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H.E. Elisabeth von Capeller, Ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal

What was your first impression when you landed here as the Swiss ambassador? 

As it is my second posting, I was happy to be back in Kathmandu as an Ambassador. When I landed, I immediately felt at home. 

What are the similarities between Nepal and Switzerland? 

Nepal and Switzerland have much in common yet are unique in their individual experience that connects us. The most obvious similarity is the mountains, nature, and that we are landlocked countries. 

The mountainous landscape is also similar, but Switzerland is domesticated with access to cable cars, etc whereas in Nepal it is still pure nature. The political reality is also similar as we are both federal countries and not to forget the diversity both countries have, which adds richness. 

What are the three milestones you feel you have achieved as Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nepal?

- Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises to survive and sustain during the COVID-19 pandemic through our programs.

 - During the pandemic, we could support the people of Nepal quickly with ventilators, oxygen concentrators, testing kits, and now we are doing so with the vaccines through the COVAX facility. 

- Promoting young people and dynamic people in the organization has also been quite a milestone.

How are the people-to-people relations between Nepal and Switzerland and how can they be further enhanced? 

Switzerland and Nepal share a very strong relationship. Many Swiss citizens have come to Nepal to travel and there was huge Swiss solidarity shown during the 2015 earthquake, which was also seen during the pandemic. 

It was not only the Swiss government who supported but private people also showed their support. I hope more people from Switzerland visit Nepal as tourists in the future. 

We would like to have more Swiss business engagement in Nepal to bring jobs, innovation, and expertise, developing closer business relations and exchanges together in the future. 

What do you like the most about Nepal? 

The people, as I feel connected with the people here in Nepal. 

Where do you think Nepal as a country should improve?

- Implementation of the constitution, which will allow diversity and help reduce poverty as well as economic development. 

- Nepal should have a sustainable tourism strategy. 

- Nepal should have more organized town planning given the rapid development that is taking place. 

- To be sensitive towards their cultural heritage such as houses and preserve them. 

Is there anything you have planned but yet to achieve? 

- Trekking in Upper Dolpa 

- To support the young people returning to Nepal through certain initiatives such as by may be supporting them to build their enterprises, etc. 

Personal Message

2021 has been a challenging year for all of us. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on Nepal and the global community, throwing us all in an extraordinary situation. In difficult times like these, we yet again learn how important solidarity and cooperation is, to know that we are together and can help each other overcome the crisis. 

With 62 years of close and cordial relationship between Switzerland and Nepal, we are proud to have stood in solidarity with the people of Nepal during these trying times. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you all who have been supporting our work and following Swiss diplomatic efforts. 

Let me also extend to you and your family a Happy Tihar and Chaat to all who are celebrating! 

Quick Questions

Favorite Nepali food: Newari food and Maithali food.
Favorite place in Nepal: Patan.
Favorite Nepali song: I like all kinds of Nepali melodies, I cannot decide as I like many.
Favorite trek in Nepal: I have enjoyed all the treks I have done in Nepal so far. The ones I have strong memories of are: Mundum Trail, Lo Manthang, and Tsum Valley. 
Favorite season in Nepal: All seasons are my favorite besides winter.
Favorite Nepali festival: Nepal is extremely rich in festivals and I like the diversity which makes this country so special.

H.E. Hanan Goder Goldberger, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal

What was your first impression of Nepal when you landed here as the Israeli Ambassador?

This is my second term of office as Ambassador in Nepal. My first impression was that Nepal is a very beautiful country, which is blessed by amazing nature and friendly people. 

What are the similarities between Nepal and Israel? 

Our two countries are small in size but have housed highest point on Earth “Sagarmatha” and lowest point “the Dead Sea” and have many beautiful touristic destinations. 

What are the three milestones you feel you have achieved as the Israeli Ambassador to Nepal? 

1. Human capacity building, 2.Transfer of technology through “Learn and Earn” agriculture training in Israel for Nepali marginalized farmers, and 3.Opening of Israel’s sky for Nepali migrant workers in the caregiving sector. 

How are the people-to-people relations between Nepal and Israel and how can the relationship be further enhanced? 

The people to people relations are excellent. There aren’t any Israeli families in Israel whose at least one member has not visited Nepal once in their lifetime. However, Nepal and Israel can work on multilateral levels to further deepen our good relationship. 

