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Nepal defeated Hong Kong by eight wickets in their third match under the ACC Men’s Premier Cup on Monday.

In the match held at Al-Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman, Nepal achieved the target of 115 runs set by Hong Kong in 12. 2 overs.

Asif Sheikh scored highest 40 runs for Nepal while Kushal Bhurtel returned to pavilion scoring 32 runs.

Anshuman Rath scored highest 34 runs for Hong Kong, wicketkeeper Zeeshan Ali contributed 14 runs and captain Nizakat Khan and Ehsan Khan made 12 and 11 runs respectively. Other batters failed to score in double digits.

Abhinas Bohara claimed three wickets, Dipendra Singh Aire and Lalit Rajbansi took two wickets each and Karan KC picked one wicket.

The match was reduced to 18 overs due to the rain.

This is Nepal’s third consecutive victory.

Nepal defeated Malaysia by five wickets in the first match and Qatar by 32 runs in the second match.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects Nepal’s economy to grow by 3.6 percent (at market prices) in fiscal year 2024. During the press conference held today to unveil the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024, a flagship publication of the ADB, it was revealed that Nepal’s economy is expected to rebound from an estimated growth of 1.9 percent in fiscal year 2023.

Arnaud Cauchois, ADB Country Director for Nepal, noted, “A gradual relaxation of monetary policy, combined with improved consumer and investor confidence, is anticipated to spur economic activity in 2024. Moreover, industry is forecasted to experience faster growth compared to fiscal year 2023, driven by increased government capital spending in the latter half of the fiscal year and the commissioning of additional hydroelectric power by the end of fiscal year 2024.”

The service sector is also expected to witness accelerated growth as credit controls ease, interest rates decrease, and tourism revenues expand. Agriculture growth may see a slight uptick from 2.7 percent in fiscal year 2023 to 2.8 percent, though a record rice harvest is offset by a shortfall in winter crops and other agricultural production due to deficient rainfall this winter season, as outlined in the ADB press release.

The report forecasts annual average inflation to drop to 6.5 percent in fiscal year 2024 from 7.7 percent in fiscal year 2023, driven by subdued oil prices and a decline in inflation in India, Nepal’s main import source. “External risks remain relatively contained. The current account deficit may return after registering a surplus in the first half of fiscal year 2024,” clarified the ADB.

According to the ADO, the trade deficit contracted by 4.7 percent year-on-year in the first six months of fiscal year 2024, while workers’ remittances expanded by 22.6 percent year-on-year, resulting in a current account surplus of $1.2bn. However, with higher imports and stable remittance inflows expected in the remainder of the fiscal year, the 2024 current account deficit is forecasted at 0.7 percent of gross domestic product.

ADB Principal Economist for Nepal, Jan Hansen, highlighted potential downside risks to the economic outlook in fiscal year 2024, including a global economic downturn affecting Nepal’s tourism and remittance receipts. “Any intensified geopolitical turmoil could disrupt supply chains, push up global inflation, and tighten global financial conditions. This may necessitate a tightening of domestic monetary policy, potentially undermining investment and consumption, and dragging down growth,” stated the press release. Hansen reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to supporting a prosperous and inclusive Nepal.

Established in 1966 and owned by 68 members, with 49 from the region, the ADB is dedicated to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while continuing efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

An investment-friendly political and socio-economic environment is urgently needed in today’s Nepal. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and national private investors must be encouraged and supported by the friendly policies and programs of the Nepal government. Such policies and programs are necessary to increase the pace of economic development, achieve relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create concrete economic grounds for graduation from the LDC status in the year 2026. There is a high potential and possibility for such an investment-friendly atmosphere in Nepal. The lack of political willpower, interest, honesty and clear-cut policies and implementation programs are preventing the creation of such an atmosphere.

FDI flow in S Asia

Nepal is in the sixth position in South Asia regarding FDI inflow, just above Bhutan, according to World Bank data for 2022. FDI inflow was just $65m in 2022 Nepal, which is a 0.15 FDI-GDP ratio. The Maldives is on the top, having $722m in 2022, and the FDI-GDP ratio is 11.7. India was second, and Bangladesh was fourth that year. Bangladesh had $3,480m with a 0.75 FDI-GDP ratio in 2022, whereas India had $49,355m with a 1.44 FDI-GDP ratio in the same year. The 2024 data show India received $105.23bn whereas China received just $70.23bn.

