SAWTEE in Media
अमेरिकामा भन्सार सुविधा निरन्तरताको पहल गर्न माग
काठमाडौं । नेपाललाई विभिन्न ७७ वस्तुमा भन्साररहित प्रवेश सुविधा दिने अमेरिकी कानूनको म्याद सन् २०२५ डिसेम्बरमा सकिन लागेको सन्दर्भमा नेपालको निजीक्षेत्रले उक्त कानूनको निरन्तरताको लागि उच्चस्तरीय लबिङ गर्न सरकारसँग आग्रह गरेको छ । निजीक्षेत्रका प्रतिनिधिले उक्त सुविधाबाट विगत ९ वर्षमा खासै फाइदा लिन नसकेको परिप्रेक्ष्यमा थप वस्तुमा भन्साररहित सुविधा उपलब्ध गराउन अमेरिकासमक्ष अनुरोध गर्नुपर्ने बताए ।
As festivals near, onion prices soar
As festival season nears, onion prices have risen over the past month and could climb even further, according to market analysts.
The price of the major kitchen staple has increased due to the rise in India, Nepal’s key source market.
According to Indian media reports, onion prices have risen to over IRs70 per kg in retail in Delhi and IRs80 per kg in other regions
Nepal’s economic outlook
SAWTEE’s Programme Coordinator Dikshya Singh provides insights into different economic issues haunting Nepal’s economy at present along with the country’s leading experts in the July issue of Business 360 magazine.
Read the full interview here: https://www.b360nepal.com/epaper/161
Nepal-Bangladesh bilateral trade headed for uncertainty
SAWTEE’s ED Dr Paras Kharel share with The Kathmandu Post that ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh if continued for longer period would have repercussions on bilateral trade with Nepal and the new government in Bangladesh might not give much importance to BBIN and BIMSTEC adding that Bangladesh’s decision to import electricity rom Nepal might also be on hold for some time. Read More
Imports from south fall while EVs boost imports from north
Imports from China to Nepal rose more sharply than expected in the first eleven months of the current fiscal year ending mid-June, while imports from India continued to tumble.
According to the Trade and Export Promotion Center, the national trade promotion body, Nepal’s imports from China increased by 34.8 percent in the review period. In comparison, imports from India fell by 3.1 percent.
Brewing new markets for Nepal’s tea
SAWTEE’s Executive Director Dr. Paras Kharel writes an article for the East Asia Forum on Nepal’s tea export market diversification aspiration. https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/06/17/brewing-new-markets-for-nepals-tea-trade/
SAWTEE, IFPRI workshop explores informal cross-border agri-food trade
Dikshya Singh, Programme Coordinator of SAWTEE, highlighted in her presentation that evasion of tariffs and duties, variation in prices and bans on import and export serve as key drivers of informal trade. Singh said that informal trade is highly responsive to India’s ban on exports and price variations as the result of different production costs on the Nepali and the Indian sides and tariffs in the case of products such as rice and vegetables. The study found that prices of rice across the border markets could be as high as 20%.
भन्सार चुहावट नियन्त्रण भए स्थानीय उत्पादन प्रोत्साहन हुन्छ
अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय खाद्य नीति अनुसन्धान संस्थान (आईएफपीआरआई) सँगको साझेदारीमा साउथ एसिया वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमिक्स एन्ड इन्भाइरोमेन्ट (सावती)ले गरेको कार्यक्रममा अर्थविद्हरुले अनौपचारिक व्यापारलाई निरुत्साहित गर्नुपर्ने बताएका हुन्।
Informal cross-border trade balloons: Report
Presenting the report titled ‘Insights into Informal Cross-Border Trade in Agri-Food Commodities in South Asia’, Dikshya Singh, programme coordinator at SAWTEE, a South Asian think tank based in Kathmandu, said the export duty imposed by India on rice in September 2022 followed by an export ban on non-basmati rice in July 2023, fueled the informal trade.
Why Invest in Nepal?
Lack of political stability results in policy instability,” explains economist and SAWTEE’s Emeritus Chair Dr. Posh Raj Pandey. He added, "This is why Nepal’s FDI has not lived up to commitments. Potential investors have decided that internal risk factors outweigh any business opportunities".
Nepal awaits revival of key US trade preference scheme
The Kathmandu Post quotes SAWTEE’s working paper titled ‘The 66/77 products inside out: The long and short of the United States’ Nepal Trade Preference Programme’.
नेपाल–भारत व्यापार घाटा कम गर्न उत्पादन तथा उत्पादकत्वमा जोड
साउथ एसिया वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमिक्स एन्ड इन्भायरमेन्टले सोमबार सुर्खेतको वीरेन्द्रनगरमा आर्थिक पत्रकारहरुका लागि आयोजना गरेको कार्यशालाका सहभागि अर्थ विज्ञहरुले आयात निर्यातमा भएको असन्तुलनका कारण व्यापार घाटा बढ्दै जाँदा नेपालमा थुप्रैखाले सामाजिक तथा आर्थिक समस्याहरु देखा पर्न थालेको बताएका हुन् ।
नेपाल–भारत व्यापार घाटा कम गर्न उत्पादन तथा उत्पादकत्वमा जोड
साउथ एसिया वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमिक्स एन्ड इन्भायरमेन्टका अर्का अर्थ विज्ञ निलु थापाले भारतसँगको व्यापारिक सम्बन्धमा मात्र आश्रित नभई अब बङ्गलादेश जस्ता सबल सम्भावना बोकेका देशहरूसँग व्यापारका नयाँ आयामहरू खोल्न आवश्यक रहेको औँल्याउनुभयो ।
Nepal loses on auto-renewal of trade treaty with India
According to SAWTEE research, Nepal can’t continue to afford to provide tariff-free access to heavily subsidized agricultural products from India. Therefore, select primary agricultural products, including cereals, must be removed from the list of primary products to which both countries are currently providing reciprocal tariff-free access.
