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The Ministry of Health and Population has said that Nepal falls under the risk of infection of monkeypox (mpox).

According to Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki, the infection is spreading rapidly in neighboring India and in this context, Nepal too is vulnerable to it.

Last year, one 60-year-old foreigner (female) was diagnosed with the mpox virus in Nepal.

The Ministry has already consulted with the experts concerned regarding preparations required for its prevention.

Budhathoki said that health desks based along the air and border transits and the federal, provincial and local levels have been instructed to remain vigilant to the infection risk and take measures accordingly. 

The Ministry has designated hospitals and doctors in all seven provinces for the prevention and management of the infection.

Since the past few days, the African country Congo is battling with Clade 1b. This variant of mpox is considered to be deadly. Since January this year, it has killed 548 people.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a health emergency over the spread of the virus.

Mpox spreads through direct contact with the infected person or animal, skin-to-skin contact with mpox rash or scabs from an infected, contact with fluid and saliva from the body of an infected, clothing, towels, beddings or objects used by the infected.

Fever, skin rash and bumps in between one and three days of the infection which appears in the face, palm and feet as well, headache, muscle ache, bone ache, chills, and swollen lymph nodes are the symptoms of mpox. It may lead to the loss of eyesight, pneumonia, brain fever, miscarriage (among pregnant) and even death.

The Ministry has hoped for a high level of cooperation from the civic- level in terms of adopting health protocols to prevent the risk which is, as the Ministry said, possible, if the civic are ready for that. 

The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Business Summit, first of its kind, took place in New Delhi from Aug 6-8. For Nepal, the summit was an opportunity to showcase commitment to regional collaboration and to engage with key stakeholders; a pivotal moment for exploring new avenues for economic and educational partnerships.

Founded in 1997, BIMSTEC was designed to promote collaboration among South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. The event attracted a diverse range of leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, all gathered to discuss and strategize on the future of economic cooperation in the region, underscoring the increasing importance of regional partnerships and collective action in driving sustainable development.

A highlight of the summit was the presence of the Nepali delegation, which included the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, and leading Nepali businesspeople such as President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Dhakal, Senior Vice-president Anjan Shrestha, former president Bhawani Rana and Shesh Raj Bhattarai, President of the Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) among others.

Bhattarai says, “The summit was a pivotal event, gathering some of the most influential figures and thought leaders from South and Southeast Asia.”

While Rana highlighted the urgent need to enhance women’s access to capital, skills development, and mentorship and advocated for leveraging the full potential of women to drive regional economic growth and foster inclusive development.

Similarly, senior Vice-president Shrestha detailed strategies to improve educational infrastructure by advocating for advanced institutions and regional collaboration to enhance learning outcomes and innovation. Shrestha also proposed significant advancements in healthcare, emphasizing the potential of telemedicine and digital health solutions. 

They offered insights into the blue and mountain economies, discussing how sustainable practices in managing marine and mountainous resources could drive economic growth for Nepal, Bhutan, and India. They proposed establishing an MSME Development Center within BIMSTEC to support micro, small, and medium enterprises with resources and training, thus enhancing their growth and contribution to the regional economy.

One of the summit’s major accomplishments was the establishment of the BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce, a development that promises to enhance economic collaboration and integration among member countries. 

In the summit, Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal emerged as a central figure, delivering a presentation that emphasized India’s growing role as a global economic leader. Goyal’s address outlined a vision for how Nepal could enhance its role within the BIMSTEC framework, particularly in the tourism sector. He emphasized the potential for Nepal to become a leading destination in the region, leveraging its unique assets to drive growth and collaboration among BIMSTEC countries. 

Bhattarai of ECAN addresses some areas that could benefit from improvement to enhance Nepal’s future participation, such as the noticeable absence of experts and financial commentators from Nepal. He suggests their presence could enrich discussions and provide valuable insights, showcasing Nepal’s engagement with global economic issues. Additionally, the Nepal Embassy in New Delhi could play a more proactive role in facilitating Nepal’s involvement.

Bhattarai also suggests holding better pre-event briefings that would ensure delegates are well-aligned with the summit’s objectives and post-event follow-ups that would help capitalize on the opportunities and connections created. “This approach would also facilitate better evaluation and planning for future engagements,” he says.

In view of the recent developments in Bangladesh, Nepal has increased vigilance in the border areas.

Vigilance along with additional forces has been increased in the border areas and international transit points to avoid infiltration and illegal entry of foreign nationals.

Following directives of the Central Security Committee, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force of Nepal have stated that a circular has been issued to subordinate units to strengthen the security by increasing personnel based on need and to adopt high vigilance along with the assessment of the situation.

Spokesperson of Nepal Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki, said that the security system has been bolstered by deploying additional forces along with the currently deployed security personnel. "Security personnel have been instructed to be alert at the airport and entry and exit points, especially in the Tarai and areas bordering with neighboring India, and make security arrangements after assessing potential risks."

