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Global Compact Nepal (GCN) collaborated with three of its member companies, namely Daraz, Leaf Plus, and Himalayan Everest Insurance, to jointly organize the fourth session of Peer Learning Groups (PLG) at Daraz headquarters. The event brought together private sector companies from Nepal, providing them with a platform to learn about the latest best practices in Climate Action through company-led sessions.

Global Compact Nepal operates as the local network of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), which is a voluntary non-binding pact aiming to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies while reporting on their implementation. More than 50 companies in Nepal are part of this global corporate sustainability initiative and actively engage with the organization to enhance their understanding of sustainability through participating in events.

Peer Learning Groups constitute one of the many activities organized by Global Compact Nepal to promote sustainability among private sector companies. This year, 25 Global Compact Local Networks worldwide offer such groups, providing a safe space for companies to share their efforts and challenges regarding critical sustainability issues with like-minded professionals. For Nepalese private sector companies, it presents an ideal opportunity to connect with local peers, share insights, and gain knowledge on Climate Action through six sessions held over six months. Prior to this fourth session, three other sessions witnessed companies like Nebico, Hoste Hainse, IUCN, Ingrails, and Smart Paani sharing their sustainability initiatives for the benefit of others.

During the fourth session, Daraz, a well-established and reliable marketplace with over five years of service, explained how they are actively pursuing sustainability. Mr. Raunak Thapa, Operations Support Manager at Daraz, shared their commitment to reduce their environmental impact by minimizing paper usage, recycling plastic packaging, increasing the use of electric vehicles for delivery, and implementing solar panels for energy.

Himalayan Everest Insurance also showcased commendable sustainability efforts, highlighting their digitalization of insurance application procedures to significantly reduce paper consumption. Through a recent initiative in partnership with Ncell, they simplified the insurance process for the public, enabling claims through a single touch on their mobile phones, demonstrating their dedication to providing an eco-friendly insurance experience for customers.

Leaf Plus, another company featured in the session, operates as a socio-economic enterprise focused on making a positive impact on the environment and society by producing and promoting Areca (Supari) Leaf products, involving women, marginalized, and farmer groups in the production chain. Their innovative use of naturally fallen leaves as a sustainable and responsible alternative to plastics reflects their commitment to environmental conservation.

The success of the four PLGs reflects the increasing awareness among Nepalese companies about sustainable business practices. Two more sessions of Peer Learning Groups are scheduled for the coming months. By fostering such collaborations and knowledge-sharing, the private sector in Nepal takes significant steps towards creating a more sustainable and responsible business environment.

Nepal Wool Felt Producers’ and Exporters’ Association recently celebrated its 17th anniversary in Kathmandu.

On the occasion, the association felicitated its founder Sagar Thapa in recognition of his work. 

Thapa identified the need for a coalition of felt producers and traders for the betterment of the industry, and took the initiative to set up the association, which was founded in 2007.

“This association, which has been helping, not only the felt entrepreneurs, but the workers, in their business, is a brain child of Thapa,” said Sarada Rijal, founding president of the association. 

Thapa is considered a pioneer in felt production and export, who inspired many people to join the association by training them. He also helped many traders to participate in exhibitions in Europe.

Despite his contribution to the Nepali felt industry, Rijal said Thapa never insisted on taking any position in the association.

Nepali felt products are exported in over 20 countries and the association regularly participates in trade fairs held in around 15 countries. Nepal exports felt products worth Rs 11bn annually.

Amrit Khadka, former president of the association, said: “Felt is among rare products which get exported from Nepal. But the government has imposed a five percent tax and 13 percent VAT in felt products which should be reviewed.”

Felt industry provides employment to over 20,000 people and over 90 percent of them are women which is helping to maintain good living standards. 

Naresh Lal Shrestha, president of the association and owner of Bagmati Handicrafts, praised the family-like relations in the association.

“We treat the people involved here as family members. That is why there hasn’t been any election in the association in these 17 long years. I can proudly say that no other association has unity like us,” he added.

Biswas Shrestha, owner of Hopp Creation Industries Pvt. Ltd., said felt products are among the few items being exported from Nepal. “To further increase the export, we need to have raw materials produced in Nepal,” he added.

Shrestha’s industry employs around 400 women, who make different kinds of felt products out of wool imported from New Zealand. The finished products are exported back to New Zealand.