प्रतिवद्धतामा उतारचढाव, खुद लगानी बढ्योप्रतिवद्धतामा उतारचढाव, खुद लगानी बढ्यो
साउथ एसिया वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमिक्स एन्ड इन्भायरमेन्ट (सावती) का कार्यकारी निर्देशक पारश खरेल नेपालमा स्वीकृत भएको वैदेशिक लगानी प्रतिवद्धताको तुलनामा वास्तविक प्राप्ति करिब एक तिहाइमात्रै रहेको उल्लेख गर्दै यसमा समीक्षा आवश्यक रहेको बताउँछन् ।
नीति खेलाएर नाफा खाने प्रवृत्ति रहेसम्म अर्थतन्त्र सुध्रिँदैन
अर्थ मन्त्रालयका आर्थिक सल्लाहकार र साउथ एसियन वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनमिक्स एन्ड इन्भाइरोमेन्ट (सावती) का कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष रहेका पोषराज पाण्डे भन्छन्, "प्रतिस्पर्धी लोकरिझ्याँइका काम गर्दा स्रोतको दीर्घकालीन उपलधताको सम्भावना, वित्तीय प्रभाव, दीर्घकालीन असर, उपयुक्त/अनुपयुक्त केही पनि हेरिँदैन। यसले अर्थतन्त्रमा कस्तो असर पुर्याउँछ भनेर अध्ययन नहुँदा नेपाली अर्थतन्त्र समस्यामा परेको हो । " थप पढ्नुहोस् ।
नजिक भएर पनि सदुपयोग छैन
नेपाल–बंगलादेश व्यापारबारे अध्ययन गरिरहेका सावतीका वरिष्ठ अनुसन्धानकर्ता क्षितिज दाहाल बंगलादेशसँग व्यापारका लागि धेरै सम्भावना भए पनि ट्यारिफ तथा पारा–ट्यारिफ व्यवधानका कारण अपेक्षित लाभ लिन नसकिएको बताए ।
बंगलादेश निर्यातमा उच्च कर मुख्य समस्या
सावतीका वरिष्ठ अनुसन्धान अधिकृत क्षितिज दाहालका अनुसार बंगलादेशमा नेपाली वस्तु निर्यातको मुख्य चुनौती उच्च भन्सार कर हो । यसका अतिरिक्त गैरकर अवरोध र अपर्याप्त पूर्वाधारले पनि निर्यात व्यापारमा समस्या देखिएको छ ।
विकासशील मुलुकमा स्तरोन्नतिसँगै तयारी पोशाकको निर्यात घट्न सक्ने
साउथ एसिया वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमिक्स एन्ड एन्भारोन्मेन्ट (सावती) का कार्यकारी निर्देशक पारस खरेलले तयारी पोशाकभित्रै वस्तु विविधीकरण, स्तरअभिवृद्धि र बजार विविधीकरण गर्न नसकेर विगतमा कोटा खारेजी गरिएका कारणले यो क्षेत्रले गम्भीर धक्का बेहोर्नुपरेको बताए।
Beijing to reopen fourth border point with Nepal
Rupesh Tha, Research officer, SAWTEE, presented during a rountable discussion under the theme ‘Nepal-China Trade: Prospects and Challenges’ and said that Nepal’s trade relationship with China has been hit hard by a combination of natural disasters, the most significant one being the 2015 earthquake, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cooperation needed to combat climate change: speakers
Speaking at the South Asia Economic Summit, Kshitiz Dahal, senior research officer of SAWTEE in Nepal, said, "We aim to become carbon neutral by 2045 and implement climate-resilient planning in all 753 local governments by 2030.
The summit titled, "Reframing South Asian Regional Cooperation in the New Context National and Global Dimensions" was organized by Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh. Speakers at the summit emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and direct collaboration among organizations to combat climate change.
Comprehensive studies stressed to utilise untapped potentials of South Asian cooperation
During the 14th South Asia Economic Summit, Dr. Paras Kharel, the executive director of South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics, and Environment in Nepal, expressed that SAARC is languishing but it is premature to talk about its burial.
Multilateral legislations imperative to safeguard workers’ interests
Ms. Dikshya Singh, programme coordinator at South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment, Nepal, spoke at the session titled “Cross-border Labour Market Management” of the two-day 14th South Asia Economic Summit.
Among the topics discussed by various speakers in the session, Ms. Singh proposed strategies aimed at leveraging the potential of cross-border migration. These strategies included making sure that data is readily accessible, enhancing skills and qualifications, and gaining a clear understanding of market demands.Can South Asia ever share a common currency like the EU?
Dr. Paras Kharel, executive director, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) spoke at the 14th edition of the South Asia Economic Summit (SAEC), titled “Reframing South Asian Regional Cooperation in the New Context”, in Dhaka, hosted by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in collaboration with think tanks from the subcontinent.
Along with Dr. Kharel, P Nandalal Weerasinghe, governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Yuba Raj Khatiwada, former finance minister of Nepal, and former governor, Nepal Rashtra Bank; Ishrat Husain, former governor, State Bank of Pakistan, former adviser to the prime minister on institutional reforms and austerity; Dushni Weerakoon, executive director, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Colombo; Abid Qaiyum Suleri, executive director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad; Prof Sachin Chaturvedi, director general, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi; Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow CPD; Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow of CPD, also spoke at the event.Reframing the regional cooperation in South Asia
The South Asia Economic Summit (SAES) is organized as an annual event, with the five core partners taking turns to host it in their respective countries, namely Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This year’s SAES took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 4-5.
The SAES platform was established through a collaborative effort involving five prominent think tanks in the region: the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), the Research and Information Centre for Developing Countries (RIS), the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics, and Environment (SAWTEE), and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Its primary objective is to convene key stakeholders from the South Asian region and beyond, in a format similar to the Davos style, to engage in discussions and debates that lead to the generation of innovative ideas and actionable plans. The overarching goal is to promote and strengthen South Asian identity and cooperation across various domains.Experts discuss how South Asia can exploit intra-regional potential
Dr Paras Kharel, executive director of South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) in Nepal, noted that South Asia is a poor region with vast potential for collaboration among the private sector, policymakers, lawmakers, politicians, researchers, and civil societies.
Dr Kharel spoke in the two-day summit organised by the CPD on “Reframing South Asian Regional Cooperation in the New Context” started on Saturday, 4 November, 2023.
Political tension, tariff barriers hold back South Asia: speakers
The Center for Policy Dialogue, in collaboration with the Institute of Policy Studies in Sri Lanka, Research and Information System for Developing Countries in India, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics, and Environment in Nepal, and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Pakistan, organized a two-day event ‘Reframing South Asian regional cooperation in the new context: National and global dimensions’.
Bangladesh could become new trade destination for Nepal, experts say
Nepal faces challenges in maximizing its exports to neighboring countries due to production constraints, supply-side issues, and trade barriers. Experts convened by the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) emphasized the need to address these obstacles, particularly in trade with Bangladesh and India. Nepal’s heavy reliance on India for exports, coupled with limited trade diversification, calls for exploring alternative markets as it nears graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
कहाँ हरायो नेपालको १२ खर्ब निर्यात ?
विश्वबैंकले गरेको अध्ययनलाई हेर्दा नेपालको हराएको निर्यात अझै धेरै हुनसक्ने सम्भावना रहेको साउथ एसियन वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमिक्स एन्ड इन्भायरोन्मेन्ट -सावती)का कार्यकारी निर्देशक डा. पारश खरेल बताउँछन् ।
New trade strategy lists 32 promising exports
Going by past experience, the progress of the NTIS has not been encouraging," said Paras Kharel, Executive Director, SAWTEE. "For instance, the Board of Trade is required to hold a certain number of meetings in a year as per the commerce policy, but it has not done so for many years. So, the implementation of the NTIS is still doubtful,” he said.
Nepali traders ‘cautiously optimistic’ as Nepal-China border points resume after a hiatus of years
According to Dr. Paras Kharel, the executive director at South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics, and Environment (SAWTEE), the COVID-19 pandemic might be one of the contributing factors to the lackluster implementation of the Trade and Transit Agreement.
US trade preferences should cover more products; capacity building needed to utilize them (Pahichan)
Mr. Purushottam Ojha, Former Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), Government of Nepal, said Nepal’s Commerce Policy and Nepal Trade Integration Strategy, which have identified priority products, should be the basis for negotiating an extension to the trade preferences provided by the US.
US trade preferences should cover more products; capacity building needed to utilize them (अर्थ- डबली)
A SAWTEE study on Nepal-US trade, presented at the event, finds that Nepal’s merchandise exports to the US in 2021, at US$108.3 million, were lower than what they were at their peak in the late 1990s even in nominal terms.
Nepal Needs To Think Outside The Conventional Approaches Trading With The US : Secretary Marasini
Despite being granted duty free access to 77 products by the US, Nepal’s export performance in those select products is dismal. Limited utilization of trade preferences necessitates a careful examination of the constraints faced by exporters if Nepal aims at improving export performance through such facilities, experts said during a roundtable discussion on unpacking Nepal-US trade organized by SAWTEE in collaboration with The Asia Foundation.
Utilisation of trade preference facilities of US stressed
Madhu Kumar Marasini, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), pointed out that Nepal needs to think outside the conventional approaches and explore new products to export to the US in which Nepal has a comparative advantage.
