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कृषि वस्तु आयात प्रतिस्थापन र भ्यालु चेनमा लगानी

बजेट निर्माणको चरणमा रहेका बेला नयाँ वर्षसँगै लगानीका लागि कृषिका क्षेत्रहरूमा बाटो देखाउने र लगानी आकर्षित गर्ने जिम्मेबारी भने स्थानीय तह, प्रदेश सरकार र संघीय सरकारको छ । लगानी गर्न चाहनेहरू पनि सरकारलाई गाली गरेर देश बन्छ भन्ने मानसिकताबाट माथि उठेर योजनावद्ध तरिकाले लगानी गर्नुपर्छ । तब मात्र सम्वृद्धि सम्भव हुन्छ, अहिलेको पुस्ताकै पालामा ।

किरण आचार्य 

काठमाडाैं, २९ चैत

सरकारको लगानी सम्मेलनमा अन्य क्षेत्रसँगै कृषि पनि चर्चामा रह्यो । कृषिमा सातै प्रदेशमा कोल्ड स्टोर स्थापना र रासायनिक मल कारखानामा लगानी प्रस्ताव गरिए पनि लगानीको प्रतिबद्धता भने आएको पुष्टी भइसकेको छैन । हेर्दा निराशा लाग्ने यो खबर समग्र कृषि विकासको लागि भने गुनासो गरिहाल्ने खबर होइन । रासायनिक मल कारखाना स्थापना आफैंमा विवादित विषय हो भने कोल्ड स्टोर स्थापना सरकारले घोषणा गरेका वार्षिक कार्यक्रममा परेकै कार्यक्रम हुन् । यद्यपी कृषि अर्थतन्त्रको वृद्धिका लागि एउटा क्षेत्र मा नभइ समग्र कृषि मूल्य शृङखला (भ्यालु चेन) मा नै लगानी गर्नुपर्ने देखिन्छ । 

कृषिमा कति लगानी आवश्यक छ ? सायद सरकारसँग पनि स्पष्ट जवाफ छैन । तर लगानीका क्षेत्रहरू सतहमा देखिइनै रहेका छन् । बर्सेनि खर्ब वढीका कृषि उपज आयात गरेर नेपालीको भुँडी भरिँदैछ । त्यो आयातित वस्तु किन्ने खर्चको जोहो गर्न नेपालीहरू खाडिदेखि जापानसम्म धाउने दिन छन् । स्वदेशमै रोजगारीको व्यवस्था नहुँदा मासिक ३०-४० हजार तलबका लागि नै खाडिमा गएर पसिना बगाउने युवा जमातको संख्या पनि लाखौंमा छ । सरकारले स्वदेशमै रोजगारी सिर्जना गरि युवाको विदेश पलायन घटाउने र स्वदेशी उत्पान र उत्पादकत्वमा वृद्धि गर्दै समृद्ध नेपाल बनाउने सपना नेपालीलाई बाँडेको छ । सरकारी सपना र नेपालीको आर्थिक स्थिति बलियो बनाउनका लागि भने कृषिमा ठूलो लगानी आवश्यक पर्ने देखिन्छ । यस्तो लगानी ठूला कर्पोरेट हाउसदेखि साना किसानसम्मले आफ्नो गच्छे अनुसार गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ भने सरकारले लगानी सुरक्षा र उत्पादित वस्तुको बजारीकरणमा सहयोगी भूमिकामा रहनुपर्ने यस क्षेत्रका विज्ञ तथा सरोकारवालाको भनाइ रहँदै आएको छ । 