According to the same source, net FDI inflows to Nepal decreased by 4.9 percent to Rs 60bn in 2021-22. There is a significant gap between approved FDI and actual net FDI inflows in Nepal. Between 1995-96 and 2021-22, the total net FDI inflow stood at around 36.2 percent of total FDI approval. This is one of the weighty matters of concern for Nepal.

Vietnam and Cambodia

According to Vietnam’s Foreign Trade Agency, the country experienced a surge in FDI in January and February of 2024, recording an influx of over $4.29bn, marking a significant increase of 38.6 percent compared to the previous year. The major areas of FDI investment are Manufacturing, Services, Agriculture and Travel.

Cambodia’s FDI registered a growth of 12.1 percent of the country’s nominal GDP in Dec 2022, while it stood at 12.9 percent in the previous year. The significant areas of FDI investment in Cambodia are agro-processing, electronics/machinery, health, industrial parts, infrastructure and green energy.

Nepal’s failure

Some of the reasons behind Nepal’s failure to attract FDI are as follows:

Legal hurdles: Some Acts and Regulations responsible for this need to be immediately amended. For example, government itself has said Industrial Enterprise Act 2020, Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act 2019, Special Economic Zone Act 2016, Forest Act -2019, National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act 1973, Land Act 1964, Land Acquisition Act 1977, Environment Protection Act 2019, Electronic Transaction Act 2008, Civil Aviation Act 1959, Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Regulation 2021 and Forest Regulation 2023 need to be revised. Also, some new Acts are needed to encourage the investors with mutual advantages and benefits with clear-cut policies from the point of license receiving to total facilities and support to be given and remittances (dividend) for return.

Bureaucratic hurdles: Bribery, corruption and red-tape are the main hurdles here. Whether national or foreign investors, this is their main complaint and grievance. Our legal and executive decisions and discipline should be such that they penalize and discourage the corrupt actors.

Political hurdle: We should be very fair and impartial, and it will be unfair to blame the bureaucrats alone. Our political circle is also tainted. Our politicians, bureaucrats and brokers have some kind of nexus through which they engage in corrupt practices and discourage investors. So, concerned government authorities and relevant agencies should pay attention here, and the culprits must be brought to justice.

Instability: Lack of political instability, marked by frequent changes in government, is one of the important reasons behind the failure to attract FDI in Nepal. Investors want political stability and policy consistency, and they hardly invest in politically-unstable countries. The political parties of Nepal must pay serious attention to this matter.

Facilities and taxation: FDI calls for a clear-cut taxation policy that is congenial to them and that provides information to them about facilities they are entitled to in a transparent manner. Our taxation policy should be distinctly clear and investment-friendly. We should provide them with all basic facilities that good plants and industries need. Why should we not offer them a special industrial zone like other countries by taking a cue from this saying: Facilities attract and invite capital and capitalists?

Trade union and exit plan: The FDI needs a transparent, solid, stable and investment-friendly labor policy. Foreign investors do not accept workers’ strikes and other forms of disturbances in the industries. They do not accept politics and politically-motivated activities within industrial areas. Does the government have a political will to address these concerns? Foreign investors are also very much concerned about their exit plans. They want to take their profit safely and smoothly back to their countries. They are also apprehensive about the principal amount they invest in. Our legal system, executive decisions and practices should be amicable and supportive of their exit plan.

Proposed areas: Our priority and proposed area must be clear and solid to attract FDI. As per the need and potential of Nepal, agriculture, tourism, hydro, connectivity, education, health, IT, and agro and forest-based industries are the appropriate areas for FDI investment in Nepal.