नेपालले गुमाइरहेछ अमेरिकाको निर्यात
अनुपातका हिसाबले मात्रै होइन, मूल्यकै हिसाबले पनि नेपालबाट अमेरिका निर्यात घटेको जानकारी साउथ एसिया वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमिक्स एन्ड इन्भायरोन्मेन्ट (सावती)का कार्यकारी निर्देशक डा. पारस खरेलले जनाए ।
Nepali exports to US falling despite preferential treatment
Dr. Paras Kharel, Executive Director, SAWTEE, presented a research study done by SAWTEE on unpacking Nepal-US Trade at an event organized by SAWTEE in collaboration with The Asia Foundation.
नेपाल–बंगलादेश व्यापार: आयात बढेको बढ्यै निर्यात घट्दो ट्रेन्डमा
साउथ एशिया वाच अन ट्रेण्ड, इकोनोमिक्स एन्ड इन्भाइरोमेन्ट (सावती)ले उपलब्ध गराएको तथ्यांकअनुसार द्विपक्षीय व्यापारको २३ वर्षमा ८ वर्ष नेपालबाट हुने निर्यात उताबाट हुने आयातको तुलनामा बढी देखिन्छ । आव २०६१/६२ देखि २०६९/७० सम्म नेपालले आयातभन्दा बढी निर्यात गरेको तथ्यांक छ । त्यसयता नेपालबाट निर्यात कम र उताबाट आयात निरन्तर बढेको देखिन्छ । थप पढ्नुहोस्।
Why landlocked Nepal’s revised transit treaty with India is a big deal
“Nepal should also develop in its own waterway ports in the country’s rivers—particularly Koshi and Narayani (Gandak) for possible waterway linkage with India,” said Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairperson, SAWTEE, while speaking to the Indian Narrative. Read more
Should India make an exception and export wheat to Nepal?
Speaking to the India Narrative, Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairperson, SAWTEE, said, "In line with the provision of treaty, India had exported rice to Nepal in 2007-08 within a month after India imposed global export ban on rice."
Significant revisions to Nepal-India trade treaty overdue
Madhu Kumar Marasini, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), stated that three rounds of negotiations with India have already taken place in connection with revising the trade treaty.
भारतबाट आउने कृषि वस्तुमा थप ’कृषि शुल्क’ लगाउन जोड
सावतीले आयोजना गरेको "नेपाल र भारतबीचको व्यापार सन्धि" विषयको छलफल कार्यक्रममा बोल्दै गर्दा उद्योग वाणिज्य तथा आपूर्ति मन्त्रालयका सचिव मधुकुमार मरासिनी भन्छन् ," नेपालले कृषि उत्पादनमा वृद्धि नगरेसम्म यस्ता सन्धिले मात्रै निर्यात बढाउन सहयोग गर्दैन।"
भारतसँगको व्यापारघाटा कम गर्न कृषिजन्य वस्तु आयातमा ड्युटी फ्री हटाउनुपर्नेमा जोड
साउथ एसिया वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमिक एन्ड इन्भ्यारोमेन्ट (सावती) ले आयोजना गरेको नेपाल‑भारत व्यापार सन्धीसम्बन्धी छलफलमा नेपाल‑भारत उद्योग वाणिज्य महासंघकी अध्यक्ष सृजना राणाले नेपालसँग वैदेशिक व्यापार मात्रै नभएर लगानीको हिस्सा पनि ठूलो भएकाले सन्धीमा भारतबाट कसरी नेपालले फाइदा लिन सक्छ भन्ने विषयमा जोड दिनुपर्ने बताइन् ।
Nepal, India in consultation
At a discussion programme on’Nepal India Trade Treaty’ organized by SAWTEE, former commerce secretary, Purushottam Ojha, said that India has many times imposed non-tariff measures has pushed Nepali traders and exporters into troubles. India should at least inform Nepal government about the steps it decided to implement. He further said, "We need to include a separate chapter in the treaty on various aspects that Nepal is facing challenges such as sanitary and phytosanitary standards, quarantine and quality of goods."
नेपाल‑भारत व्यापार सन्धी परिमार्जन गर्नुपर्नेमा विज्ञहरुको जोड
सावतीले आयोजना गरेको "नेपाल र भारतबीचको व्यापार सन्धि" विषयको छलफल कार्यक्रममा सरोकारवालाहरुले भन्सार छूटमा व्यापार हुने वस्तुको सूचि पुनरवलोकन गर्नु पर्ने खाँचो औँल्याए।
कृषि क्षेत्र ध्वस्त हुनुको कारण नेपाल र भारतबीचको व्यापार सम्झौता हो: डा. पोषराज पाण्डे
क्लिकमान्डु संगको कुराकानीमा सावतीका कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष डा. पोषराज पाण्डेले वैदेशिक व्यापारमा नेपालको खस्कँदो स्थिति र विकासशील देशमा नेपालको स्तरोन्नतिका बारेमा बताउँछन्।
BRI platform for economic cooperation, not a geopolitical tool: Chinese envoy
A conference was held in Kathmand to mark 10 years of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an ambitious effort to deepen regional cooperation and improve connectivity on a trans-continental scale.
Prospects and pitfalls of end of Nepal’s LDC status
The Kathmandu Post cited SAWTEE’s report on LDC Graduation titled Nepal’s Graduation from the LDC Category: Implications for International Trade and Development in its article "Prospects and pitfalls of end of Nepal’s LDC status".
अतिकम विकसित मुलुकबाट स्तरोन्नति हुँदा चिन्ता गर्ने होइन उत्सव मनाउनुपर्छ : डा. पोषराज पाण्डे [अन्तर्वार्ता]
नेपाल अहिले अतिकम विकसित मुलुकहरूको समूहबाट स्तरोन्नतिको प्रक्रियामा छ। यसै सन्दर्भमा सावतीका कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष डा. पोषराज पाण्डेले स्तरोन्नतिका कारण व्यापारमा पर्ने प्रभाव, व्यापारमा सिर्जना हुने अवसरलगायतका विषयमा बिजनेस न्युज संगको अन्तर्वार्तामा कुरा राखेका छन्।
Podcast on Nepal’s LDC Graduation
In the latest podcast with Policy Entrepreneurs Inc, Dr. Paras Kharel, Executive Director, SAWTEE, speaks on Nepal graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category and what it entails for Nepal’s trade, development and policy space.
Yearender 2022: Hydro sector thrives amid geopolitical landscape
In 2021, Nepal earned the status of power surplus country during the wet season and Nepal even started selling the electricity on a commercial scale.
प्रवर्द्धनका लागि आर्थिक कूटनीतिलाई सशक्त बनाउन विज्ञको जोड
बुधवार साउथ एशिया वाच अन ट्रेड इकोनोमिक्स एन्ड इन्भायरोन्मेन्ट (सावती)को आयोजनामा ‘व्यापार सहजीकरण र निर्यात प्रवद्र्धनका लागि आर्थिक कूटनीति’ विषयक अन्तरक्रिया कार्यक्रम भएको थियो ।
Nepal’s trade policy, economic diplomacy talked
SAWTEE and The Asia Foundation (TAF) jointly organized a seminar on "Trade policy and Economic Diplomacy in Federal Nepal on 28 December, 2022. The event saw the participation of diplomats, policymakers, academicians, journalists and exporters.
China reopens Kerung-Rasuwagadhi border to Nepali exports
“Our trade policies are inclined to promote import rather than export,” said Bharat Raj Paudyal, secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a programme organised by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), a trade think tank, in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
Call for concerted efforts to achieve SDGs
Pakistan has excellent legislation and policy frameworks in terms of environment-friendly development and industrialisation, but lacks the capacity and commitment to implement sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Veggie trade in the eastern hills seesaws with the seasons
The vegetable trade in Nepal’s eastern hill districts seesaws with the seasons, with shipments flowing one way and then the other way as the temperature rises and falls.
