SAWTEE in Media

Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairman of SAWTEE shares his review and insights to the list of achievements presented by Prime minister KP Sharma Oli in his speech on 15th Feb.

4-day economic discourse on post-COVID challenges in Bay of Bengal

A four-day discourse on Bay of Bengal Economic Dialogue 2021 on ‘Post-COVID Challenges in the Bay of Bengal Region’ began yesterday via Zoom.

Ongoing political unrest could delay economic recovery, experts warn

Experts and private sector organizations have expressed worry that the unfolding political development and the subsequent unrest in the country could delay the process of economic recovery.

The country has recently headed towards economic recovery with an increase in economic activities despite the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the National Planning Commission (NPC), Nepal’s economy has faced a loss of Rs 322 billion during the pandemic.

Concerns raised about foreign investment in agriculture, but it is needed, stakeholders say

In December 2017, the National Planning Commission held a discussion with Qatari officials on short- and medium-term opportunities to export for Nepali agricultural produce to Qatar as countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council imposed a blockade on the natural gas-rich nation.

नेपाल अँध्यारो सुरुङमा छिरिसक्यो

अहिले प्रधानमन्त्रीको संसद् विघटन संवैधानिक हो वा होइन भनेर निक्र्योल हुन बाँकी छ । सर्वोच्च अदालतले संवैधानिक वा असंवैधानिक जे भने पनि नेपाल भने डार्क टनेल (अँध्यारो सुरुङ) मा छिरिसक्यो । त्यो भनेको हामीले संविधान बनायौं । दुई वर्षसम्म अविश्वासको प्रस्ताव ल्याउन सकिँदैन भनियो । अर्को सरकार गठन गर्ने विकल्प नहुँदा मात्र संसद् विघटन गर्न सकिन्छ भनियो, तर अहिले अर्को अवस्था आयो । राजनीतिक स्थिरता भनेको नीतिगत स्थिरता पनि हो । नीतिगत स्थिरता हुँदा निजी क्षेत्र र लगानीकर्ता उत्साहित हुन्छन् । अर्थतन्त्र सही गतिमा जान्छ । यस्तोमा लगानी बढ्छ, रोजगारी सिर्जना हुन्छ अनि पो समृद्धि प्राप्ति हुन्छ । यस्तो अवस्थामा चुनाव हुनु भनेको मतलब पनि फराकिलो दृष्टिकोणमा अस्थिरतामा छि¥यांै ।

How COVID-19 provides an opportunity to chart a self-reliant economy

Like during previous shocks, the pandemic once again renews the call to build a ‘self-reliant’ economy. But will the government listen and act, or miss the opportunity once again like it did in the aftermath of the earthquakes and the unofficial Indian embargo in 2015?

पाकिस्तान र अफगानिस्तानको सरकारले जनतालाई पैसा बाँड्यो, नेपालीलाई खोई ? व्यापारी टाट पल्टिन लागे

Role of local govt crucial to address issues of returned migrant workers: experts

Experts have sought a proper policy response by the government to address the adverse consequences in the livelihoods of the returned migrant workers following the global spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Addressing the virtual meeting titled “Lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic: Labour migration and remittances in South Asia” organized by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) on Tuesday, the experts also stressed on the need for an effective role on the part of the local governments to record profiles including the skills of returned migrant workers to help them integrate in the local economy.

Covid-19 creates job openings in e-commerce sector

Finding a job in the midst of a pandemic when companies are laying off staff or slashing salaries is no easy task.

But many job hunters like Sheshraj Lamichhane, who began to look for work after becoming unable to continue with the Roads Department, are finding opportunities in new avenues spawned by Covid-19.

A renewed political commitment to regional cooperation must be a priority for South Asia

While the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated powerful trends towards de-globalization, looking inwards by abandoning regional cooperation is not a solution for the South Asian countries and an improved connectivity and cooperation through renewed political commitment to regional and sub-regional initiatives can benefit the region and engender the much needed reforms in multilateralism and globalization, according to the experts in a virtual meeting organized by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) in association with Biruni Institute, Afghanistan, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Pakistan and Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), Colombo.

Enhancing Mutual Trust Is The Fundamental Factor To Deepen Regional Integration:

Dr. Baikuntha Aryal, Secretary (Commerce) at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Nepal, asserted that enhancing mutual trust is the fundamental factor needed to deepen regional integration in South Asia in a way that produces tangible outcomes.

Addressing a webinar on South Asia, Dr. Aryal offered way-forward for deepening regional integration in South Asia, which includes, “establishing strong supply chains, improving trade infrastructure and connectivity, following the regional growth patterns carefully, embracing the use of digital technologies, improving the business environment, and improving mutual cooperation”.

COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the economy. But there is still time to save it from total collapse

Dhan Bahadur Shah of Kailali opened an eatery in Kalanki area. But, less than two months after he started the business, the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to close the place in March.

Shah`s house owner waived the rent of his business outlet for two months, and the landlord reduced the rent by 50 percent to Rs 10,000 a month for the next few months. "But it is still difficult to pay the rent and meet other family expenses when your business is shut down," said Shah, venting out his frustration.

नेपालको सम्भावना ल्याण्ड र लेबर

साउथ एसिया वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमी एण्ड इनभायरोमेन्ट (स्वाति) का अध्यक्ष पोषराज पाण्डे अर्थतन्त्र र विकासका विषयमा गहिरो अध्ययन राख्ने थौरै नेपालीहरुमध्येका हुन् । त्रिभुवन विश्व विद्यालयबाट व्यवस्थापनमा स्नातकोत्तर गरेका पाण्डेले भारतको पञ्जाव विश्वविद्यालयबाट अर्थशास्त्रमा विद्यावारिधि गरेका हुन् ।

View: Proposals to drive the recovery in South Asia

South Asia, the world’s most populous region, could be the next hotspot for the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments across the region are faced with the grim calculus of trading off health for the economy which is in lockdown. Coherent national strategies, backed by regional cooperation efforts, are the way forward for economic recovery in South Asia.

COVID-19 has sparked both a public health emergency and an economic shock in South Asia. As of 24 April, South Asia accounted for 1.5 per cent of global cases, while the US accounted for 32 per cent, and the EU for 34 per cent. South Asia has moved from the fastest-growing region in the world in 2019 to a slow growth scenario in 2020. Trade, investment and tourism have collapsed. Stock markets have tumbled and business confidence is vanishing. Daily life has been disrupted and millions face poverty. Some speculate that a return to pre-COVID-19 normal life can only occur once a vaccine is readily made available sometime in 2021.