Learning lessons: In-depth studies are necessary to find the reasons behind Nepal’s failure to attract FDI. Serious studies of countries that have managed to bring in FDI big time, especially on the facilities and incentives they provide to foreign investors,  can show Nepal the way forward when it comes to attracting FDI. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Nepal urgently requires a conducive environment for investment to accelerate economic growth and achieve SDGs. Legal, bureaucratic and political hurdles, along with instability and unclear policies, deter FDI inflows. To address this, Nepal must enact investor-friendly laws, combat corruption, ensure political stability, offer transparent taxation policies, provide facilities and address labor issues. Learning from successful FDI attractors like India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia, Nepal should focus on sectors like agriculture, tourism, hydro, connectivity, education, health, IT and agroforestry, at a time when the country is gearing up to organize the Third Investment Summit.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected that Nepal's economy is to grow by 3.6% (at market prices) in fiscal year 2024.

Releasing the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024, a flagship publication of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) by organising a press conference here today, it shared that Nepal's economy would go up from an estimated growth of 1.9% in fiscal year 2023.

ADB Country Director for Nepal, Arnaud Cauchois said, "A gradual relaxation of monetary policy coupled with improved consumer and investor confidence is expected to stimulate economic activity in 2024. Moreover, industry is projected to grow more rapidly than in fiscal year 2023 as capital spending by the government ramps up in the second half of the fiscal year, and as additional hydroelectricity power comes online by the end of fiscal year 2024."

Service sector growth would also likely accelerate as credit controls ease, interest rates further decrease, and tourism revenues expand. Agriculture growth may increase marginally from 2.7% in fiscal year 2023 to 2.8% as a record rice harvest is tempered by a shortfall in winter crops and other agricultural production, given the deficient rainfall this winter season, reads the press release issued by ADB.

The report projects annual average inflation to fall to 6.5% in fiscal year 2024 from 7.7% in fiscal year 2023 on subdued oil prices and a decline in inflation in India, Nepal's main import source.

"External risks remain relatively well contained. The current account deficit may fall again into deficit after registering a surplus in the first half of fiscal year 2024", clarified the ADB.

As per the ADO, as the trade deficit contracted by 4.7% year-on-year in the first 6 months of fiscal year 2024, and as workers' remittances expanded by 22.6% year-on-year, the current account recorded a surplus of $1.2 billion.

However, amid higher imports and stable remittance inflows in the remainder of the fiscal year, the 2024 current account deficit is forecast at 0.7% of gross domestic product.

Similarly, ADB Principal Economist for Nepal Jan Hansen shared, "Downside risks to the economic outlook in fiscal year 2024 may arise from a downturn in the global economy affecting Nepal's tourism and remittance receipts."

"Any intensified geopolitical turmoil could disrupt supply chains, pushing up global inflation and tightening global financial conditions. This may lead to a tightening of domestic monetary policy, undermining investment and consumption, and dragging down growth", reads the press release.

He expressed commitment to provide possible support in favour of prosperous and inclusive Nepal.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members-49 from the region. 

Kabiraj Negi Lama is the team coach for the National Para Taekwondo Team for Nepal. Holding a 6th Dan black belt, he began coaching para taekwondo in 2015, later receiving training in South Korea. Additionally, he is a certified international-level coach in Para taekwondo. Over the years, he has coached for nine international competitions, leading Nepal to claim 10 medals from both World Taekwondo and International Paralympic games.

Lama coached teams in major events like the Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020, the 4th Asian Para Games in China, and the Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain in 2021. He also worked for seven years as an Executive Assistant at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), apart from his volunteer work in Para Taekwondo coaching.

Lama lost his mother at an early age. He was raised by his aunt and grandfather, who were his guardians and strong support systems. While attending school near Pashupati Bankali, he was introduced to taekwondo, which sparked his interest in the game. Soon, he began training  children at schools and fitness clubs as well. His dedication caught the attention of the Taekwondo Association Nepal which appointed him to train for Para Taekwondo competitions, eventually earning him international coaching recognition.

At 34, Lama inspires people with disabilities to pursue sports. He believes nothing should hold them back. However, he acknowledges the difficulty of training athletes with upper limb deficiencies but he remains dedicated to training them. For these athletes, he takes on roles beyond that of a coach, acting as a parent, caretaker, and constant source of motivation. Lama prioritizes their emotional well-being and physical safety, maintaining a delicate balance throughout the training process.

Although his grandfather had hoped for him to join the British army, Lama couldn’t meet the height and weight criteria. Taekwondo, however, became his true calling and brought deeper purpose to his life. He has gained recognition as a coach within the National Sports Council and Taekwondo committee and Lama is grateful for all that he has and the path he has chosen.