Multilateral dev aid supply-driven, not based on countries’ demands: Dr Debapriya
Foreign experts including India’s Research and Information System for Developing Countries Director General Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka Research Director Dr Nisha Arunatilake, and Nepal’s South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment Executive Director Dr Paras Kharel joined the programme organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
अतिकम विकसित राष्ट्रबाट स्तरोन्नति हुँदा पनि नेपाललाई यसकारण हुने छैन ठूलो नोक्सानी!
साउथ एसिया वाच अन ट्रेड इकोनोमिक्स (सावती) ले नेपालले सन् २०२६ मा अतिकम विकसित राष्ट्रबाट विकाशोन्मुख राष्ट्रमा स्तरोन्नति हुँदा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय व्यापार र विकास सहयोगमा कस्तो प्रभाव पर्छ भन्ने विषयमा अध्ययन गरेको छ । सावतीले गरेको अध्ययनले नेपालको भारततर्फ उच्च व्यापार रहेकै कारण ठूलो नोक्सानी खेप्न नपर्ने देखाएको छ।
Exports may fall slightly after LDC graduation, report says
South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) conducted a new study on “Nepal’s Graduation from the LDC Category: Implications for International Trade and Development” to investigate the implications of graduation for Nepal in the areas of market access, development cooperation, and trade-related policy space.
Experts stress protection of indigenous crops
Experts have stressed strengthening the formal and informal seed system to protect the indigenous crops and help in food security in South Asia.
SAWTEE organized regional conference on suitable seeds for food security
South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), Kathmandu and Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI), Norway jointly organized a regional conference on Suitable Seeds for Food Security to disseminate the findings of the study “Suitable seeds for food security in fragile states” and initiate a discussion around seed security and climate change.
Nepali tea growers breathe easier after India lifts ban on blending
The Kathmandu Post quotes SAWTEE’s discussion paper "Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures in SAARC countries" in its article "Nepali tea growers breathe easier after India lifts ban on blending".
Partial relaxation of import ban has created confusion, experts say
Nepal Government has decided to lift its four-month-old import ban on some items. But the entry of other products is still blocked. Talking to Kathmandu Post, Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairperson, SAWTEE said that the import ban on selected goods is definitely bringing distortion in the economy.
China’s zero-Covid policy turns Nepal border towns into ‘dead’ zones as trade routes dry up
Our traders, particularly importers, feel uncertainty now about importing from China. They are not sure any more if they will be able to send the goods to the market, said Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairperson, SAWTEE, while speaking to China Macro Economy.
Role of trade facilitation in promoting women-led enterprises
Women entrepreneurs and experts addressed the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Nepal and discussed the role of trade facilitation in promoting women-led enterprises access to international markets.
विराटनगरमा ‘आर्थिक रिपोर्टिङ : बाह्य क्षेत्र’ विषयमा पत्रकारलाई प्रशिक्षण
नेपाली ढुवानीका साधन भारतमा पुग्न पाउने गरि व्यापार सम्झौता संशोधन गरिनुपर्ने सुझाव
सामान बोकेका भारतीय ट्रक नेपाल आउन रोकतोक छैन, तर नेपाली भारत जान किन रोक ?
For Nepal’s Troubled Tea Industry, India’s Import Barriers Could Be a Death Knell
Nepal doesn’t produce its 2 biggest export items
“Businessmen are colluding with politicians to award themselves tariff rebates paid for by tax payers. This is slowly killing Nepal’s industrial and manufacturing potential," says Dr. Posh Raj Pandey while speaking to Nepali Times.
Read more.
Exports at all-time high of Rs200 billion last fiscal, but paltry compared to imports worth Rs1.92 trillion
"Last year’s export growth of Nepal’s potential products was not satisfactory. Obviously, there were problems in the implementation of the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy, "Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairperson at SAWTEE said.
Experts discussed on preparedness of Nepal’s Pharmaceutical sector in the face of LDC graduation
Experts discussed the challenges faced by the Nepali pharmaceutical industry in the context of the new intellectual property regime after Nepal’s graduation from the group of least-developed country (LDC) in an interaction organized in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
४५ अर्बको औषधि बजारमा नेपाली उद्योगको हिस्सा ५० प्रतिशत
सरकारको उचित सहयोग हुन सक्यो भने अबको केही वर्षमै मुलुकलाई आत्मनिर्भर बनाउन सकिने दावी उद्योगीको छ । स्वदेशी उद्योगलाई प्रोत्साहन गर्ने सरकारी नीति र उपयुक्त वातावरण बन्न सक्यो भने छिट्टै नेपाललाई औषधीमा ८० देखि ९० प्रतिशत आत्मनिर्भर बनाउन सकिने तर्क उद्योगीहरूको छ ।
Preparedness of Nepal’s pharmaceutical sector in the face of LDC graduation
In a workshop “Preparedness of Nepal’s pharmaceutical sector in the face of LDC graduation” organized by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) and Third World Network (TWN), Mr. K.M. Gopakumar, Senior Research and Legal Advisor, TWN, emphasized that an apt policy response is needed to minimize the impacts of LDC graduation in domestic producers and to ensure access to medicine in an affordable way.
एलडिसी स्तरोन्नतिमा नेपालको औषधी क्षेत्रको तयारी विषयमा अन्तरक्रिया कार्यक्रम
“एलडिसी स्तरोन्नतिमा नेपालको औषधी क्षेत्रको तयारी” भन्ने विषयमा साउथ एशिया वाच अन ट्रेड, इकोनोमिक्स एण्ड इन्भारोमेन्ट (सावती) र थर्ड वर्ल्ड नेटवर्कले आयोजना गरेको अन्तरक्रिया कार्यक्रममा बोल्दै बौद्धिक सम्पदा संरक्षण समाज नेपालका कार्यकारी समिति सदस्य डा. प्रतिभा पाण्डे भन्छिन्, “नागरिक समाजको हैसियतले हामीले अनुसन्धान तथा विकासलाई सुदृढ गर्न सरकारको क्षमता अभिवृद्धि गर्नुपर्छ।”
Traders express displeasure as import ban is extended
कोभिडयता ८ करोड मानिस चरम गरिबीमा, केन्द्रीय बैंकबाट राहत अपेक्षा
युनेसक्याप र सावती द्वारा आयोजित "पोलिसी डायलग अन इकोनोमिक एन्ड सोसल सर्भे अफ एसिया एन्ड द प्यासिफिक २०२२" मा सहभागी भई सावतीका अनुसन्धान निर्देशक पारस खरेल भन्छन् ," सरकारले आगामी बजेटमा राजस्व लक्ष्य २८ प्रतिशत वृद्धि गरेको छ। आयात भने २० प्रतिशत घटाउने भनेको छ। अहिले राजस्वको करिब ५० प्रतिशत स्रोत आयात हो। यो कसरी सम्भव हुन्छ?"
Electricity could emerge as key export for Nepal—in the long run
Populism and ad-hocism in policymaking: How it will aggravate Nepal’s economic troubles
On petro business, policies have been utterly inconsistent for many years
In response to increasing prices of petroleum products and talks on involvement of private sector in power trading, Paras Kharel, Research Director at SAWTEE said, “A thorough assessment of private sector capacity is needed. Bringing in the private sector alone will not end the fuel price hike” while speaking to The Kathmandu Post.