Likewise, spokesperson of Armed Police Force Nepal, Deputy Inspector General Kumar Neupane, shared that security has been strengthened by increasing personnel in the border areas while remaining alert to the infiltration of people from other countries.

Ambassador of Egypt to Nepal, Noha Elgebaly said Egypt would extend all possible support to Nepal in attaining its goal of upgrading to a developing country in November 2026.

Addressing a reception hosted on Tuesday evening with Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav as the chief guest on the occasion of the National Day of Egypt, the Ambassador said that Egypt would help Nepal smoothly transition to the status of a developing country.

Saying that Egypt wants Nepal's socio-economic progress and political stability, she said Egypt and Nepal have been collaborating on the issues of shared concerns in multilateral forums, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), G-77 and the United Nations.

Noting Egypt and Nepal share partnership on issues of mutual interest, including climate change, Ambassador Elgebaly said NAM's founding member Nepal is a close friend of Egypt.

The bilateral relations have been further strengthened since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Nepal in 1957, she said, adding the Pyramids of Egypt and the Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) of Nepal have become the attractions for tourists from all over the world.

Egypt, the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Nepal, has offered opportunities to 300 Nepali students for higher studies, she said she was committed to increasing the scholarship quota in the future.

The Ambassador also informed that the consultative mechanism between the two countries would soon take a decision in this regard.

She further said the two countries still have a lot to do in the areas of economic partnership, investment and trade. The 1962 Revolution had turned to be the driver of Egypt's development, Ambassador Elgebaly said the National Day had inspired the people of her country to move forward on the path of continuous development while maintaining the glorious history.

Heads and officials of diplomatic missions, high-ranking officials of the government, entrepreneurs and senior media persons were present on the occasion.  

Nepal suffered a trade deficit of Rs 1,440 billion while carrying out a foreign trade of total Rs 1,745 billion in the last fiscal year 2023/24.

As per the foreign trade statistics of the last fiscal year released by the Department of Customs, the country imported goods worth Rs 592 billion during the period while it exported goods worth Rs 152 billion.

The import-export and overall foreign deficit has decreased in the fiscal year as compared to previous fiscal year, reads the statistics. 

The trade deficit had reached Rs 1,768 billion in the fiscal year 2022/23 while importing goods worth Rs 1,611 billion and exporting goods worth Rs 157 billion.  The foreign trade deficit was Rs 1,454 billion in the previous fiscal year.

The import was decreased by 1.16 percent, export by 3.03 percent, overall foreign trade by 1.33 percent and foreign trade deficit by 0.96 percent in the last fiscal year as compared to previous fiscal year. The ratio of the last fiscal year is equal to 10.45 per cent.

India remained Nepal's largest trading partner, Nepal had a trade deficit of Rs 893.17 billion with India in the last fiscal year. Nepal had imported goods worth Rs 996.68 billion while it exported goods worth Rs 103.17 billion.

Nepal's second largest trade deficit is with China amounting to Rs 296.18 billion. Nepal imported goods worth Rs 298.77 billion while exported goods worth Rs 258.8 million.

Similarly, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and Malaysia are in third, fourth and fifth position respectively with Nepal bearing the most trade deficit.

Nepal makes highest profit in trade with Denmark

During the last fiscal year, Nepal achieved its highest trade profit in transactions with Denmark.  It witnessed a profit of Rs 467.05 million with Denmark while the imports were valued at Rs 354.05 million followed by the exports worth Rs 822.01 million.

The second-highest trade profit was recorded with Afghanistan, amounting to Rs 466 million. Nepal imported goods worth Rs 27.6 million from Afghanistan and exported goods valued at Rs 493.06 million.

In terms of imports, petroleum products were the highest, with diesel worth Rs 143.97 billion, petrol worth Rs 68.10 billion, and LPG (cooking gas) worth Rs 55.61 billion.

Imports of iron products amounted to Rs 39.03 billion, while smartphones accounted for Rs 28.66 billion in imports.

Likewise, Nepal imported gold worth Rs 23.65 billion.

During the period Nepal exported various goods such as carpets, cardamom, fruit products, and steel items. It exported carpets worth Rs 10.57 billion, and cardamom worth Rs 7.93 billion.

Nepal has been experiencing chronic political instability for years, primarily due to disputes between major political parties over power-sharing arrangements. Internal strife and petty fights within and among the parties for power have brought frequent changes in government formed as a result of compromise between major parties and fringe parties, especially after the adoption of a federal democratic republic polity, disappointing a people aspiring for stability, progress and prosperity for long. Ruling coalitions, formed to seize or hold onto power, have long been a feature of Nepal's political landscape. Although this coalition-based system occasionally promotes cooperative government, it frequently results in conflicts and instability.

The clash

In Nepal, coalition administrations are the result of partnerships between several parties. More often than not, practical realities and not shared ideologies are behind ruling coalitions involving major parties like the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Center) and their junior partners. Due to a proportional representation system, which guarantees even smallest parties a place in the legislature, coalition-building becomes necessary. Although this system stipulated in the Constitution encourages diversity and representation, it also results in fragmented mandates, which necessitate ruling coalitions. In such alliances, conflicts often emerge around the assignment of ministerial responsibilities. Junior coalition partners feel left behind and charge the bigger parties with controlling important positions. Policy goals differ significantly, especially when it comes to foreign policy, federalism and economic changes.