कृषिदेखिएको निराशाको मुख्य दुई क्षेत्र नै लगानीका मुख्य क्षेत्र हुन् । पहिलो बढ्दो आयात भइरहेको क्षेत्र । अर्थात् खर्बको कृषि उपज प्रतिस्थापन गर्न क्षेत्रहरूको पहिचान गरी सरकार, नीजि क्षेत्र र सहकारी मोडेलको लगानीका बाटाहरू पहिल्याउन सकिन्छ । यसका लागि सम्भावनाको क्षेत्र भनेको अर्को निराशाको विषय, उत्पादकवमा कमी हो । कृषिमा दक्षिण एसियामै कम उत्पादकत्व रहेको मुलुक हुनुको घाटा होइन, फाइदा लिन सक्नुपर्छ । “हामीले खेति गर्ने क्षेत्र बढाउन त सक्दैनौं तर उत्पादकत्व भने दोब्बर गर्न सक्ने अवस्था छ,” कृषि तथा पशुपंक्षी विकास मन्त्रालयका सचिव डा. युवकध्वज जीसीले उत्पादकत्व कम हुनुलाई अवसरको रूपमा प्रयोग गर्नुपर्ने र सोही मार्गचित्र कोरेर मन्त्रालय अघि बढीरहेको बताए । लगानी कुन क्षेत्रमा गर्ने त ? जुन–जुन बस्तु आयात भइरहको छ तिनै तिनै बस्तुमा लगानी गर्नुपर्ने सुझाव विज्ञहरूको छ । 

आयात हुने वस्तुको सूची बनाउँदा लाखदेखि माथि आयात गरिने कृषि उपज मात्र सयौंको संख्यामा छन् । यी क्षेत्र नै लगानीका क्षेत्र हुन् । आत्मनिर्भरताको लागि आयात प्रतिस्थापन सरकारको प्रथामिकतामा पनि छ । र, यो प्राथमिकताको परिपूर्तिको लागि आयात बढी हुने वस्तुमा लगानी गर्न सकिने सम्भावना रहेको कृषि विज्ञ डा. कृष्ण पौडेलको भनाइ छ । मासु, दूध, फलफूल, आलु, हरियो तरकारी, लसुन, प्याज, खुर्सानी, कागति, दाल, मसलाजन्य उत्पादन, माछा, चामल, तेलदेखि काजुु, बदा, नरिवल, सुपारी हुँदै मह, चिया, कफीलगायतका क्षेत्र नेपालको कृषि क्षेत्रमा लगानी गर्न सकिने क्षेत्र हुन् । यी क्षेत्रमा लगानी गर्दा एकातिर नेपाली रूपैयाँ विदेशिनबाट जोगिन्छ भने अर्कोतिर स्वदेशमै रोजगारी सिर्जना हुने अवस्था देखिन्छ । स्याउ, कफी, तरकारीलगायत खाद्य पदार्थको प्राङ्गारिक उत्पादनतर्फको आकर्षण बढीरहेका सन्दर्भमा वस्तुहरू उत्पादन अग्र्यानिक तरिकाले गर्नुपर्नेमा डा. पौडेलको जोड छ । कृषिमा लगानी गर्दा लगानी गर्नेले पनि अध्ययन गरेर लगानी गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ भने सरकारले सहजीकरणको भूमिकामा रहनुपर्छ । गोठदेखि ओठसम्म, आलिदेखि थालीसम्मका कृषि मूल्य श्रृंखलामा लगानी गरिनुपर्छ । बिउविजनको उत्पादनदेखि वस्तुको उत्पादन, गुणस्तर मापन, भन्डारण र बजारीकरण व्यवस्थित र सस्तो उत्पादनमा जोड दिनुपर्ने हुन्छ । आयात नै लगानीको सम्भावना बोकेका यी क्षेत्र लगानीका क्षेत्र बन्न सक्छन् ।