Para Taekwondo began in Nepal in 2013 with the aim of promoting sports and inclusivity. As a coach, Lama first learns about the body structure of disabled athletes with upper limb deficiencies or amputations and helps them prepare mentally and physically before teaching them tactics and techniques for balance and winning kicks.

He finds joy in their success. He says he was proud when Shrijana Ghising won the Gold Medal in the Riyadh 2022 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix Final against top-ranked opponents. Additionally, Lama reflects on Palesha Goverdhan’s historic achievement in becoming the first Nepali Paralympian to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “My students never fail to impress me with their stamina and courage. I’m proud to be their couch,” he says.

Lama ensures his students are well-prepared for victory and inspires them to give nothing less than their best. He instills in them the ethos of representing their country without compromise or excuse. Win or lose, Lama encourages his students to embrace the outcome and learn lessons from every game. 

His devotion and coaching abilities have earned him fame and prestige, including the Best Coach Award from the Nepal Olympic Committee in 2022. But for Lama, true success lies in the achievements of his students. The ten medals they’ve won with his guidance show just how impactful his coaching has been.

His dedication stretches further than just coaching. He’s determined to raise the profile of taekwondo in Nepal, always busy with tasks like learning new international game rules, researching, attending seminars, and improving his coaching skills to nurture top-level athletes. Balancing training, volunteering, and other responsibilities leaves him feeling guilty for not spending more time with his family. But his family admires his sacrifices and efforts, and says he is a key player in Nepal’s victory in the international arena.

Lama believes every individual has a part to play in contributing to the country. “Our government should focus on hiring more coaches to improve professional sports,” he says. He emphasizes that coaches should be given good incentives so that they give it their all while training athletes. He also says he wishes for greater recognition of Nepalis athletes. At the moment, he’s working on getting Nepal to participate in more international games. He hopes to train more players who can bring back medals for the country.

Nepal’s tourism industry is back on track if foreign tourist arrival figures over the first three months of 2024 are anything to go by.

Foreign tourist arrivals via air recorded a year-on-year growth of 33.78 percent in the first three months of 2024. Tourist arrival data released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) shows a total of 304,693 foreign tourists have entered the country till March this year, compared to 227,755 in the same period of 2023. Over the past few months, the tourism sector is playing a vital role in the tourism recovery. A report published by the World Bank on April 2 states that the services sector emerged as a primary driver of this growth on the supply side, buoyed by increased activity in tourism-related services.

A total of 128,167 foreign tourists arrived in Nepal in March this year, compared to 99,427 in March last year. This is higher than the pre-covid footfall for the month. Nepal had welcomed 127,351 in March 2019. However, the total arrival in the first three months of 2024 is still lower than the total arrivals in the first three months of 2019 when Nepal welcomed 311,047 foreign tourists.

Nepal welcomed 1,197,191 foreign tourists in 2019 which has remained the best year for the industry so far. Arrival numbers fell to 230,085 in 2020 and further to 150,962 in 2021. It improved to 614,869 in 2022 and rebounded to 1,014,876 in 2023. Arrival figures over the first three months suggest that Nepal is on track to beat the 2019 numbers this year. March marks the beginning of the spring tourism season which is considered the best for trekking and mountaineering. The spring season sees a lion’s share of mountaineering expeditions coming to Nepal. Most of the expeditions on Mt Everest, the tallest peak on earth, are organized in this season.

According to tourism entrepreneurs, tourist numbers will continue to increase till May which marks the end of the climbing season and the beginning of monsoon rains. While tourist numbers dip during the three months of June, July, and August, it starts picking up once the autumn season begins in September. The autumn season continues through December. 

As usual, India was the largest source market for Nepal in March, with 30,698 visitors. It was a year-on-year growth of 18.5 percent. The number of Chinese tourists also increased considerably to 12,093—a growth of a staggering 358 percent. The US came third with 10,763 visitors, followed by the UK with 7,241 tourists, Sri Lanka with 5,741 visitors, and Germany with 5,255 footfalls. Likewise, Thailand, Myanmar, France, and Australia were among the top 10 countries in terms of visitor numbers. Region-wise, Asia (SAARC) contributed the highest number of visitors in March, accounting for 31.8 percent of total arrivals. 