Implications

A decade-long war has caused paralysis in governance. National development initiatives and economic recovery have suffered due to delays in crucial legislative and policy choices. Political unrest discourages foreign investment and has an impact on tourism, hitting the national economy hard. Business confidence has also decreased because of prolonged uncertainty. Frequent conflicts among ruling coalitions for power and prolonged instability have reduced public confidence in the democratic system. 

Way forward

Political observers predict that communication and compromise will be necessary to end disputes involving coalitions by ensuring the participation of all coalition participants in decision-making processes. The idea behind this exercise is to alleviate deep-entrenched feelings of marginalization. Creating a precise policy framework that describes the coalition's goals and tactics will aid in minimizing policy divergences. Coalition partners can avoid miscommunication and disagreements by having explicit, documented agreements that specify power-sharing arrangements, policy goals and dispute resolution procedures. Stability depends on creating strong democratic institutions capable of resolving disputes and guaranteeing that coalition standards are followed. Ideological differences may be closed and collaboration can be fostered by encouraging political parties to engage in consensus-building and communication. Restoring public participation in political processes can aid in restoring trust and guarantee that public officials remain answerable to their citizens.

Disputes within coalition governments bring to light the difficulties coalition politics inherently faces in a fast changing and varied political environment. Coalition governments encourage diversity and representation, but they also need careful handling of conflicting interests and power relationships. In order to ensure a stable and efficient government as Nepal moves closer to consolidating its democracy, it will be important to address these issues through unambiguous agreements, institutional development and consensus-building. 

The inherent difficulties of coalition politics are exemplified by conflicting goals and ideologies within Nepal’s ruling coalitions. In a multiparty democracy, ruling coalitions are necessary, such coalitions should have an appetite for compromise and the proclivity to put the greater good of the country above petty gains. Nepal’s political leaders should have the capacity to overcome these obstacles to foster political stability and long-term growth as the country continues on its democratic path. Conflicts within Nepal’s coalition administrations are a reflection of the larger difficulties of governing in a pluralistic democracy that is undergoing transformation. 

In a political environment marked by fragmented power, ruling coalitions are necessary, but they call for mutual respect, a careful balance of power and a common commitment to the advancement of the country. Nepal's future depends on the existing coalition’s capacity to resolve internal conflicts and provide stable administration. Notwithstanding obstacles on the way, a more stable and prosperous Nepal can be achieved through dedication and sincere cooperation.

Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by six wickets in their first match of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup on Friday.

The match was held at the Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka.

Chasing the target of 116 runs, Nepal made it in 16.1 overs at the loss of four wickets.

Samjhana Khadka was the top scorer for Nepal with 72 runs. She hit 11 fours in her 45-ball innings.

Likewise, Rubina Chhetri scored 10 runs while other batters failed to score in double digits.

For the UAE, Kavisha Egodage took three wickets while Lavanya Kenny claimed one wicket.

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, the UAE scored 115 runs at the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.

Indu Barma took the highest three wickets for Nepal. Kritika Marasini, Sabnam Rai and Kabita Joshi claimed one wicket each.

Nepal will play their second match against Pakistan on July 21.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated newly-appointed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

In a congratulatory message sent to PM Oli today, the Indian Prime Minister expressed the confidence that there will be more coordination and collaboration between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi stated in the message that a strong bond of friendship subsists between the citizens of the two countries due to the centuries-old culture and civilization and the open border they share.

Noting that the two countries have made a significant progress in connectivity and energy, among other sectors, in recent times, the Indian Prime Minister urged his Nepali counterpart for partnership and collaboration in the overall development of both.

"Nepal remains a special and priority partner under India's 'neighbors first' policy. There is a commitment to remain an unwavering partner for achieving economic development as well as prosperity of Nepal, strengthening the partnership on matters of our mutual benefit and charting out a new path," the Indian Prime Minister said in his congratulatory message.

He further said: "Our bilateral partnership will rise further and we are willing to work closely for fulfilling the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries with assurances of collaboration."

The Indian Prime Minister expressed the belief that ties between the two friendly nations will be further strengthened and the collaboration moved ahead in the positive direction by the leadership and experience of the newly-appointed Prime Minister Oli.

Nepal’s economic situation is still in a  bad shape. According to the International Monetary Fund, the GDP growth is expected to recover modestly to 3.1 percent in the fiscal year 2023/24 from a weak two percent growth in the previous fiscal year. This achievement was made mainly  due to strong performance of export-oriented sectors and supported by increased agricultural production. 

IMF says capital spending is still weak, however, and imports are recovering only gradually, with year-on-year growth still negative. Political uncertainty continues to act as a headwind to growth. But the bright side is Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have come together to ensure political stability which is likely to contribute to the recovery. 

Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index hit a 26-month high and breached the psychological 2,300-point mark on Tuesday. The stock market rally coincided with CPN-UML Vice-chairperson Bishnu Prasad Paudel’s return to the finance ministry for his third stint as the finance minister. The stock market rally bodes well for Paudel who has inherited a troubled economy. The government has struggled to increase capital expenditure, stimulate loan demand, boost private sector confidence and make the market dynamic. 

Paudel needs to restore investor confidence and stimulate economic growth. He has signaled his intent to focus on production and employment which is necessary given the current state of Nepal’s economy.  The banking sector has seen only a five percent increase in credit growth which is far below the government’s target of 11 percent. The sluggish credit growth is indicative of a broader economic malaise that Paudel must address.

The new finance minister also needs to tackle the issue of idle capital in the banking sector. With banks sitting on approximately Rs 700bn of loanable funds, Paudel needs to create an environment conducive to investment. This will be possible only through policy reforms and by bringing different initiatives to boost investor confidence and create opportunities for investments.

Effective implementation of the new fiscal budget will be another significant challenge for the new finance minister. Paudel must navigate the complexities of implementing a budget prepared by his predecessor. The fact that Paudel’s party, UML, publicly expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the budget will make things further complicated for Paudel.

Minister Paudel also faces the challenge of improving public expenditure management and revenue collection. With capital expenditure falling short and revenue collection missing targets once again in the fiscal year 2023/24, Paudel must find ways to enhance government spending capacity and boost revenue streams for the government. 

Infrastructure development will be another challenging issue for Paudel. The Federation of Contractors Associations of Nepal (FCAN), the industry lobby of construction entrepreneurs, has claimed that the government owes contractors around Rs 40bn billion for completed works. It remains to be seen how Paudel resolves this issue and kick-starts new infrastructure projects which are crucial for economic growth and job creation.

Paudel must also address the challenges in the financial markets. The process of appointing a new chairperson for the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) has seen legal complexities. Many are saying that this contributed to the failure of the ruling coalition of UML and CPN (Maoist Center). The new finance minister will need to handle this issue carefully to ensure stability in the stock market which is often described as a mirror of the economy.

The new finance minister will also need to tackle inflation and maintain price stability. This will require careful management of monetary policy in coordination with the central bank. The finance minister enjoys a good rapport with Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari who was appointed by the government led by his party.  

The finance minister will need to demonstrate strong leadership and implement effective policies to regain public and investor confidence. For this, he will have to introduce investor-friendly policies, streamline bureaucratic processes, combat corruption and improve the overall business environment. Additionally, he will need to work closely with other government agencies, the private sector, and international development partners to implement comprehensive economic reforms.

Paudel’s previous experience as finance minister in 2015 and 2021-2022 may prove valuable in navigating these challenges. However, overcoming these obstacles will require not only experience but also innovation, determination, and the ability to build consensus among various stakeholders.

The campaign to make Changunarayan municipality in the Bhaktapur district an avocado city has continued this year. As part of the ‘Changunarayan – Avocado City campaign,’ which started last year, free avocado seedlings are being distributed to city residents again. Last year, the campaign, which focuses on planting programs during the rainy season, distributed about 7,000 avocado plants free of charge to all city wards.

Before the Agricultural Research Center opened at Pakhribas in Dhankuta, the British brought avocados to Nepal during a feasibility study in 2014. Five years ago, Dhankuta Municipality declared the city the avocado capital to encourage commercial cultivation. The municipality conducted a baseline survey to promote commercial avocado farming and then worked on declaring the Avocado Capital, establishing an avocado image, organizing a festival, and improving nurseries.

However, these campaigners haven’t considered the relationship between avocado trees and water. Yes, avocados are in high demand, but growing them uses a lot of water. According to the Water Footprint Network, it takes about 283 liters of water to produce one kilogram of avocados. This water is from irrigation, not rainfall. On average, about 70 liters of applied water are needed to grow just one avocado.

Research by Bio Resources indicates that avocado plantations significantly impact water resources. Intensive irrigation of plantations can deplete local groundwater, threatening the water supply of local populations and farmers. The expansion of avocado plantations can lead to competition with local food crops for water, impacting the food security of local communities. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in avocado orchards can pollute water and affect the quality of drinking water and aquatic ecosystems.

In 2023, Kenya exported 4,050 kilograms of avocados to Nepal. In 2021, Nepal imported avocados worth nearly $350,000, a 100 percent increase from the previous year. From July 2023 to May 2024, Nepal imported 177,260 kilograms of avocados worth Rs 786,680,000 from Uganda. This generated Rs 25,272,000 in revenue. The average price of imported avocados is Rs 587 per kilogram.

Why are avocados so popular in Nepal? Are Nepali people becoming wealthier or more health-conscious? Avocados, originally from Mexico, have become a favorite worldwide, including in Nepal.

Avocados are popular due to their nutritional benefits. It is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. It’s packed with potassium, folate, and fiber, essential for heart health and contains vitamin C, vitamin E, and lutein, which protect cells and reduce inflammation. Despite being calorie-dense, the fiber and fats in avocados help you feel full and support weight management.