२० राष्ट्रले गरे विभिन्न खाद्यान्न निर्यात रोक, किन विश्वभर भइरहेको छ खाद्य संकटको चिन्ता?
विश्वभर खाद्यान्न संकटको चर्चा सुरु भए लगतै नेपालमा पनि खाद्यान्न संकट आउन सक्ने भन्दै नेपाल उद्योग वाणिज्य तथा महासंघले पूर्व तयारीमा लाग्न छलफल गरिसकेको छ।
अब आयातित ग्यासलाई होइन,विद्युतीय ऊर्जामा अनुदान
नेपाल उद्योग बाणिज्य महासंघले राजधानीमा आयोजना गरेको ‘आर्थिक स्थायित्वका लागि महासंघको पहल अन्र्तगत विद्यमान विश्वव्यापी खाद्य र इन्धन संकटको प्रभाव’ विषयक अन्तरक्रिया कार्यक्रममा बोल्ने क्रममा, सावतीका अनुसन्धान निर्देशक, डा. पारस खरेल भन्छन्, “पेट्रोलियम आयातकै कारण देशको अर्थतन्त्रमा धक्का लागिरहेका कारण विद्युत महसुल कम गरेर विद्युत खपत बढाउनमा प्रोत्साहन गर्नु पर्छ”।
Government revising law to allow private sector to engage in power trade
The government wants to allow the private sector to participate in power trading, particularly to export power to India, because Nepal is expected to have excess energy during the rainy season, and India is more ready than ever to provide market access to Nepal’s power.
Once reluctant, India now open to power trade to and from Nepal, and beyond
On 02 April, 2022, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Narendra Modi had effective bilateral discussions in New Delhi especially with agreement made on the Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation where both the parties agreed upon expanding and further strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in the power sector.
Scaling up BIMSTEC in the new era
The 5th BIMSTEC Summit adopted the BIMSTEC Charter for the first time and also highlighted the importance of trade and energy, transport, digital, and people-to-people connectivity. The Summit which involved leaders from South and Southeast Asia is looked as a bigger opportunity to increase integrations and collaborations in Bay of Bengal region.The Summit ended on March 30, at Colombo in Sri Lanka.
Can BIMSTEC rise to meet the new challenges?
Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairperson at SAWTEE participated virtually in the 5th summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation(BIMSTEC) hosted by Sri Lanka. The summit was concluded with the participation of leaders from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The summit adopted the BIMSTEC Charter and discussed the ways of deepening BIMSTEC cooperation.
Government should focus on remedies to current economic problems, not just on revenue collection
Speaking at a program entitled ‘Current economic status and Forthcoming Budget FY 2022/23’, Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairperson at SAWTEE urged the government to look after the economic health of the country and focus on promoting sustainable economic growth. Dr. Pandey said that the MoF should act in line with looking for sustainable economic growth of the country rather than just looking for collecting more revenue and enforcing populist programs to buy votes.
Bay of Bengal nations urged to invest in connectivity, reap trade benefit
13th March- Speaking at a session “Infrastructure connectivity in Bay of Bengal region” in Second Bay of Bengal Economic Dialogue 2022, Dr. Paras Kharel, Research Director at SAWTEE said that the region can coherently plan infrastructure and put some sort of pressure to steer countries towards implementation of projects.
The Dialogue was hosted by the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM). Read MoreNepal’s industry and export sector continue to flounder.
Lack of coordination between varied government agencies has made Nepal’s progress in industry and export a dull one.
The failure of industry promotion agencies under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and export promotion agencies under the Ministry of Finance to harmonise their actions has led to near-zero implementation of a number of facilities created to promote industry and export says the report entitled “Trade Policy Coherence and Coordination in Nepal: An Exploratory Assessment”.
The report was jointly published by SAWTEE and The Asia Foundation. Read here.
Paperless Trade to facilitate trade and commerce within BIMSTEC countries
Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairperson of SAWTEE stressed the adoption of cross-border paperless trade to reduce trade cost and time and facilitate overcoming challenges of a capacity gap, mutual recognition, and harmonization.
Building Local Resilient Food Systems to End Hunger – Leaving No One Behind
7th December- Dikshya Singh discussed the impact of COVID-19 on major crops which totally disrupted the availability, accessibility, and affordability of the food supply chains in Nepal.
Women Entrepreneurs Lack Knowledge of Foreign Markets: Study
April 28: Experts have cautioned that flawed policies that do not recognize gender-differentiated impacts of policies and reforms may end up hurting women entrepreneurial ecosystem.
They expressed such view during a webinar titled ‘Gender Dimensions of Trade Facilitation: Evidence from Nepal’ organised by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) on Tuesday, April 27.
Building Pandemic-Resilient Food Systems in Sri Lanka and Nepal
In response to the food system challenges resulting from the pandemic shock, the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) and the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) undertook a joint study, funded by Southern Voice.
खाद्य–तेल निकासीमा संकट
भारत सरकार नेपालबाट हुने भटमास–तेलको आयात रोक्न वा त्यसमा परिमाणात्मक बन्देज लगाउन भारतीय खाद्य–तेल उत्पादकको दबाबमा छ
चालू आर्थिक वर्ष ०७७/७८ को प्रथम नौ महिनाको वस्तु निर्यातमा ३० प्रतिशत हिस्सा रहेको भटमासको तेल निकासी हटाउने हो भने निर्यात वृद्धि २० प्रतिशत नभएर ७ प्रतिशत ऋणात्मक हुन्छ । त्यसैगरी, पाम–तेललाई हटाउँदा ०७६/७७ मा निर्यात वृद्धिदर ०.६ प्रतिशत नभई ८.५ प्रतिशत ऋणात्मक थियो भने ०७५/७६ मा निर्यात वृद्धिदर १९.४ प्रतिशत नभई ६.६ प्रतिशत मात्र थियो । भारत सरकारको दृष्टि यी वस्तुमा परेको छ । भारत सरकार नेपालबाट हुने भटमासको तेलको आयात रोक्न वा त्यसमा परिमाणात्मक बन्देज लगाउन भारतीय खाद्य–तेल उत्पादकको दबाबमा छ । भारत सरकारले पाम–तेललाई गत वर्ष (सन् २०२०) जनवरीमा ‘रेस्ट्रिक्टेड’ वस्तुमा सूचीकृत गरेपछि एक वर्षयता पाम–तेलको निकासी ठप्प छ । पाम–तेलको स्थानमा भटमासको तेलको तीव्र निर्यात वृद्धि भएपछि गत मार्च महिनामा भारत सरकारले नेपाल सरकारलाई भटमासको तेल–उत्पत्तिको प्रमाणपत्र (जुन भन्सार महसुलविना भारत प्रवेश गर्न चाहिन्छ) वास्तविक उत्पत्तिको आधारमा जारी नभएको आशंकामा छानबिन आग्रह गरेको थियो ।
महामारीले थलिएको आर्थिक क्षेत्रलाई कसरी सघाउनुपर्छ सरकारले?