What do you like the most about Nepal? 

The beautiful mountains and the smiling people. 

Where do you think Nepal as a country should improve? 

Nepal should retain its youths in the country to engage them in development works and harness its water resources and tourism for further development. 

Is there anything you have planned but are yet to achieve in Nepal? 

I wish Nepal-Israel relations to be further consolidated at multilateral relations too.

Personal Message

Nepal and Israel are enjoying cordial relations since 1960. Israel will always remember the courageous and wise decision of the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Nepal BP Koirala to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Israel is supporting Nepal in human capacity building through various training programs. “Learn and Earn” program has helped in promoting modern farming systems in Nepal. Similarly, Nepali caregivers are very much liked by Israeli families to look after their elderly and differently abled family members. Nepal is one of the most famous touristic destinations for young Israelis for hiking. Nepal and Israel can work together in many fields from agriculture to education to space technology for the benefit of our two countries.

Quick Questions

Favorite Nepali food: Bhaktapur Juju dhou and Various Momo plates 
Favorite place in Nepal: Mustang, Langtang, Chitlang, Manang, Namche Bazar and many more 
Favorite Nepali song: Yo man ta mero Nepali Ho–Adrian Pradhan 
Favorite trek in Nepal: Langtang 
Favorite season in Nepal: Autumn and Spring 
Favorite Nepali festival: Tihar—festival of light 

H.E. Syed Haider Shah, Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal

What was your first impression when you landed here as the Pakistani ambassador?

The first impression was very positive. I found the capital city peaceful and people-friendly. The settling down process was also very smooth. The host government extended every possible assistance in the process. It was a very welcoming and accommodating setting for myself and my family. The feeling of familiarity and being welcomed took the edges off any residual sentiment of being in a new place.

What are the similarities between Nepal and Pakistan? 

Nepal and Pakistan are from the same South Asian region. The hilly areas of Pakistan in the north are not much different from those in Nepal. In fact, we usually compare Kathmandu with our hill stations due to the similarity of climate and living conditions. We are both developing nations in different stages of economic development. Our two countries are also bound together by historical links when our ancestors traversed these regions unhindered for meditation, livelihood or travel. The people of the two countries are hard-working and industrious. We both have a significant diaspora living and working abroad and helping their families back home. And most striking, there is natural affinity and warmth among the people of the two countries for each other.

What are the three milestones you feel you have achieved as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal?

Diplomacy by its very nature is a work in progress. It is a constant process of engagement, interaction, dialogue and understanding, articulation, and communication. Although I have been here for a relatively very short time, thanks to the stellar contribution of our embassy team and our Nepalese friends and colleagues, we have managed to reach out and contribute to deepening the Nepal-Pakistan friendship in whatever way we could. We organized a T-20 Cricket tournament earlier this spring. We have sponsored the launch of a book on the Buddhist heritage of Pakistan with the help of a Nepalese scholar, Mr. Om Charan Amatya, and we have extended medical assistance including for Covid-19. scholarships, and other assistance to those in need. There has been an exchange of mountaineering teams - Nepalese teams set up a world record in January this year by scaling K-2 for the first time in winters, and Pakistan’s youngest mountaineer climbed Mount Everest a few months later. Our defense cooperation has also been going on well.

How are the people-to-people relations between Nepal and Pakistan and how can they be further enhanced? 

The people-to-people relations between the two countries are good. We are trying to deepen them further. We are in the process of enhancing the number of scholarships for Nepalese students for their studies in Pakistan. We are also working on facilitating tourists and other visitors from Nepal to visit Pakistan. We are also exploring ways to further ease connectivity between the two countries. Nonetheless, there remains a great deal of scope for further expanding contacts at the people-to-people level. We hope that once the Covid-19 situation eases a bit, it would allow further increase in two-way travel between our two countries.

What do you like the most about Nepal? 

I like the people of Nepal as well as the landscape. It seems that the peace, serenity, and beauty of the landscape have seeped into and radiated through its people. The tranquility and harmony in which life coexists with nature leave an indelible impression on the mind and soul. That perhaps explains why Nepal continues to rivet the attention of tourists from all across the globe.

Where do you think Nepal as a country should improve?