The story of avocados in Nepal begins in the United Kingdom. European researchers and visitors introduced avocados to Nepal through the UK-funded Pakhribas Agriculture Research Centre nearly three decades ago. Since then, this nutrition-rich fruit has been embraced and celebrated in the region.

In the 1950s, avocados were introduced to India, starting in Kerala. By the 1980s, cultivation spread to Maharashtra and Karnataka. Farmers saw the economic potential and growing demand for this nutritious fruit. Nepal, with its varied landscapes, found avocados adaptable to different climates. In recent years, avocados have gained popularity in the hilly regions of Nepal, especially in Dhankuta. They are now widely available in local markets and are used in traditional dishes, salads, and smoothies.

Besides avocados, other fruits like kiwi are gaining popularity in Nepal. These fruits offer incredible health benefits and are changing the nutrition landscape in the country.

Avocados are more than just tasty fruits. They are a nutritional powerhouse. Including avocados in your diet can benefit your health in many ways. Whether mashed on toast or blended into a smoothie, avocados are a delicious and healthy addition to your meals. As you enjoy these benefits, remember the environmental impact and the cost involved. Stay healthy, stay vibrant, and keep exploring the wonders of nutrition.

My connection with avocados

About 32 years ago, a Nepali Burmese opened a hotel called Avocado in Hetauda, which sparked much discussion due to its unique name. More recently, my company was one of the largest users of avocados, catering to 81 airlines and some of the world’s biggest events, such as the FIFA World Cup, Formula 1, Euro Cup, and ATP Tennis. Avocados are always popular on our menus because they are healthy, versatile, and vegan-friendly, and we always include one or two avocado dishes. Personally, I love avocado as a spread and have developed my own special recipe called ‘Thicheko Avocado Chutney.’

Thicheko Avocado Chutney

Ingredients

•       3 ripe avocados

•       1 lemon, juiced

•       1 teaspoon salt

•       1 diced onion

•       3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

•       2 tomatoes, diced

•       1 teaspoon minced garlic

•       1 pinch timmur pepper (optional)

•       Raw mustard oil

•       Roasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a mixing bowl.

Use a fork to mash the avocados to your desired consistency.

Add the lemon juice and salt to the mashed avocados. Mix well to combine.

Add the diced onion, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, and minced garlic to the bowl. Stir everything together.

If you like a bit of a Nepali touch, add a pinch of ground timmur pepper and mix it in.

Add a drizzle of raw mustard oil.

Taste the chutney and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more lime juice or salt to taste.

Serve immediately as a side dish or cover with plastic wrap (pressed directly onto the surface of the chutney) and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Sometimes, I finish with a roasted sesame seed topping for variety.

The author is UK-based research and development chef

Academia-industry cooperation is the symbiotic relationship between academic institutions (academia) and the industrial sector (industry) through collaborative efforts and partnerships. The shared knowledge and expertise accessed through such cooperation can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in academic settings and the practical applications of industries. Together, academic institutions and industries can co-create solutions to overcome pressing challenges by fostering partnerships and embracing best practices.

Academia-industry collaboration holds immense potential for driving innovation, economic growth and sustainable development. Industries continue to resort to private consulting firms that charge hefty amounts for advice or services in specialized areas. The collaboration between academia and industry would facilitate a mutual relationship, wherein industries seek consultation from experts in academia to leverage their knowledge and skills. Consequently, academic institutions and industries can co-create solutions to address the country’s pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges by overcoming challenges, fostering partnerships, and embracing best practices. Simultaneously, it eliminates the necessity for students to seek employment abroad because such collaborations hold the potential to generate employment opportunities domestically.

Different models and approaches to foster collaboration between academia and industry have been adopted across the globe. Distinguished companies like General Electric, Rolls-Royce, Siemens and IBM have collaborated with universities for years. Toyota’s research institute collaborates with Stanford University’s Artificial Intelligence Lab to advance research in artificial intelligence and automotive safety. Inside the University of Cincinnati Innovation Hub, Procter & Gamble has launched a Digital Accelerator. Beyond simulation, the facility is applied to solve business challenges. Many students have gained full-time employment at P&G following their time working at the Digital Accelerator. Companies like Amazon, Facebook and Google have also ventured into this domain and started collaborating with academic institutions around the world.

Industries drive the economy and industrial development drives economic prosperity. With the industrial sector contributing a mere 14.29 percent to GDP, Nepal’s economy is facing major headwinds. The projected growth rate is only 4.1 percent in 2023, down from 5.8 percent last year, the situation is critical. A high unemployment rate (19 percent) and a staggering student outflow (21.6 percent) paint a grim picture. Capital outflow worth Rs 47.35bn owing to Nepali students going abroad to pursue foreign education has already been recorded in the first five months of the current fiscal (2023-24). This exodus of students seeking education abroad is largely driven by the fear of limited job opportunities back home. Nepal needs a collaborative effort to address these interconnected issues to create a larger labor market. Only through such collaborative efforts can Nepal hope to navigate its current economic challenges.