Similarly, Asia was next, contributing 22.4 percent of total arrivals, followed by Europe (21.5 percent), Oceania (4.8 percent), the Americas (9.8 percent), and Others (9.7 percent). Tourism entrepreneurs say the tourist arrivals would be much higher once the new international airports in Lumbini and Pokhara start handling international flights.

The Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism (BCM) meeting in Switzerland reviewed the entire spectrum of Nepal-Switzerland relations including economic ties, development partnership, multilateral cooperation, and contemporary global issues such as climate change and human rights.

The BCM also discussed the exchange of high-level visits, Nepal’s graduation from the LDC category, progress made towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, and ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation on trade, investment, tourism, science and technology, and vocational training, among others, according to the Nepali Embassy in Geneva.

The fourth meeting of the Nepal-Switzerland BCM was held at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Bern, Switzerland on Tuesday. 

Head of the Europe-Americas Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Joint Secretary Ganesh Prasad Dhakal and Assistant State Secretary for Asia and the Pacific in the FDFA of Switzerland, Heinrich Schellenberg led the respective delegations.

Nepali delegation included Ambassador of Nepal to Switzerland, Ram Prasad Subedi and the Embassy Officials whereas the Swiss Delegation included officials from the FDFA and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

On the occasion Joint Secretary Dhakal requested the Swiss side to encourage the participation of their investors in the upcoming Nepal Investment Summit being held in Kathmandu this month.

The Nepali side thanked the Swiss Government for consistently placing Nepal as a priority country for Swiss Development Cooperation. While expressing satisfaction over Nepal’s progress, the Swiss side assured of their continued support to Nepal’s development endeavors.

Nepal-Switzerland Bilateral Consultations Mechanism was established in 2015 and the next meeting will be held in Kathmandu on mutually convenient dates, adds the Embassy.

Lawmakers have demanded the prompt resumption of Nepal-China transit points closed with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Airing views in the 'zero hour' of the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting today, NC lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu expressed satisfaction over the reports that during Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha's recent visit to China, the two sides exchanged views on reopening the transit points along the Nepal-China border including Tinker in Darchula.

He said during the Prime Minister's China visit in the past, it was reported that the transit points would be resumed but this has not happened so far. "The Foreign Minister should clarify it," he asserted.

Thakur Prasad Gaire of CPN-UML urged the government to conserve Palpa's historic Rani Mahal (Palace) while Tara Lama Tamang demanded grants to sugarcane farmers.

Pradip Paudel of Nepali Congress drew the government's attention towards the issue of the server down in Tribhuvan International Airport. It was Badri Pandey from the same party who expressed his concerns over problems being faced by Bajura people in the aftermath of a landslide and a delay in constructing a bridge in Martadi. 

Devendra Poudel of CPN (Maoist Center) urged the government to establish the administration office at Galkot of Baglung to provide government services near to the locality of people who face challenges to visit the district headquarters to acquire administrative services.

Dhawal Shumsher JB Rana, Basudev Ghimire, Bindhyabasini Kansakar, Tejulal Chaudhary, Damodar Poudel Bairagi, Durga Rai, Pradip Yadav, Prabhu Hajara, Binita Kathayat, Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, Nagina Yadav, Nirmala Koirala, Narayan Prasad Acharya, Nisha Dangi, Purna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Pratima Gautam, Pratiksha Mukhiya, Dikpal Kumari Shahi, Deepak Giri, Deepa Sharma and Dr Toshima Karki raised contemporary issues.

India’s Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava on Tuesday discussed with Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane security mechanisms between the two countries and the need for strengthening border management to check small crimes as well as human trafficking.

Srivastava paid a courtesy call on Lamichhane at the Home Ministry in Singhadurbar here and the two sides during the meeting discussed the “efforts needed to further consolidate deep, wide and diversified people to people relations between the two countries based on historical ties and geographical proximity,” according to the Home Minister’s secretariat.

The two sides agreed that criminal activities have come under control despite having an open border between the two countries through effective coordination between the security mechanisms of the two countries, a statement said.