माछा, मासु तथा दुग्धजन्य उत्पादनमा लगानी

नेपालमा मासु तथा दुग्धजन्य उत्पादनको आयातको तथ्यांक ठूलै छ । बर्सेनि यो तथ्यांक बढ्दो दरमा देखिन्छ । गत वर्षमात्र ८ अर्बभन्दा बढीको मूल्यको माछा, मासुजन्य तथा दुग्धजन्य उत्पादन आयात भएको तथ्यांक छ । यो तथ्यांक व्यापार घाटा कम देखाउने तथ्यांक मात्र नभई नेपालमा लगानी गर्न सकियो भने यति रकम बराबरको आम्दानी नेपालले नै गर्ने अवसरका रूपमा पनि लिन सकिन्छ । खासगरि सहरी क्षेत्रमा खसिबोका, राँगा, बंगुर, कुखुरा लगाएतका वस्तुको ठूलो माग हुने गर्छ । यो माग पूर्तिका लागि भइरहेका घरेलु उत्पादनलाई प्रवद्र्धन र व्यावसायिक फार्महरूका लागि नीजि लगानी आकर्षित गर्न सकिन्छ । यसका लागि सरकारले बिमा, सहुलियत ऋण, कोल्ड स्टोरको व्यवस्थालगायत मूल्यश्रृंखला विकासमा योगदान गर्र्नुपर्ने हुन्छ । यसका लागि उच्च नश्लका बाख्रा, धेरै दूध दिने गाई तथा गाईका ब्रीडहरू बाहिरबाट ल्याउनमा सरकारले भूमिका खेल्नुपर्छ । कुखुरा र अन्डा हाल नेपालमै उत्पादन हुन्छ भने बाँकी उत्पादनमा ठूला फार्महरू खोलेर स्व��ेशमै रोजगारी र आर्थिक उपार्जनको वातावरण बनाउनुपर्ने हुन्छ । माछा पनि अर्को लगानीको महत्वपूर्ण क्षेत्र हो ।

कुल गाहस्थ्र्य उत्पादनमा १२ प्रतिशत योगदान रहेको यो क्षेत्रमा लगानीका सम्भावनाहरूलाई पहिल्याएर लगानी गर्न सके लाभ लिन सकिन्छ । लगानीकर्ताले भने राम्रोसँग बुझेर, अनुसन्धान गरेर मात्र लगानी गर्नुपर्छ । विना अध्ययन गरिने लगानीले डुबाउन पनि सक्छ । कृषि आफैंमा प्राविधिक विषय भएकाले राम्रोसँग परामर्श लिएर, उत्पादन लागत अध्ययन, बजारको ग्यारेन्टी, जोखिम बहनका अवस्था, कृषि बिमा, कृषि ऋण, अनुदानलगायतका विषयमा राम्रोसँग अध्ययन गरेर मात्र लगानीकर्ताले लगानी गर्नुपर्छ । र सरकारले लगानी गर्नु मात्र भनेर हुँदैन, लगानी सुरक्षाको ग्यारेन्टी लिनुपर्छ । 

दुग्ध तथा पशुजन्य उत्पादनको अवस्था हेर्दा हाल झोल दूधमा नेपाल करिव करिव आत्मनिर्भरको अवस्थामा छ । तर, दुग्धजन्य पदार्थको स्वदेशमै उत्पादन गर्न पनि लगानी गर्न सकिन्छ । बंगुरको मासु उच्च गुणस्तरको उत्पादन गर्न सकने छिमेकी मुलुक चीनमा जति पनि पठाउन सकिने अवस्था छ, मम खाने राँगा पनि विदेशबाट ल्याउने अवस्था हटाउन लगानी गर्न सकिन्छ । सहरी जनसंख्यालाई लक्षित गरेर ठूलो मात्रमा बाख्रापालन गर्न सकिन्छ, कुखुरा पालन तथा अन्डा उत्पादन विस्तरमा लगानी गर्न सकिन्छ । दूधबाट बन्ने भेराइटीहरूको लागि पनि दूध उत्पादनमा लगानी गर्न सकिन्छ । सरकारी सहयोग रहने हो भने नेपालीले नै लगानी गरेर यो क्षेत्रबाट आर्थिक सम्वृद्धि हासिल गर्न सक्ने अवस्था देखिन्छ ।

फलफूल, तरकारी, मसलाजन्य उत्पादनमा लगानी

आयातको तथ्यांक हेर्दा जिब्रो टोक्ने अवस्था रहेको क्षेत्र तरकारी उत्पादनको क्षेत्र पनि हो । खुर्सानी, जिरा, धनिया, कागती, साग, आलु, काउली, बन्दा लगायत हरियो तरकारी आदि । सायद आयात नगरिने तरकारी कुनै पनि छैन होला । आलु, टमाटर र हरियो तरकारी आयात मात्र करिव १२ अर्ब रकम बराबरको छ । गत वर्षको तथ्यांक हेर्दा आलु मात्र करिव ६ अर्ब बराबरको आयात भएको देखिन्छ । यो कुल मागको ५० प्रतिशत हो । बाँकी टमाटर र हरियो तरकारी छन् । हरियो तरकारी करिव २५ प्रतिशत आयात हुने गरेका तथ्यांक छ । र यही तथ्यांकभित्र पनि आयात गर्ने क्षेत्र लुकेको छ । दशकअघि ५० प्रतिशतभन्दा बढी तरकारी आयात गर्ने सहरी क्षेत्रमा नेपाली उत्पादकको मेहनत र परिश्रमले आयातको दर आधा घटको छ । 