Despite the potential benefits, academia-industry collaboration in Nepal faces challenges that hinder effective partnership-building and knowledge exchange. Kathmandu University has pioneered this initiative with the motto of taking knowledge and skills “from the campus to the community” by establishing the “Academia Industry Cooperation” at Kathmandu University (AICKU) under the esteemed office of the Vice-chancellor to bridge the gap between university and industry. AICKU identifies potential industry partners and establishes strategies for collaborations through joint research projects, conferences, and meetings. It also facilitates the mechanism for technology transfer, licensing and commercialization of research output.  Recently, AICKU successfully conducted “Academia Industry Meet 2023” where stakeholders from academia, industry and government sectors came under the same roof and discussed current challenges followed by possible solutions. Additionally, Kathmandu University has started a KU Employment Promotion Program to provide job opportunities to 80 top graduates per year and equip them with skills to compete in the global market. AICKU has also signed agreements with different industries to provide internships and job opportunities to students of the university. Recently, it facilitated the different research centers and labs of KU for the following projects.

• “Pilot Scale Green Ammonia Production in Nepal for Contribution to Domestic Economy and Better Utilization of Hydropower Electricity” with the Nepal Electricity Authority.

• “Feasibility Study of Green Urea Plant in Nepal” with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

• “Condition Monitoring of Hydropower Plants in Nepal” with Nepal Electricity Authority.

Looking ahead, AICKU plans to establish mechanisms for technology transfer, licensing, and commercialization of research outputs. Collaboration with the Business Incubation Center for the promotion of entrepreneurial ideas of students, faculties and researchers is well underway. With its long-term goal to foster a seamless transition from academia to the workforce, AICKU is emerging as a beacon of collaboration, laying the foundation for mutually beneficial relationships between academia and industry to shape a prosperous future for Nepal.

Despite these efforts of KU, a joint effort through other universities as well as stakeholders is needed to achieve the aim of enhanced synergy. There are many hurdles in the path such as limited research funding for the university, regulatory and administrative issues due to complex bureaucratic procedures and outdated regulations, differences in priorities, timelines, and expectations between involved stakeholders, limited technical expertise, infrastructures and research facilities, and institutional barriers. A new initiation is essential to combat the difficulties and fulfill the objectives of academia-industry collaborations. At first, policy reforms are essential from the government level to promote academia-industry collaboration, innovation, and technology commercialization. Through collaborative efforts, Nepal can not only harness its full potential to build a prosperous and resilient future for its people, but also solve the problems of youth retention and unemployment.

Views are personal

Dear readers,

Nepal’s coalition politics continued to dominate the headlines this week. With the secret agreement between KP Sharma Oli of CPN-UML and Sher Bahadur Deuba of Nepali Congress pushing the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government into minority, Dahal is set to face a trust vote in Parliament today. Despite being likely to lose his seat, Dahal has been working hard to put up a fight, engaging fringe parties to secure their votes.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has pledged its support to Dahal, keeping its ministers in place to bolster his plan to face Parliament. The CPN (Unified Socialist) has also decided to support Dahal, who is working to revive the ‘socialist forum’, a network of communist parties opposing big parties like NC and UML. But, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party has decided not to vote for PM Dahal. 

Despite Dahal’s efforts, he is expected to lose the vote of confidence, bringing the focus to the new government formation process. The NC and UML have decided that the President should initiate this process according to Article 76(2) of the Constitution, which involves forming a coalition government of two or more political parties.

If President Ram Chandra Paudel calls for this, Oli could become prime minister by Monday. However, the Maoists and fringe parties argue that if the current government fails to secure a vote of confidence, Article 76 (3) should apply. This article states that the President shall appoint the parliamentary leader of the party with the highest number of lawmakers, meaning Deuba could be appointed prime minister instead of Oli. How Oli and Deuba navigate this issue remains to be seen. If the President adopts 76(3) to form a new government, he is likely to be dragged into the controversy so he is likely to take a few days to consult with legal experts. 

Political parties and legal experts are divided on the government formation process. The President may consult legal experts and is likely to call on parties to form a government based on Article 76 (2), as there are precedents. However, any decision by the President is likely to be challenged in the Supreme Court, making the coming week crucial.

As the NC and UML prepare to form a new government, there is speculation about potential ministerial appointments. Within the NC, rumors suggest that Deuba’s wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, might become the foreign minister, and Ramesh Lekhak might become the home minister. Formal discussions to select ministers are likely to be limited, with Deuba making final decisions in consultation with senior leaders Shekhar Koirala, Gagan Thapa and Krishna Prasad Sitaula.

On the UML front, although there are standards for selecting ministers, past records show these are rarely implemented. Ultimately, Oli, who maintains strong control over the party, will finalize the list of ministers. The number of fringe parties joining the NC-UML government remains uncertain, but their support might be crucial for constitutional amendments.