As a developing country, the challenges faced by Nepal are not dissimilar from those other countries with comparable levels of development face. Climate change and infrastructure development are issues that are, by and large, common to this region. Similarly, socio-economic development remains a priority in the South Asian region. I am sure the leadership in Nepal is up to the task ahead of them and would address the challenges faced by the country in the best possible manner. Pakistan stands ready to continue to assist our Nepalese brothers and sisters in their path to development and prosperity.

Is there anything you have planned but are yet to achieve in Nepal? 

Well, the sky is the limit as far as plans are concerned! We are working with our Nepalese hosts and friends to further deepen and expand our bilateral relations in different fields, including people-to-people contacts, socio-economic, political, and defense relations. We hope to further increase the political level exchanges between the two countries. The covid pandemic has had a slowing effect on bilateral and other contacts worldwide. We hope that as the threat of pandemic recedes further, there would be an uptick in diplomatic activity in all the fields I pointed out.

Personal Message

Nepal conjures feelings of sublimity, peace, and hospitality reinforced by the confluence of nature and civilization. Meandering through its hills, mountains, or landscape, one feels the stillness of time, transporting us to a different era. This natural beauty brimming with a soulful appeal is accentuated by the friendliness and warmth of its people. When we trek through its terrain, we relive the traditions of travelers who were pulled by its magnetic charm. I wish Nepal every success in its developmental journey towards prosperity for all, so that it continues to embrace all visitors with the same radiant and charming smile.

Quick Questions

Favorite Nepali food: Momo 
Favorite place in Nepal: Nagarkot and Pokhara 
Favorite Nepali song: Phul Butte Sari 
Favorite trek in Nepal: Shivapuri trek 
Favorite season in Nepal: Monsoon 
Favorite Nepali festival: Dashain

Various youth groups have been demanding the revoking of taxes on menstrual hygiene products. Right now, 13 percent VAT is added to the price of menstrual hygiene products in Nepal, where accessibility and affordability of these products are low. Local manufacturers fear the removal of such taxes may flood the market with imported products.

Punit Kumar Sarda, CEO of Sarda Group, the parent company of Nepal’s first menstrual hygiene product manufacturer, Jasmine Hygiene Products, talked to Priyanjali Karn of ApEx on the manufacture and the taxation issues over sanitary products.

Can Nepal’s menstrual hygiene products alone meet local demand?

Yes, the local manufacturers of menstrual hygiene pads can meet the demand of all women and menstruating individuals in Nepal. We don’t need to depend on imported products.

The government hasn’t increased taxes on these products as it acknowledges that menstrual hygiene products are basic needs. The government has also been providing a 95 percent subsidy on raw materials needed to locally manufacture menstrual hygiene products.  

Why have the prices of menstrual products been hiked if the VAT hasn’t been increased?

Imported products don't disclose the maximum retail price. That allows retailers and local shops to hike prices as consumers don’t have direct access to manufacturing companies. The companies themselves haven’t increased the prices. 

The local manufacturers, however, have to mention the MRP, manufacture date, expiration date, name, and company contact on the packets of menstrual products and it is not easy for retailers to increase prices.

What would happen if the VAT on menstrual products is removed?

If the government revokes VAT, which is paid at the point of sale, the local manufacturers of menstrual hygiene products will be at a loss. They will still need to pay their taxes. But the retailers, on the other hand, will make more profits. This will lead to the downfall of local manufacturers as imported products will then flood the market.

Even if the government removes the VAT, the cost of a packet of pads may come down from Rs 40 to Rs 20, for example. But then we are assuming that those who couldn’t spend Rs 40 will be able to spend Rs 20, which may not be the case.

Also read: What if… sanitary pads were made free?

Why are menstrual hygiene products still branded as luxury items instead of essential items?

Menstrual products aren’t considered luxury products. Everyone knows menstrual products are essential and that is why the government is trying its best to supply them for free in schools and help local manufacturers minimize prices, mainly by supporting import of raw materials.

Why are most Nepali consumers more inclined to imported menstrual hygiene products over local one?

It is a stereotypical belief that products made in Nepal are not as good as imported ones. But if they weren’t good, why would Jasmine Hygiene Products still be selling after 15 years? We sell a product whose quality matches that of imported pads. Like any other company, we do have a price range, starting with the minimum of Rs 40. All products are of good quality and do the job just fine.