>How long would it take to multiply the good impacts of NEAT to reach to the extent of import substitution? </strong></div> <div> Around 70 per cent of onions consumed in Nepal are imported from India. Given the market potential for Nepali grown onions, this season NEAT food security beneficiaries grew onions on more that 700 hectares of land and they have made very good income. We train farmers how to identify market opportunities. With import substitution, if there is opportunity to make money, farmers are going to do that. This is happening. We see it with onion and we see it with other commodities such as maize for the feed business. </div> <div> </div> <div> <strong>A new project KISAN is being launched soon by USAID. How will this project give continuity to the activities of NEAT?</strong></div> <div> KISAN is working in many of the same districts as NEAT. They started just a few weeks ago yet we have already had several information sharing meetings. It is very important to USAID, NEAT, and KISAN that KISAN takes advantage of the experience gained by previous USAID projects and activities such as NEAT, NFRP, and EIG as well as other donor, government and private sector initiatives. </div> </div> <div> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-05-21', 'modified' => '2013-05-21', 'keywords' => 'Enhancing Livelihood The NEAT Way, Development Partner, New Business Age', 'description' => 'With the support of USAID NEAT, farmers across 14 districts now have different crops that are not only ensuring the food security of small farmers but also being a handsome source of income.', 'sortorder' => '863', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '938', 'article_category_id' => '73', 'title' => 'The Great Himalaya Trail: Once Is Not Enough', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => null, 'content' => '<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <img alt="" height="367" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_april2013(1).jpg" width="580" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), one of the longest and highest trekking trails of the world, within two years of its opening, has grabbed attention from around the world. The trail is known as one of the top 20 adventure destinations by the National Geographic Adventure magazine, thanks to the successful marketing and branding of the trail.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> The Great Himalaya Trail Development Programme (GHTDP), a two-year programme, has become one of the most popular programmes of tourism development in Nepal. The GHTDP is being implemented by the Nepali Government with technical support of SNV and funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID.) It is being monitored by NGOs and host communities to ensure that GHTDP is living to meet the goals of responsible tourism at its best. Other partners of the programmes are Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> SNV has taken up the role of advisor to successfully implement the GHTDP. Its role in the project is to provide technical advice and capacity building support to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the GHTDP Steering Committee. The programme is funded by the UKAID.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Branding the GHT</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> According to Mim Hamal, GHTDP Team Leader, marketing has been mostly done through the website, newsletters and optimum use of the social media. Participation in travel fairs such as ITB, WTM and travel fairs organised by NTB and TAAN and familiarisation. The trail has also been listed as a prime product by Hauser Exkursionen, a German tour operator, in its catalogue and website. Hamal is optimistic and thinks that the attention the trail is getting (as one of the best adventure trekking trail to stroll around the majestic mountains of the Himalayas) will attract tourists from all over the world.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> According to Hamal, who is also SNV Senior Advisor, the trail is divided into ten connecting treks of two to three weeks long treks each. He stated that each section is being branded with the unique selling points. This opens up the opportunity for tourist to come repeatedly to Nepal to complete the trail. “This is the product that fulfils the Nepali tourism slogan: once is not enough,” said Hamal.</p> <div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Prospects</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mim Hamal expressed the possibility for the trail to be expanded up to 4500 kilometres. “Countries like Afghanistan and China are interested in extending the trail into their territories,” he revealed. Currently, the GHT is 1700 kilometres long.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The trail, that began as a pilot testing in 2009/10 from Humla and Dolpa, has now touched 16 districts in the Himalayan region. The GHT starts in Taplejung district and ends in Humla and Darchula, in the Far West of Nepal, close to the Indian and the Chinese border. The trail connects popular treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions with exotic and virgin tourist destinations in the Eastern and Western Nepal. The GHT takes the travellers to a fascinating vista of mountains and green forest, along with rustic culture and livelihood of mountain people.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Trekkers have the option to choose from two routes: one passes through the average altitude of 4000 to 5000 metres, the other remains mostly below 4000 metres. The upper route is considered quite challenging but promises breathtaking views of the mountains up-close, while the lower trail takes one to the culturally rich villages in the remote mountains of Nepal. This lower trail also allows the traveller to enjoy the biodiversity of the route. The GHT is not only for foreigner adventure seekers, this could also be the perfect trekking destination for Nepali people wanting to travel through the majestic mountains of the country.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Impact on Livelihood</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The GHT has not only brought tourists to the remote mountains but also development opportunities, employment and possibility of improving livelihoods. Hamal states that the awareness programmes carried out in the route have changed the way people treat tourists, “Earlier, people used to offer beer to tourists in the early morning. These days they offer treated and filtered water for drinking.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Similarly, the cooking, guiding, porter and handicraft, lodge management and housekeeping trainings among others provided by the GHTDP have secured self employment for local people. Tourist flow has also opened up market for their agro products, skills and locally made products. The opening of the GHT has also contributed to the building of seven suspension and temporary bridges by the GHTDP. These bridges are not only used by trekkers but also have eased transportation for local people, directly benefiting them. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Bottlenecks</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However, Hamal states that the government has not yet finalised the official route of the GHT. He says that the official route for the endorsement by the cabinet was submitted around a year ago but the cabinet has not endorsed it so far. He also complained about the lack of tourism policies. Moreover, the government does not give a visa for more than 90 days. He demands the extension of this permit for at least two to three years in order for travellers to complete the entire route. Hamal also believes that the current charge for getting a trekking route permit that is as high as US $ 10,000 must be reduced.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Inductive Benefits</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Other infrastructure development, such as micro hydropower in Pathivara, has been initiated. Wi-Fi connectivity is being established targeting tourists coming to the trail. Similarly, the GHT has also provided solar panels for lighting facilities to 40 households in Barpak in Gorkha.Hamal claimed that there are around 100 travel companies </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> operating in the GHT. These companies are also given training courses on sustainable and eco-tourism promotion of the route.</div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">‘The GHT Will Play a Vital Role in Improving the Overall Tourism Scenario’</span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><br /> </span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <img alt="" height="273" src="http://www.newbusinessage.com/ckfinder/userfiles/Images/development_partner_mim_april2013.jpg" width="200" /></div> <div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">Mim Hamal</span></strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">GHTDP Team Leader</span></strong></div> <div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><span style="font-size:11px;">and SNV Senior Advisor</span></strong></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Excerpts:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><br /> </strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>What was the idea behind the development of Great Himalayan Trail (GHT)?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The idea behind the development of the Great Himalaya Trail was to promote remote destinations that have not been explored so far. We foresaw that GHT has a huge potential in providing a significant boost to Nepal’s tourism industry and associated support sectors. We estimated that it could help channel tourist and pro-poor tourism investments to less visited and under-developed districts, thereby spreading tourism benefits more widely and inclusively among impoverished mountain communities. And, I believe that we have been successful in achieving that to an extent. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>The trail is a remarkable adventure package in Nepal. How do you think this trail alone will help to promote other trails and the overall tourism in Nepal?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Trekking and mountaineering has the largest international market when it comes to tourism products in Nepal. And, as you say it yourself, that this is a remarkable adventure package, it will most certainly play a vital role in improving the overall tourism scenario in Nepal by attracting those segment of tourists who are in pursuit of a new tourism product who want to explore newer, off-beat-track destinations. This trail will provide a sublet to other smaller, side trails which trekkers are not yet aware of, thereby also promoting other smaller trails</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> .</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>How has the GHT helped in enhancement of livelihood of people living along the trekking trail?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Rather than saying just GHT or SNV, I must also highlight the roles played by the DDC, local NGOs and the local people themselves; the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), who is funding GHTDP – their role is equally important in enhancing the livelihoods of people. With help from these actors, we have identified the needs of people living along the trail and have provided leadership trainings, cook, guide, porter, lodge management, house-keeping, handicraft trainings. We have also invested in infrastructure development – building bridges, micro-hydro extensions, providing solar electrifications, drinking water, investing in trail maintenance and waste management. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On the other hand, we are marketing and promoting these destinations (in the European and American markets) so that there is increase of tourist inflow in these areas. All these activities and involvement is expected to benefit the local mass in some way or the other, most definitely in improving their livelihood.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>SNV’s one of the targets is pro poor sustainable tourism. How do you evaluate Nepal’s progress in this direction?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I can’t speak on behalf of Nepal’s progress overall because there are plenty of players in pro-poor sustainable tourism and I am not the right person to judge others’ progress. But for SNV, I would say we have made good progress with projects like TRPAP, MAST-Nepal in the past, and GHTDP and HITT in the present. All were/are focused on pro-poor sustainable tourism. We were innovative. We are thinking out of the box.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We started with sustainable market projects, which were really about bringing tourism benefits more equally - in particular to the remote and impoverished mountain districts - providing for new business and employment opportunities, and which has also been declared one of the priorities of the Government of Nepal. Our progress has been good and fulfilling. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>How has SNV recognized and incorporated the role of the private sector in tourism?</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The private sector has a very important role to play in carrying out any development project. We recognise the importance of their involvement which is why along with having an agreement with the Government of Nepal, and local capacity builders; we also have an agreement with TAAN, Nepal German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NGCCI) at the central level and District Chamber of Commerce at the local level. This cooperation is necessary to carry out work smoothly. Working in this manner has turned out to be a really positive process. We are all committed to the same objective, which is striving towards poverty reduction in the country, and we all want to make this work.</div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2013-04-17', 'modified' => '2013-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => 'The trail is known as one of the top 20 adventure destinations by the National Geographic Adventure magazine.', 'sortorder' => '819', 'image' => null, 'article_date' => '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '0' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