The issue of constitutional amendments has stirred political circles. Oli has clarified that while there is a tentative agreement on amendments, no specifics or agreements on forming a commission for this purpose have been reached. NC General Secretary has stated that amending the Constitution requires a broad consensus from all political parties.

Next week will be hectic for politicians as they work to form the government and select ministers. NC and UML leaders have already started informal preparations for the new government’s policies and priorities. Both parties face the challenge of quickly forming the cabinet to avoid public pessimism. Deuba and Oli need to work diligently to maintain party unity, as dissatisfaction with ministerial appointments could lead to government collapse. A democratic and consultative approach is essential for managing internal party differences and ensuring the government’s longevity. Coordination between the government and party is key, and Oli and Dahal must make their collaborative efforts more effective. Although the agreement between NC and UML is promising, the lack of internal consultations and discussions may hinder its success.

Another notable story this week was the expulsion of Mukul Dhakal as the RSP general secretary for alleged disciplinary violations, though he remains an ordinary member. Dhakal responded to the party’s decision by holding a press conference where he accused party chair, Rabi Lamichhane, of passport fraud and misappropriation of cooperative funds. Opinions on Dhakal’s expulsion are divided, with some viewing it as growing  political intolerance within the RSP and others seeing Dhakal’s behavior as anarchic. Dhakal’s expulsion and his allegations come as a huge blow to the emerging party that enjoys considerable public support.

In provincial politics, all provincial governments except Koshi and Madhes are set to undergo another shakeup following the NC-UML alliance. The UML has already withdrawn its support for the provincial governments in Lumbini and Bagmati provinces. Forming new provincial governments may take time as the NC and UML focus on the federal government.

Meanwhile, the monsoon season has brought heavy rains, causing floods and landslides that have blocked highways and disrupted transportation, leading to a spike in vegetable prices in Kathmandu. Kanchanpur experienced severe flooding on July 8, recording the heaviest rainfall in 78 years. A government representative has been sent to investigate the situation, highlighting the impact of climate change on rainfall patterns.

Also this week, a parliamentary committee traveled to Pokhara to investigate alleged corruption in the construction of Pokhara International Airport. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority is already conducting its own investigation. It’s crucial that this issue is handled impartially to avoid politicization. The newly constructed airport in Bhaktapur’s Nalinchowk also drew attention this week, as pilots refused to fly there due to security concerns, indicating haphazard infrastructure development without proper study.

That’s all for this week. I’ll be back with more updates next week. 

Have a great weekend!

Nepal faces a critical issue: A significant number of its youth are leaving the country due to the lack of employment opportunities that match their qualifications and interests. Work is essential for human survival, yet the Nepali job market fails to recognize and retain its talented youth. It struggles to offer appropriate remuneration, security and facilities, making it difficult for the country to retain its skilled and capable young workforce. Government rhetoric focuses on presenting data on youth migration and providing false hopes to those abroad, without implementing relevant policies to retain its own talents within the country. 

Global frameworks on labor

Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948 states that everyone has the right to work under just and favorable conditions and to protection against unemployment. Article 6 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 1976 further emphasizes the right to work, including the opportunity for individuals to gain a livelihood through freely chosen work. Article 7 ensures the right to just and favorable work conditions, including fair wages, safe working environment and reasonable working hours whereas Article 8 confirms the right to form trade unions. Various International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions also cover issues like minimum wages, industrial relations, employment policy, social dialogue and social security.

Nepal ratified the ICESCR in 1991 but has ratified only some of the ILO standards.

National frameworks

The Constitution of Nepal defines a laborer as someone, who performs work for an employer in exchange for remuneration. Article 34 stipulates that every laborer has the right to appropriate work, fair pay, social security and the ability to form and join trade unions. The Labour Act of 2017 establishes minimum labor standards, including an eight-hour workday and 48 hours/week. It aims to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions and social security benefits, thereby fostering a more equitable work environment. The Labour Regulation of 2021 provides detailed guidelines for implementing these protections.

Securing labor rights
Despite the guaranteed frameworks, youth who remain in Nepal often face significant challenges in finding and retaining employment. Jobs that match their qualifications and interests are scarce, and unfair selection processes and office politics further hinder their prospects. Even when employed, workers often face exploitation, such as being forced to work extra hours without appropriate compensation or being unable to take leave without interference from employers.

Many employers exclude lunch hours from the official workday, effectively extending work hours to nine per day. Emotional pressure to work extra hours, framed as ‘learning hours’, is common, and those who resist face office politics. Although the Labour Act mandates overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate, and annual increments in remuneration, employers often manipulate these entitlements to the bare minimum.

Qualified youths are often reluctant to take on work that does not interest them. The job market is so misaligned that many employees work in fields unrelated to their academic qualifications. While changes in career interests can occur, it's crucial to consider the efficiency of professionals working outside their fields of expertise.

While laws guarantee the right to choose employment, in practice, there are limited options. Graduates, despite significant investment in their education, are often forced to take any available job to meet basic needs and ultimately leave the country for better opportunities. 