Ambassador Srivastava underlined the need for strengthening border management mechanisms to check small crimes and human trafficking in the border area through coordinated efforts, it said.

Srivastava expressed India’s willingness to provide grant assistance for reconstruction works in earthquake-hit Jajarkot and Rukm West districts of western Nepal and provide specialized training to Nepal Police.

Lamichhane underlined the need to expand and upgrade mechanisms in the border area for testing pesticide contents in fruits and vegetables imported from India, according to sources from the Home Ministry.

Nepal, nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, boasts a rich tapestry of culture, tradition and natural beauty. Yet, beneath its picturesque landscapes lies a healthcare sector grappling with challenges while teeming with untapped potential. As the nation strides toward socio-economic prosperity, the transformation of its healthcare landscape can prove to be substantive through interventions like augmenting investment along with promoting public and private sector collaboration in bolstering medical tourism, oriental health care practices, pharmaceutical industry and medical education.

At the core of Nepal’s healthcare discourse lies the issue of healthcare expenditure, measured as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). While developed nations like the United States allocate a substantial portion of their GDP — 17.3 percent, to be precise — toward healthcare, Nepal’s investment in this vital sector remains comparatively modest. However, as the wheels of economic development gain momentum, there exists a ripe opportunity to bolster healthcare spending, thereby catalyzing improved health outcomes and driving socioeconomic advancement.

The dichotomy between public and private healthcare sectors paints a nuanced picture of Nepal’s healthcare landscape. The Health Management Information System (HMIS) 2020-21 data shed light on the significant role of private hospitals, with a higher proportion of patients seeking care in these facilities compared to their public counterparts. Yet, rather than viewing this as a stark division, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors emerges as a potent strategy to fortify Nepal’s healthcare ecosystem. By incentivizing private sector investment in healthcare infrastructure, quality assurance measures, and capacity-building, Nepal can forge a path toward enhanced service delivery and sectoral development.

In the realm of medical tourism, Nepal remains as a hidden gem, offering a blend of high-quality medical treatments at affordable rates against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes from the touristic perspective and the intensity of the global flow of medical tourists. The global medical tourism industry, valued at $9.7bn in 2022, presents a lucrative opportunity for Nepal to showcase its prowess in healthcare provision. Cosmetic procedures, dental care, infertility treatments — Nepal’s offerings resonate with individuals seeking quality healthcare services without breaking the bank. Organizations like the Nepal Medical Tourism Organization (NEMTO) play a pivotal role in elevating Nepal as a premier medical tourism destination, thereby bolstering the economy and the healthcare sector in tandem.

While modern medicine holds sway, the integration of alternative medicine — Ayurveda, Yog, traditional healing practices — presents a symbiotic relationship between health improvement and tourism development. Embracing these age-old practices not only expands healthcare options for citizens but also taps into the burgeoning trend of holistic wellness travel. As global travelers seek sanctuary in Nepal’s tranquil abodes, the convergence of traditional wisdom and modern healthcare catapults the nation onto the world stage as a beacon of well-being and rejuvenation.

In terms of pharmaceuticals, Nepal stands at the cusp of innovation and self-reliance. With pharmaceuticals constituting a significant portion of healthcare expenditure, investing in local production holds the promise of reducing dependence on imports and stimulating economic growth. Strategic investments, regulatory reforms and international partnerships pave the way for Nepal to emerge as a pharmaceutical powerhouse, aligning its healthcare sector with global standards and amplifying its impact on regional markets.

Amidst the promises of progress lie challenges that demand attention and resolve. The unfilled MBBS seats for international students underscore the need for strategic interventions to attract talent and maximize the sector's potential. Strategic advertising campaigns highlighting Nepal’s quality medical education, affordable fees and promising career prospects can serve as a beacon, drawing aspiring medical professionals to Nepal's shores and addressing economic concerns in one fell swoop.

In conclusion, Nepal’s healthcare sector stands at a crossroads of transformation and innovation. By embracing challenges as opportunities, Nepal has the potential to emerge as a beacon of healthcare excellence in the region and beyond. Through sensible interventions in the aforementioned sectors Nepal can chart a course toward a healthier, more prosperous future — a future where healthcare transcends boundaries and transforms lives.