मुलुक यतिबेला कोभिड–१९ संक्रमण महामारीको दोस्रो लहरको चपेटामा छ। दोस्रो लहरमा संक्रमण तीव्र फैलिन थालेपछि काठमाडौं उपत्यकाका तीन जिल्लासहित धेरैजसो जिल्लामा निषेधाज्ञा लागू गरिँदा फेरि देश नै बन्दाबन्दीको अवस्थामा पुगेको छ। संक्रमितको बढ्दो संख्यालाई स्वास्थ्य पूर्वाधारले धान्ने अवस्था नरहँदा संक्रमण रोकथामका लागि फेरि एकपल्ट बन्दाबन्दीको उपाय अपनाउनुपरेको छ। जसका कारण महामारीबाट थलिएको अर्थतन्त्र लयमा फर्किन नपाउँदै फेरि थलिएको छ।
थप सामग्री : https://www.himalkhabar.com/news/123403
राष्ट्रपति विद्या भण्डारी बाङ्ग्लादेश भ्रमणमा, नेपालले कसरी घटाउने सक्ला व्यापार घाटा
झन्डै डेढ दशकअघि बाङ्ग्लादेशसँगको व्यापारमा नेपाललाई वार्षिक चार अर्ब रुपैयाँभन्दा धेरैको नाफा थियो। तर अहिले चित्र ठ्याक्कै उल्टिएको छ। यो आर्थिक वर्षको सात महिनाको तथ्याङ्क हेर्दा नेपालले झन्डै ३६ करोड रुपैयाँ बराबरको निर्यात गरेको छ भने तीन अर्ब रुपैयाँभन्दा धेरैको आयात गरिरहेको छ।
कोभिड लकडाउनको एक वर्ष: सवा तीन खर्ब रुपैयाँको क्षति, पुनरुत्थानलाई साढे छ खर्ब आवश्यक
गत वर्ष चैत ११ गते लकडाउन घोषणा गरिएपछि नेपालीहरूले चीनबाट सुरु भएर विश्वव्यापी फैलिएको कोरोनाभाइरस महामारी आफ्नै दैलोमा आइपुगेको अनुभूति गरे।यो एक वर्षको अवधिमा करिब पौने तीन लाख मानिस सङ्क्रमित भए भने तीन हजारभन्दा धेरैको ज्यान गयो। जनस्वास्थ्यका अतिरिक्त महामारीले सबभन्दा धेरै प्रभाव जनजीविकामा पार्यो। लकडाउन सुरु भएको एक वर्षमा नेपालमा के कस्तो असर देखियो त?
SAWTEE webinar
Nepal’s graduation from the least-developed country (LDC) status was welcomed at a South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) webinar on Tuesday. The potential loss from losing preferential market access when Nepal graduates from the category of LDC can be overcome by negotiating better regional and trade deals in the next five-year transition phase, speakers said.
New attractive policies must after Nepal’s graduation from LDC
Nepal’s graduation from the least-developed country (LDC) status is a cause worth celebrating experts pointed out during a webinar organized by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) on Tuesday.
‘कम विकसित राष्ट्रको पहिचान बदलिनु उत्सवको विषय’
५० वर्षसम्म संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघको अल्पविकसित राष्ट्रको सूचीमा रहेको नेपालले केही साताअघि यो सूचीबाट स्तरोन्नति हुने सिफारिस पायो। योसँगै यसले नेपाललाई पुग्ने फाइदा र आइपर्ने चुनौतीबारे बहस सुरु भएको छ।
More women entrepreneurs borrowing from financial institutions due to pandemic
The webinar titled ‘Towards recovery: Women entrepreneurs coping with the pandemic’ was organized to disseminate the findings of a small-scale survey of women entrepreneurs engaged in the manufacturing sector conducted by SAWTEE to examine the impact of the pandemic on their ability to do business. The survey found that 61 percent of the women-owned businesses reported having been affected severely by the pandemic and the lockdown measures; 57 percent of the respondent sought loans to cope with the pandemic; 56 percent of the respondents used e-commerce platforms for sales or promotion during the period. Further, 92 percent of the respondents were not aware of any support facilities offered by the government, revealed Ms. Dikshya Singh, Senior Research Officer, SAWTEE.
To Graduate, or Not to Graduate
“Nepal must realise that aid and trade preferences are not permanent fixtures. They will cease to exist as the country moves up the development ladder. The long-term solution to Nepal’s problems is capacity enhancement in almost every sector. Perhaps, it should also do some soul-searching on how countries like Bangladesh were able to leapfrog while it remained where it was,” says Paras Kharel, research director, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), a prominent think-tank.
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.
Misreading savings
Bangladesh must negotiate more for BRI opportunities: Speakers
BRI an opportunity for BD, says economist
Migration from facts
Vegetable imports: To regulate or not to regulate?
सावतीका अध्यक्ष डा पोष राज पाण्डे को News 24 सँगको अन्तर्वाता
WAR is a problem not a solution
Nepal-India Trade Treaty Needs Revisions: Dr. Pandey
नेपाल–भारत वातार्मा पुनरावलोकन आवश्यक
नेपाली कूटनीति फेरि संवेदनशील मोडमा
Nepal-India trade treaty needs significant revisions
Curious case of sugar quota
Trading through China
SAWTEE Centre for Sustainable Development Press release
SDGs Represent The Most Comprehensive Development Agenda
Experts urge promoting e-commerce
Discussion on enhancing agricultural productivity
Experts urge diversifying country’s trade routes
Lets Set Sail
Restructuring production, export processes indispensable to bolstering transboundary trade in South Asia
The future is here
Earthquake Did Not Affect Nepal’s Economy Fundamentally: Dr. Khatiwada
NRA targets to complete construcion of 450,000 houses by this fiscal
कहाँ हराए १ लाख १६ हजार भूकम्पपीडित ?
Deficit financing could be necessary for reconstruction
Capitalising on the gulf
Govt urged to play constructive role in WTO ministerial conference
Stakeholders stress on inclusive job creation
Nepal to face labour shortage by 2030
Experts flag slow distribution of housing grant
भूकम्पपछिको पुनर्निर्माण: निर्माण सामग्रीको पहुँच सहज बनाउन जोड
SAWTEE Organizes Workshop
सेवा क्षेत्रको विस्तारमा सरोकारवालाको जोड
Experts stress policy regime to ensure rewards for farmers, breeders
Migrants outflow dips, labour shortage hits reconstruction
Labour shortage hits reconstruction works
Nepal To Take Advantage of ICT
Lack of infrastructure hits Nepali ICT sector
वर्षअघि नै डेढ लाख घर बनिसक्छन् ः प्रधिकरण
जलमार्ग विस्तार गर्न सुझाव
Navigability Study in Koshi, Gandaki
Stakeholders urge promotion of inland waterways for trade
NRA blames worker shortage
Stakeholders urge promotion of inland waterways for trade
Experts urge govt to set up institution to govern water transport
व्यापार घाटासँग जोडिएका ६ सवाल
SAWTEE Organizes Interaction
फस्टाउँदो अनौपचारिक व्यापार
Informal Trade in Fertilisers Flourishing