विशेष गरि वेमौसमी तरकारी, टमाटर, आलुलगायतको क्षेत्रमा गरिएको लगानी धेरै प्रतिशत सुरक्षित नै देखिन्छ । समस्या कहिले काँही बजार नपाउँदाको छ । तर, यो समस्या पनि अध्ययन गरेर गरिने लगानीले केही हदसम्म कम गर्न सक्छ । मुख्यगरी उत्पादन लागत बढी हुने र बजारको सुनिश्चितता नहुदा लगानी जोमिममा पर्ने गरेको देखिन्छ । यस्तोमा लगानीकर्ताले मूल्य श्रृंखलामा राम्रो अध्ययन गरेर लगानी गर्नुपर्छ । सकेसम्म भारतमा तरकारी तयार हुने सिजनलाई छलेर उत्पादन गर्न सक्यो भने स्वदेशी उत्पादनले बजार पाउँछ । सरकारले ठूला बजारहरू, कोल्ड स्टोरहरू मात्र स्थापना र व्यवस्थित गर्यो भने ठूलै काम हुन्छ । 

भान्साको सहयोगी कृषि उपज लसुन चीनबाट र प्याज भारतबाट ल्याएरै काम चलाउनुपर्ने अवस्था विद्यमान छ । आयातको सूची लामै छ । फलफूल उत्पादनको क्षेत्र निकै सम्भावनाको क्षेत्र हो । चिनिया स्याउ र भारतको केरा, आँप, अनार, सुन्तलालगायतका उत्पादनका भरमा नेपाली बजार चलेको छ । यस्तोमा आयातलाई विस्तारै प्रतिस्थापन गर्ने रणनीतिका साथ स्वदेशमै गुणस्तरीय उत्पादन गर्न सकिन्छ । केरा र आँपमा नेपालको उत्पादन पनि राम्रो छ । अप्ठ्यारो परेका बेला नहेर्ने सरकारको व्यवहार देख्दा लगानीकर्ता हतोत्साहित भएको पनि पाइन्छ । तर, समस्या आइपर्नु भनेको यस्ता समस्या भविष्यमा नआउन भनेर उपायको खोजी गर्ने अवसर पनि हो । कतिपय अवस्थामा भएको क्षतिमा बिमा नगरिएका कारण क्षतिको मात्र बढेको पाइएको छ भने कतिपय अवस्थामा सरकारले सहजीकरणमा देखाएको अनुदारताले पनि समस्या परेको देखिन्छ । यद्यपी सबै खाले व्यवस्थाको अध्ययन गरी व्यावसायिक उत्पादनमा लगानी गर्दा भने फाइदै हुन्छ । सरकारले व्यावसायिक उत्पादन गर्न चाहनेको सुविधामा नीतिगत तथा कार्यक्रमहरू बनाएर सहयोगी भूमिका खेल्नुपर्छ ।

चिया, कफी, तेललगायतका क्षेत्र

कृषिमा लगानी क्षेत्रमा चिया, कफी, मह, अलैंची, अदूवालगायत दर्जनौं वस्तु छन् । एवोकाडो, किवी जस्ता नयाँ र उच्च मूल्यका वस्तुमा पनि लगानीको प्रसस्त सम्भावना देखिन्छ । जडिबुटीजन्य उत्पादनहरूको पनि व्यावसायिक उत्पादन गर्न सम्भव देखिन्छ । जसमा लगानी गर्न जरुरी देखिन्छ । पुष्पजन्य क्षेत्रमा पनि उत्पादन र निर्यातको पनि सम्भावना देखिन्छ । गत आर्थिक वर्षमा मात्र ३२ अर्बको तेल तथा तेलजन्य उपज आयात भएको छ । यो तथ्यांक पनि बर्सेनि बढ्दो क्रममै छ । तोरी, सोयाबिन, जैतुल, सनफ्लावरदेखि नरिवलको तेलसम्म भारत तथा तेस्रो मुलुकबाट आयात भइरहेको छ । 