Nepal defeated Ireland ‘A’ by 71 runs in the second T20 match held at the Tribhuvan International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday.

Chasing the target of 199 runs set by Nepal, Ireland ‘A’ were bowled out in 18. 3 overs.

Kushal Malla and Sompal Kami took three wickets each for Nepal and Karan KC, Kushal Bhurtel and Bibek Yadav claimed one wicket each.

Stephen Doheny scored highest 26 runs for Ireland. Other players could not play well.

Nepal scored 198 runs in 20 overs losing seven wickets.

Gulshan Jha scored highest 46 runs for Nepal. Similarly, Kushal Malla made 34 runs and captain Rohit Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel and Anil Shah contributed 12 runs respectively.

Likewise, Asif Sheikh scored 11 runs and Sandeep Jora made 21 runs.

In the match held on Monday, Nepal won by six wickets.

Bangladeshi State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and Nepali Commerce Minister Damodar Bhandari on Saturday discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. 

They also put emphasis on easy communication between local Banglabandha and Nepal’s Kakarbhita by land and expansion of trade. Visiting Kakarbhita on Saturday morning, the state minister noted Kakarbhita land port is 37 km off Banglabandha land port and this territory is part of India.

He said they discussed how Nepal can join Bangladesh using 37km of India's land directly. Bangladesh, India and Nepal will work together to use this route directly. The state minister on Friday visited Phuentsholing border of Bhutan through “Banglabandha Land Port” in Panchagarh district and Phulbari land port in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal of India.

Welcomed by Phuentsholing Governor Karmi Jurmi on the Phuentsholing border, the state minister went to Pasakha land port from the border where he discussed expansion of trade between the countries. Banglabandha is 142 km off of Bhutan’s bordering area Phuentsholing

Bangladesh Land Port Authority Chairman Md Zillur Rahman Chowdhury, Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Salahuddin Roman Chowdhury, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Munshi Md Moniruzzaman, part-time member of the Board of Directors of Bangladesh Land Port Authority Ziauddin Ahmed Bhuiyan and Superintending Engineer of the Land Port Authority M Hasan Ali were present during the meeting with Nepal’s commerce minister.

Police on Tuesday made public five Bangladeshi nationals staying illegally in Nepal even after the expiry of their visa term.

They are Md Rifat Ahamed (26), Md Abdullah (23), Md Samsual Hoda (45), Abdul Biswas (30) and Md Masum Miah (36), according to SP Nakul Pokharel, Information Officer at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office.

They were arrested from Sohrakhutte based on the information that they had been staying in Nepal illegally and involved in suspicious activities, shared Pokharel.

Of them, Biswas and Miah were arrested on March 22 while three on Monday.

The arrested Bangladeshi nationals have been sent to the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, for necessary investigation and action.

The United States of America spent half a million US dollars to promote atheism in Nepal, Republican Congressman Brian Mast claimed while confronting a US government official over the issue. Notably, Mast is the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability. 

On March 21, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources in the Biden Administration, Richard R Verma, testified before the subcommittee as it assessed the State Department’s compliance with the Oversight. During Verma’s testimony, Republican politician Mast confronted him stating that the department’s ‘grant request’ document mentions that it gave money to “promote atheism in Nepal”. 

In the video of Verma’s testimony shared by the Republican Congressman, Mast can be heard asking him, “Would it be appropriate for the (US) state department to authorize half a million dollar grant from American taxpayers money to promote atheism.” 

To which, the official of the Biden administration, Verma replied, “It would not be appropriate to have a grant to promote any religion or non-religion coming from the United States.” 

After Verma admitted that it wouldn’t be appropriate for the US to promote any religion including non-religion (atheism), Mast inquired about the alleged $500,000 grant to promote atheism in Nepal. 

He asked Verma, “Half a million dollar grant to Nepal regarding the expansion of atheism, do you believe that is an appropriate use of the money.”  However, the Biden administration official denied extending any such grant to Nepal and argued that the grant was being misconstrued.  

Verma said, “That’s not what the grant is for and that’s not what the work would be for and frankly we would never authorize such a grant to any organization to promote any kind of religion.”  Further in the video, Mast asked him whether Verma was saying on record that no grant had been allocated for atheism in Nepal or divided up in other areas. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal announced that diplomatic efforts have been initiated with China to convert a loan for Pokhara International Airport to a grant as it failed to garner income, instead piled up more debt.