४ लाख मेट्रिक टन रासायनिक मल अनौपचारिक बाटोबाट
कृषिजन्य सामाग्रीको अनौपचारिक व्यापार कम गर्नुपर्नेमा सरोकारबालाको जोड
Over 50pc chemical fertilisers imported ‘unofficially’
Women highly active in informal trade with India: SAWTEE report
Easy availability of agro inputs can curb informal trade: Experts
Moot on Revitalizing SAFTA: Beyond Barriers held at Dhaka
Agenda Agriculture
सार्कस्तरीय कार्यशाला सुरु
Sustainable farming practices stressed to save resources
South Asia needs to relook its agro practices
Inequality rises despite economic progress: experts
Experts seek practical water,energy policies
Call to revisit policies on water, energy cooperation
भू—राजनीतिको चेपुवामा ऊर्जा
भारतले बिजुली किन्न चाहँदैन
कमजोर कार्यान्वयनले ऐनको खिल्ली उड्दै
Quality vegetable production stressed
Nepal’s Vegetable Export Potential Still Untapped
Stakeholders stress on need for quality to export vegetables
Vegetable export potential largely unexploited
South Asia Economic Summit calls for solution to bilateral issues
Quality and efficiency of roads, airports affecting trade: Report
Changes to BAFI Bill Provisions draw flak
Bafia bill draws severe flak
स्वतन्त्र सञ्चालकको व्यवस्था हटाउनुपर्छ
अर्थमन्त्रीले बाफिया फर्काउन सक्ने
पुर्वअर्थमन्त्री र अर्थसमितिका सभापतिले भने वाफिया कमजोरी भयो, थप परिमार्जन गर्न समिति तयार
विज्ञ भन्छन -
We should list some agricultural goods as import sensitive
Call for Effective Changes in new Accord
नीति तथा कार्यक्रम बिरालो बाँधेर श्राद्ध गर्ने काममात्रै हो
आयाती बस्तुु भन्सारमै चेकजाँच गर्न सुझाव
नेपाल–भारत वाणिज्य सन्धि : ‘विन–विन’ सम्बन्धमा जोड
वाणिज्य सन्धि साफ्टाभन्दा संकुचित
The budget will be big liability for the future
WTO ministerial failed to meet expectations of South Asian countries, say experts
WTO ministerial failed to meet expectation of South Asia
सावती र अक्सफामको संयुक्त कार्यशाला शुरू
Urban Poor’s Trouble
Priority should be on energy, food security
नाकाबन्दीको असर दीर्धकालसम्म
सबै उद्योग टाट पल्टिने स्थितिमा-निजी क्षेत्र
नीतिगत सुधार, सुशासन र आत्मनिर्भर अर्थतन्त्र
SAWTEE And FNI Organize Workshop
SAARC Seed Bank could be a means to ensuring food security: Experts
Nepal faces big financial burden
संविधानको मस्यौदामा अर्थविदहरूका सुझाव
Potential aplenty
Time To Go Big
दक्षिण एशियाको सम्भावनामा गैरभन्सार बाधक: अल्लो र हातेकागजको ब्रान्डिङ आवश्यक
गैरभन्सार अबरोध मुख्य समस्या
Exporters Facing Problems
Trade Barriers for Women Discussed
Realising potential: Latest power pacts have renewed optimism
How’s business?:The southern neighbour accounts for two-thirds of Nepal’s exports and imports
चादी गहना नियातमा प्रतिस्पर्धी क्षमता बढाऊ
Jewelers Advised to Enhance Quality of Silver Jewelries
SAWTEE Organised a Program
Jewelers told to Enhance Quality of Silver Jewelries
Draft of Financial Sector Development Strategy Ready
MoF Floats Draft of Financial Sector Development Strategy
मह उत्पादन कम हुँदा निर्यातमा समस्या
Honey Sales Surpass Domestic Production
Stakeholders Call for a Specific Policy to Promote Beekeeping
Stakeholders Call for a Specific Policy to Promote Beekeeping
High-Level Dialogue on Post 2015 Development Agenda
गरिबी निवारण र आर्थिक वृद्धि मुख्य एजेण्डा
सूचनाहरु कुनै पक्षकेन्द्रित हुनु हुदैन
सहस्राब्दी विकास लक्ष्यका कार्यक्रम समेट्न सुझाव
Experts Stress Inclusive and Sustainable Development
औषधि किन्न नपाएर छटपटाउनु परेको भए निर्यात बढाउनै पर्थ्यो, व्यापारविज्ञ पाण्डेको अन्तर्वार्ता
Pandey in Proposed UN Technology Bank
सार्क बिकाश बैंक आवश्यक
Regional Integration: Distant Dream
Establish SAARC Development Bank to Finance Infra Projects
SAARC Investment Area Imperative for Regional Growth
Call to Normalize Trade Ties Between Pakistan, India
SAARC Urged to Promote Intra-Regional Investment
सार्क सम्मेलन अघि आर्थिक बहस सुरु, बिकासका लागि क्षेत्रीय सामिप्यतामा पाण्डेको जोड
SAARC Urged to Promote Intra-Regional Investment
Efficient Implementation of Regional Agreements Sought
SAARC Nations Lack Correct Trading Mindset
SAWTEE Organized Interaction
अदुवा निर्यात बढाउन सुझाव
अदुवाको मूल्य किसान आफैले तोक्न नपाउनु प्रमखु समस्या, नेपालमा विश्वको १३ प्रतिशत अदुवा
Ginger Traders Face Non-Tariff Barriers
Joint Efforts Needed to Ensure Food Security
Crop Yields to Dip Over The Next Few Decades-Ekantipur
Crop Yields to Dip Over The Next Few Decades-The Kathmandu Post
Strong Regional Initative Sought: Experts Stress SAARC Summit Focus on Climate Change Impacts
सार्कका कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन गर्ने बेला
Nepal Blowing Earnings on Imports:
बिधुत बिक्रीभन्दा उपभोगबाट फाइदा
Focus on Early Completion of Old Projects Rather Than New Ones, Say Experts
सहुलित होइन प्रतिस्पर्धी क्षमता बढाउनुपर्छ
Trade Policy Out of Sync With Times
संस्थागत सुधार र प्रभावकारी सेवाको खाँचो
नाफा बढ्ने र जोखिम कम हुने वातावरण बनाउ
Need to Raise Capital Spending
Second-tier Reforms for Enhancing Institutional Capacity
Government has Failed to Provide Effective Health Services: SAWTEE
स्वास्थ्य सेवाक्षेत्रको खर्च प्रभावकारी भएन
स्वास्थ्य क्षेत्रमा बजेटको कार्यान्वयन निरासाजनक
Seed Banks in South Asia: Building Grassroots Support for Crop Diversity
South Asia Urged to Integrate to Deal With Challenges
क्षेत्रीय ब्यापार बढाउन उच्चस्तरको सहकार्य आवश्यक
Calls for Regional Cooperation to Expedite Trade
Food Prices Likely to go up in South Asia
Domestic Pharmaceutical Companies Gaining Grounds
नेपाली वैज्ञानिकलाई जहाजको पेटेन्ट
Nepal’s Trade Dependency on India Swells in 2000s
Political Risk Clouds Darken
Reforms to Widen Market Access for LDCs: Analysts
भारत र चीनबीच बढदो आर्थिक एकता र नेपाल
Regulating Biodiversity in India and Nepal
Conference to Tackle Regional Economic Issues
Experts Cast Doubt Over IGC Implementation
सुबिधा गुम्दा पनि दुवै पक्ष मौन
Bali Pact May Not Help Nepal’s Agro Biz: Experts
सम्झौता नभएको भए डब्ल्युटीओमा ताला लाग्न सक्थ्यो
Benefits of Bali Accord Depend on Implementation
बाली सम्झौता को लाभ “कार्यान्वयन मा निर्भर”
WTO Provision on Farm Subsidy Likely to Hit Nepal Agri Sector