अन्न भन्डार मानिने तराईमा तोरीको उत्पादन जति पनि हुन सक्छ । पहाडी क्षेत्रमा पनि तोरी, जैतुन, सोयाबिनलगायतको उत्पादन हुने गर्छ । भने हामी किन यी क्षेत्रमा लगानी नगर्ने । त्यसमाथि भटमास र तोरीको पीनासमेत दानाका लागि करोडौं रकम बराबरको आयात गर्ने गरिएको छ । यी उत्पादन नेपालमै गर्न सके तेल र दाना उद्योगलाई पनि फाइदै पुग्छ । यी तेलजन्य उपजको उत्पादनको सम्भावना नेपालमा अधिक छ । दानाको लागि आवश्यक मकै उत्पादन गर्न सकिन्छ । अपुग खाद्यान्न बाली उत्पादनमा सरकारले अनुदानमा लगानी गर्न सक्छ । यी बाहेक मसलाजन्य उत्पादन पनि लाभदायीक क्षेत्रमा पर्छन् । टिमुर, ओखर, कोदो, फापर, बेसार, दालजन्य उत्पादन पनि लगानीका क्षेत्र हुन् ।

लगानी वातावरण

कृषि उपजमा लगानी गर्ने सम्भावना प्रसस्त छ । यसका लागि वातावरण भने आवश्यक पर्छ । अनुकूल मौसम नेपालको प्रमुख वातावरण हो लगानीका लागि । हिमाल, पहाड, तराई तीनै क्षेत्रमा सिजनअनुसारका उत्पादन नै गर्न सक्यो भने पनि आवश्यकताअनुसार एक क्षेत्रबाट अर्को क्षेत्रमा पठाउन सकिन्छ । यसका लागि सरकारले लगानी गर्ने वातावरण बनाउनुपर्ने हुन्छ । तीनै तहका सरकारले नीतिगत रूपमा लगानीको बातावरण बनाउनुपर्ने हुन्छ भने कार्यक्रमहरू पनि कृषिलाई प्रवद्र्धन गर्नेलाई प्राथमितामा राख्नुपर्छ । 

अप्ठ्यारो परेका बेला सरकारले सहयोगी हात अगाडि बढाउनुपर्छ, तब मात्र लगानीका लागि वातावरण थप अनुकूल बन्नेछ । कृषिमा हजारदेखि करोडौंसम्म लगानी गर्न खोज्ने जमात देखिदै आएका छन् । विदेशमा सिकेको शीपलाई स्वेदशमा प्रयोग गर्न चाहने युवादेखि कर्पोरेट क्षेत्रका लगानीकर्ता पनि कृषिमा आकर्षित हुँदै गरेको देखिन्छ । मुलुकका ६६ प्रतिशत जनता कृषिमा रहेको सन्दर्भमा किसानमध्ये पनि अधिकांश साना किसान रहेको मुलुकमा साना किसानको कृषि प्रवद्र्धनमा पनि लगानी गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ । साना किसानले आफूलाई आवश्यक पर्ने उत्पादन आफ्नो परिवारलाई आवश्यक पर्ने उत्पादन आफैंले गर्नु पनि आफैंमा अर्थतन्त्रमाथिको योगदान हो ।

कुल गाहस्थ्र्य उत्पादनमा २९ प्रतिशत योगदान रहेको यो क्षेत्रमा आधुनिकीकरण, यान्त्रिकीकरणको सहायताले कृषिमा निर्भरको संख्या कम र उत्पादन तथा उत्पादकत्व बढाउन सकिन्छ । यसका लागि तीनै तहका सरकार आपसी समन्वयमा गम्भीर ढंगले लाग्नुपर्ने हुन्छ । कृषिमा लगानी बढाउन सहुलियत ऋण र बिमालाई ��ात्र प्रभावकारी बनाउन सक्यो भने मात्र पनि आधा भन्दा बढी वातावरण बन्छ । त्यसपछिको गर्नुपर्ने काम मूल्य श्रृंखलामा सुधारमा सरोकारवाला पक्ष लाग्नुपर्छ । बजारको ग्यारेन्टीका लागि सरकारले बढी भूमिका खेल्नुपर्छ । यी सब भैरहँदा सरकारले साना किसानका लागि अनुदानको व्यवस्था निरन्तर गर्नुपर्छ । 