This came after opposition lawmaker Chanda Chaudhary raised questions about the increasing loss and piling debt, Nepal Prime Minister said that talks are underway to convert the loan into a grant.

“In order to operate the flights to and from the Pokhara International Airport, a committee has already been formed to study government-private sector cooperation. On the basis of the report prepared by the committee, necessary preparations would be made for the operation of the airport. The loan acquired for the construction of Pokhara International Airport, diplomatic talks are underway to convert it into a grant. Necessary coordination would be made for all the necessary financial management,” PM Dahal said.

The Pokhara International Airport, opened on 1 Jan 2023, hasn’t seen any frequent international flights except for chartered Chinese flights, which appear on rare occasions.

On 21 March 2016, Nepal and China reached a loan agreement stipulating a total loan amount of 1.37bn Chinese yuan, out of which 355.9m Chinese yuan were constituted as interest-free-loans. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the aviation regulating body of the Himalayan nation, is responsible for paying the loan amount by the year 2036.

Earlier, Nepal PM Dahal, upon returning to Kathmandu last year after his visit to China, announced that Chinese flights would come to Pokhara, helping to cover the loss.

While no such flights have commenced, the Prime Minister, referring to the visit, claimed, "During my recent visit to China (22 Sept 2023), a theoretical agreement was reached about commencing connecting flights from various cities of China to Pokhara, and I believe that international flights would land at Pokhara International Airport and help recover the loss.”

Days before the inauguration of the airport last year, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal claimed in a tweet that the airport was a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which was rejected by the Nepal Government.

But soon after the handover, the Pokhara airport exemplified the perils that came with importing China’s infrastructure-at-any-cost development model, disproportionately benefiting Chinese firms at the expense of the borrowing nation.

China CAMC Engineering, the construction division of state-owned conglomerate Sinomach, played a pivotal role in the Pokhara airport project. It imported building materials and machinery from China, and the airport itself was brimming with Chinese-made security and industrial technology. Despite China’s claims about the project’s quality, an investigation by The New York Times revealed an unsettling narrative.

Multiple individuals involved in the project and a thorough examination of thousands of documents indicated that China CAMC Engineering had consistently dictated terms to maximize profits and protect its interests. Simultaneously, it systematically dismantled Nepali oversight.

As a consequence, Nepal found itself entangled in significant debt to Chinese creditors without the expected influx of passengers to repay the loans.

The Finance Ministry of the Himalayan nation had signed a memorandum of understanding supporting CAMC’s proposal in 2011, even before an official bidding process had started. The Chinese loan agreement exclusively allowed Chinese firms to bid for the project.

CAMC initially submitted a bid for $305m, nearly double Nepal’s cost estimate

for the airport. This drew criticism from Nepali politicians, who accused the process of being rigged and the price inflated. Following the outcry, CAMC lowered its bid to $216m, reducing the cost by approximately 30 percent.

In 2016, China and Nepal formalized a 20-year agreement for the project, with a quarter of the funding provided as an interest-free loan. Nepal intended to borrow the remainder from China’s Export-Import Bank at a two percent interest rate.

As construction progressed, glaring issues came to light. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal was responsible for overseeing the Chinese contractor, but the lack of experienced personnel, combined with the inadequate allocation of funds for consultants, hampered the project.

International order is feeling the collective heat of the intensifying Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict and a massive weaponization of technology. Unlike the politico-polarity of the past, techno-polarity is now shaping the international order, while the US and China are navigating the tech and AI world order.

Given a sensitive geo-location, highly susceptible digital space and impact of AI on the world order, Nepal should recognize the gravity of the geopolitical competition between high-tech superpowers—the US and China, or China and India—and implement a logical strategy to maintain balanced relations with all of them.

Nepal must be ready to deal with the fallout of a possible occupation of Taiwan, which might put the country in the middle of a ‘crossfire’ between China and the US and directly affect its security and sovereignty. If unable to tenaciously maintain the geopolitical balance between the rival superpowers, Nepal will suffer on multiple fronts.