“If we can have a massive sheep farm here, we can keep 100 percent of the foreign currency income in Nepal,” said Shrestha.
The association’s president and the owner of Bagmati Handicrafts, Naresh Lal Shrestha, said though Nepali felt industry add 50–60 percent value addition to the business, they can do better with the government help. “This industry has the capacity to cater to all the Nepalis who want to return home from foreign employment,” he added.

Thapa’s brainchild

Sagar Thapa, general secretary of Nepal-Israel Chamber of Commerce started the business of felt handicrafts in 2001 and is still continuing to contribute to the industry. He promotes Nepali felt products globally through Panchakanya Nepal Enterprises where he has kept his workers as his business partners.

In these 23 years in the industry, he has provided services to over 2,000 SME entrepreneurs through international tarde fair participations. The services not only include business and trade but also training and knowledge sharing classes. “I also help newcomers to seek the market,” said Thapa. Till 2024, he hopes to produce 500 skilled youths in the exportable business.

“I wanted to form an association of felt producers as it would help the businesspersons to convey their voice boldly and help laborers advocate for their rights,” he says that he is inspired by a concept of many in bodies, one in mind.

Thapa has also contributed to various social and charitable works including the Bagmati Cleaning Campaign. “It gives me 100 times more happiness when I get to work and help others from the background,” he said. “I’ll continue my constructive and positive work.”

Thapa added if the government provides a better environment and infrastructure, in 10 years, Nepal’s Rs 11bn felt export industry can become a Rs 80bn industry.

“I am happy that even after 17 years, the association has not forgotten my work,” said Thapa. “The association’s founding Vice-president Rajan Karmacharya has also equally contributed to this initiative.”

Japan has provided mammography equipment to Nepal Cancer Care Foundation, a specialized medical organization focused largely on women’s cancer screening.

A handover ceremony was held at the foundation’s office in Satdobato, Lalitpur, on Monday. On the occasion Ambassador of Japan Kikuta Yutaka praised the foundation for its works in the field of cancer treatment. 

“The Embassy of Japan hopes that this initiative will further contribute to strengthening medical services and foster deeper friendship and cooperation between the people of Japan and Nepal,” he said.

The mammography equipment was provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GPP). Since the start of GGP in 1991, it has successfully completed over 200 projects in Nepal. 

Ambassador Yutaka expressed optimism that the sophisticated mammography technology would result in early detection, thereby enhancing the health and quality of life for people, families, and communities throughout Nepal.

“Nepal Cancer Care Foundation has already conducted breast cancer screening for more than 500 women using the equipment provided by GGP, showcasing the immediate impact of the project on enhancing medical services,” said Yutaka.

The foundation was established in 2011 with the goal of  reducing the cancer burden through screening and counseling services, particularly for breast and cervical cancers. Its services are provided at their diagnostic center in Lalitpur, as well as through screening health camps in rural areas across the country.

“We are sincerely thankful to everyone who has contributed to the success and growth of this foundation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Japanese Embassy for their generous donation of a mammography machine, a significant contribution that will undoubtedly improve the lives of thousands of Nepali women, enabling them to lead healthier and better lives,”  general secretary of the foundation Dr Sarita Ghimire.

The Board of Trustees of the Isa Award for Service to Humanity, chaired by Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, the special representative of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, stated that the Isa Award for Service to Humanity reflects the King’s unwavering commitment to supporting humanitarian work. They emphasized that the award was established as a tribute to the late Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who devoted his life to serving humanity.

This announcement took place during the opening of nominations for the sixth edition (2023/24) of the Isa Award for Service to Humanity. The award was initially launched by the King in 2009 and aims to honor outstanding individuals and organizations that provide exceptional services to humanity.

In the fifth edition, the award was presented to the esteemed Nepali ophthalmologist, Dr Sanduk Ruit, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to human service through eye treatment.

Ali Abdullah Khalifa, the Secretary General of the Isa Award, highlighted that the Kingdom of Bahrain, through the establishment of this Award, has become a leading supporter of pioneering global initiatives that serve humanity. He further pointed out that the award stands as the first Arab award to globally recognize initiatives dedicated to serving humanity, gaining international recognition and acclaim.

“A jury of experts from around the world will judge the nominees’ work. The winner of the award will be presented with a Royal Certificate of Appreciation, a medal made of pure gold, and $1m at a ceremony in the Kingdom of Bahrain in June 2025,” the Secretary General said.

Nominations will close at the end of Jan 2024.