आगामी डब्ल्युटिओ बैठक ‘एजेण्डामा दवाव देऊ’
डब्ल्युटिओ एजेण्डा
डब्ल्युटिओमा नेपालको ‘ड्युटी फ्री कोटा फ्री’
Nepal, Other LDCs to Seek Duty-Free Market Access
India has Two-Third Share in Nepal's Foreign Trade
Exports to NTIS Products up by 10.96pc
सासेकको सिङ्गापुर बैठक
प्राथमिकता प्राप्त बस्तुको पुन : बर्गिकरण
Nepal Crawls up Global Competitiveness Index
विनिमयदर पुनमुल्यांकन
विनिमयदर स्थिरै
बलियो डलरबाट कसरि फाइदा लिने
Business is an Engine for Development and Economic Growth
ब्यापार, बिकास र अर्थिक वृदिको इन्जिन् हो
भारु सँगको बिनिमय दर परिवर्तन नहुने
डब्लुटिओको नवौ मन्त्रि स्तरिय बैठकका लागि सार्कको साझा अजेण्डा तय
डब्लुटिओमा सार्कको साझा प्रस्ताब लैजान आग्रह
Regional Training of Economic Journalists
बाली सम्मेलनमा सार्कका साझा एजेन्डा लैजान सुझाब
SAWTEE-IPS Train South Asian Economic Journalist
SAARC Journalists Sown Nexus Between Trade, Climate Change and Food Security
Regional Consultation calls for Collection Position at MC9
Bijaya in Lanka Meet
उधोग संरक्षणमा संबेदनशिल सुची आबश्यक
Expert Indicates Insufficient Aid for Trade in SAARC Region
महँगो डलर बजारभाउ उच्च दरले बढ्ने अनुमान
अधाबधिक औधोगिक सूचना अभाब
डलर बृदीले महंगी बढाउने
Govt Sets 'Ambitious' Targets Despite Industrial Slowdown
पुर्वाधार र उर्जा बजेट को प्राथमिकता
Budget Must Enhance Competitiveness
डलर इतिहासकै महँगो
Free Vehicular Movement in South Asia
What to Do with Doing Business Report
India China lnk Eight Agreement on Trade, Water
नयाँ डब्लुटियो प्रमुखका चुनौती
विकाशील मुलुकमा स्तरोन्नतिको आधार
दछिण एसियामा व्यापार पुर्बधार र गैरभन्सार अबरोध प्रमुख समस्या
Indian State Govts Against Bilateral Trade: Experts
व्यापार घाटा कम गर्न बिजुलीमात्र विकल्प
राजनैतिक उतारचढाबले व्यापार सुधार हुन सकेन
गैर भन्सार अबरोधले घाटा बढायो
NTBs Choke Intra Regional Trade
व्यापार विस्तारमा गैरभन्सार अबरोध प्रमुख समस्या
गैरभन्सार अबरोध का कारण बैधानिक व्यापार हतोत्साह
व्यापारमा गैरभन्सार अबरोध प्रमुख समस्या
आबश्यकता : राज्य र बजारको सहकार्यको
उधोग संरक्षणमा संबेदनसिल सुची आबश्यक
खासाको व्यापार क्यारिंग एजेन्टको नियन्त्रणमा
Target 7% Growth
Full Budget Faces Hosts of Challenges
Economists Slam Budget, Private Sector Welcome It.
Cereal Imports Jump 87.5 pc in 8 Months
Government Should Establish a Special Economic Zone
Govt to Implement SWAP Concept in Trade Sector
Club of Tongues
कृषिमा परनिर्भरता बढ्दो
Exports to China Jumps 220pc
Experts Seek Regional Supply Chain
निर्यात बार्षिक २० प्रतिसतले बढ्नु पर्छ
Luxury Items, Farm Products Jack Up Trade Deficit
अहिलेकै अवस्थामा सय अर्ब निकासी सम्भव देखिदैन
New Programme Aims to Ease Food Shortage in Nepal
Sri Lanka to Host South Asia Economic Policy Sumit
प्रत्येक फर्मले तोकिएको बस्तु मात्र आयतनिर्यात गर्न पाउने
Experts Seek Political Commitment to Secure Donors Support for Trade
नेपालमा आर्थिक भिजन भएका नेता भएनन
गैरभन्सार अबरोधले व्यापार प्रभावित
गैरभन्सार अबरोधले व्यापारमा असर
अफ्रीकामा नेपाली प्रबिधि
Monopoly May Rule Roost in Absence of Effective Monitoring
प्रतिस्पर्धा ऐन कार्यान्वयन आवश्यक
अनुगमन कमजोर हुदा बजारमा बिकृति बढे
चिनिया अधुवा नेपाली बनाएर भारत निकासी
नेपाल भारत पारवहन सन्धि बिनासंसोधन नबिकरण प्रकरण
Govt Plans to Increase Exports to Rs 100b in Three Years
S Asian Transit Agreement Will Increase Trade
ट्रेड स्वाप मार्फत व्यापार साहयता परिचालन
औषधि को मूल्य खोइ
Exports to China Go Up Four-Fold to Rs 980m
Nepali Gov't to Formulate New Policy to Boost Domestic Trade
Nepal India Set to Revisit Transit Treaty
निर्यात व्यापार १ खर्ब पुर्याउन कठिन
Aid for Trade Should Help Promote Export
Nepal's Exports Fall
Absence of Standardisation Has Hit Agriculture Economy Hard
व्यापार प्रबर्दनका लागि गुणस्तर बृदीमा जोड
अन्तरास्ट्रिय मापदण्ड विकासशील देशअनुकुल हुनुपर्दछ
Regional Connectivity Meet to Discuss More Access
SAARC and The Challenges Ahead
Transit Facility to Help Intra-Regional Trade
EU Extends GPS Facility Till Jan 1
दक्षीण एशियामा चिनिया प्रभाब
खाध्य सुरक्षाका लागि कृषि-जैविक बिबिधता प्रवर्दन आवश्यक
Book Release Covered by The Himalayan Times
अर्थ बाणिज्यसम्बन्धि पुस्तक बिमोचन
SAWTEE, SACEPS Launch Book on Regional Economy
Improve Trade Facilitation, Regional Connectivity
आर्थिक मन्दी को प्रभाब कम गर्न क्षेत्रीय एकता
Regional Integration can Counter Economic Crisis
क्षेत्रीय आर्थिक समन्वय अत्यावश्यक
Decision to Include RMG in NTIS Draws Flak
Agriculture in Transition
SAFTA: Time to Tackle NTBs in Earnest
Why is Nepal Still Struggling as a Developing Nation Dependent on AID?
डच रोग बन्दै रेमिट्यान्स
Nepal Can be More Competitive by Improving Investment and Upgrading Infrastructure
Dutch Disease Starts to Take Toll on Economy
Public Transport in Nepal Double-O Driver
Analysis: Humanitarian Fallout from Nepal's Constitutional Stalemate
Nepal's Unfinished Revolution
Cost Competitive Products Key to Bridge Trade Gap
Nepal's Terms of Trade Declined by 31pc Annually Over Last Decade
आर्थिक मन्दीसँग जुध्न संयुक्त रुपमा काम गर्नुपर्छ
Politics Overshadowing Economic Agendas: Experts
China Removes Hurdles in Citrus Export
Chinese Investment Generates More Employment
South Asian Nations Agree to Reduce Negative List
World Bank to Help Nepal Boost Trade
LDC in South Asia being Marginalised
Create LDC Integration Fund: Experts
नेरु - भारु स्थायी विनिमयदर
आर्थतन्त्रको सुधारमा सरकारले मेहेनत गरेकै छैन
Climate Change Threatens SAARC Economies
जलबायु परिबर्तनले आर्थिक वृद्धिदर प्रभावित
दुई डिग्री तापक्रम बढ्दा ५ प्रतिसत जीडिपी ह्रास
Effort to Ensure Food Security
Enhancing Nepal’s Exports through WTO Compliance (TV Programmes)
Trade Failure with China
WTO Offers Lots of Benefits for Nepal
Consumer Awareness and Inflation
24 Carat Manager
Reliable Strategy Needed to Boost Agribusiness
Intra-Industry Trade Potential in South Asia is Underutilised’
Nepal's Problem with Exports
Is Cash Incentive for Exports a Flawed Policy?
Reviving Exports with SEZs
Nepalese Banking Crisis Explained
Misplaced Export Incentives
Aid for Trade Can Do Nothing About Our Governance Problem
TIFA: Where is our homework?
Grains of truth
Wake-up call for food security