Way forward

The government must recognize that youth have no choice but to leave the country in search of sustainable livelihoods. Rather than expressing empty regrets about youth migration, the government should focus on creating policies that retain qualified, skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers.

Proper legislation is significant to regulate advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and informal sectors like gig-economy, freelancing, e-commerce including ride-sharing, and food delivery. 

When such laws are particularly enacted, workers will have more opportunities to choose employment in these emerging fields.

Collaboration among the government, private sector, financial institutions, civil society and international NGOs is crucial to effectively implement labor laws. The Labour Act should be seen as a minimum standard, not a limit. Universally guaranteed human rights and constitutional rights should not be compromised at the employer's convenience.

Effective mobilization of trade unions is necessary to provide a platform for employees to voice concerns and improve work environments without bias. Office politics, which often targets women, especially those with family responsibilities or disabilities, must be dismantled. Ensuring an inclusive and fair workplace is essential to foster women’s leadership and retain talents within the country.

The author is an advocate 

The 16th meeting of Nepal-China Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism began in Kathmandu today.

Spokesperson at the Foreign Ministry, Amrit Bahadur Rai, shared that discussions are underway regarding overall areas of Nepal-China bilateral relations and cooperation in the meeting.

Similarly, discussions would be held on exchanging cooperation in different sectors including education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, trade, investment, tourism and financial support and connectivity in the meeting.

Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal on the behalf of Nepal is leading the delegation in the meeting which comprises senior officers of different ministries.

Likewise, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Sun Weidong, is leading the Chinese delegation.

Weidong arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday morning for a three-day official visit to attend the meeting.

During his visit, the Vice Minister is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel.

He paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday. He is scheduled to return home tomorrow.

Nepal suffered a 21-run defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup on Monday.

The match was held at the Ornos Vale stadium of St Vincent, the West Indies.

Sent to bat first after losing the toss, Bangladesh posted a total of 106 runs in 19.3 overs losing all the wickets.

Chasing the target, Nepal made 85 runs in 19.2 overs losing all the wickets.

Kushal Malla contributed 27 runs off 40 balls, hitting one four and one six for Nepal.

Similarly, Dipendra Singh Airee scored 25 runs off 31 balls with one six and two fours.

Opener Asif Sheikh made 17 runs off 14 balls hitting four boundaries while other batters failed to score in double digits.

Meanwhile, Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed the highest four wickets for Bangladesh.

Likewise, Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed took three, two and one wickets respectively.

Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan scored 17 runs, Mahmudullah and Rishad Hossain made 13 runs each and Jaker Ali and Taskin Ahmed contributed 12 runs each. Other batters failed to score in double figures.

For Nepal, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami and Dipendra Singh Airee claimed two wickets each.

With the win, Bangladesh have advanced to the Super Eight.

Meanwhile, Sandeep Lamichhane has become the first Nepali bowler to complete 100 wickets in T20Is. He completed the 100 wickets in 56 matches.

India and Nepal on Wednesday concluded their first-ever bilateral meeting between their probe agencies tasked to combat money laundering and discussed ways to check the crime taking place through the porous border between the two neighbors. A visiting delegation of Nepal's department of money laundering investigation (DMLI), led by its Director General Pushpa Raj Shahi, attended the two-day meet with the officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

"This was the first head of the agency level meeting between the two anti-money laundering agencies of India and Nepal. The meeting was aimed at developing mutual cooperation and strengthening capacity building in the areas of money laundering and asset recovery between India and Nepal," an official statement issued by the ED said. The Indian side was led by ED Director (in-charge) Rahul Navin and both the sides had officials from their respective embassies in Delhi and Kathmandu apart from the Indian external affairs ministry.

During the meeting, both sides presented an overview of their respective anti-money laundering legislations and exchanged ideas for combating the menace of money laundering, it said. Both the sides also presented case studies and discussed common modus of money laundering schemes, as per the statement.

The ED, it said, explained in detail about various tools of investigation, analytical software and forensic tools/equipment used during the money laundering investigations. "Emphasis was placed upon on the fact that money laundering is a global problem that not only threatens security, but also compromises the stability, transparency and efficiency of financial systems, thus undermining economic prosperity.

"Therefore, both the sides expressed their concern towards money laundering risks through the porous border between India and Nepal," the statement said. The two agencies also "agreed" to continue strengthening cooperation in anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism efforts, through increased information sharing and coordination, including expeditious sharing of evidence and information for money laundering and terrorism financing investigations, as and when necessary, it said.

The importance of fighting financial crimes and on the effective implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards to protect abuse of financial systems was agreed upon, as per the ED. The Nepalese delegation "requested assistance" to set up forensic labs like the one ED has, and to arrange capacity building and training for DMLI officers.

ED expressed its "willingness" on this request and to strengthen agency-to-agency cooperation through informal channels in the areas of money laundering and asset recovery. "As a step closer, a draft MoU between ED and DMLI for enhancing mutual cooperation in the investigation of money laundering offenses was discussed and the same would be signed in due course after obtaining the necessary approvals from their respective competent authorities," the statement said.