ठूला र साना किसानलाई एउटै कसीमा राखेर हेरिनु हुँदैन । ठूला किसानलाई ऋण अनुदानमा विशेष पहल गर्नुपर्छ भने सरकारले साना किसानलाई बीउ, बिरुवा, मलखाद, प्रविधिमा अनुदान दिनुपर्ने हुन्छ । लगानीको अवस्था हेरेर अनुदानको व्यवस्था भने सरकारले गर्नुपर्छ । कृषकको प्रगति नै राज्यको प्रगति भन्ने मानसिकता बोकेर तीनै तहका सरकारले योजनावद्ध तरिकाले लाग्नुपर्छ भने लगानीकर्ताले पनि आफ्नो दायित्व पूरा गर्दै लाभका काममा लाग्नुपर्छ । कृषिको लगानीले प्रतिफल पक्कै दिन्छ । 

बजेट निर्माणको चरणमा रहेका बेला नयाँ वर्षसँगै लगानीका लागि कृषिका क्षेत्रहरूमा बाटो देखाउने र लगानी आकर्षित गर्ने जिम्मेबारी भने स्थानीय तह, प्रदेश सरकार र संघीय सरकारको छ । लगानी गर्न चाहनेहरू पनि सरकारलाई गाली गरेर देश बन्छ भन्ने मानसिकताबाट माथि उठेर योजनावद्ध तरिकाले लगानी गर्नुपर्छ । तब मात्र सम्वृद्धि सम्भव हुन्छ, अहिलेको पुस्ताकै पालामा ।

काराेबार दैनिकमा शुक्रवार, चैत्र २९, २०७५ मा प्रकाशित

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Business Environment in Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country on the southern slope of the Himalayas. The geographical position of the country plays a significant role for its development as a business hub as it lies in between the world’s two giant economy - India and China.

For complete info on Business environment in Nepal click here Business environment in Nepal.

Economic Indicators of Nepal

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Why Nepal

Nepal is strategically located between two large and rapidly growing economies China and India, with easy access to markets of more than 2.6 billion people. Nepal has large pool of capable workers (out of total population of 28.98 million, 61% are of working age i.e.15-65 years). Nepal has relatively low cost of labor. Nepal is ranked 2nd after Bhutan among south Asian countries in the “Ease of Doing Business Report 2016” by the World Bank Group. Foreign investors are allowed 100% ownership of a company in a majority of sectors. Repatriation of capital and profits are allowed by law. Various bilateral investment protection and double tax avoidance arrangements are in place. Nepal has signed Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) with India, Finland, Germany, Mauritius, UK, and France. Similarly, Nepal has signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Austria, China, India, Korea, Mauritius, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Compared to other countries in South Asia, Nepal offers the lowest tax burden in the region. Some of the reasons for comparatively high ROI in Nepal include: -

a.       Huge investment potential in tourism, hydro-power, agriculture, and mine and mineral sectors; - Abundance of natural resources; - Maximum income tax rate of 25% and value added tax (VAT) of 13%; -

b.      Income tax concession on profits from exports and interest income on foreign loans;

c.       Withholding tax rate of 15% on royalties and technical & management fees; and

d.      Customs, excise duties, and VAT levied on raw materials and auxiliary raw materials of export oriented industries is reimbursed to the exporter on the basis of the amount of exports within 60 days of application.

Nepal has open boarder access to India. Nepal has duty free access to China for around 8,000 products. Nepal has duty free access to US market for 66 types of garment items for 10 years starting from 2016.

Socio-Political and Economic Environment

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After the devastating earthquake in 2015, followed by a trade blockade with major investor India and political unrest, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI’s) commitments in Nepal dropped to an almost all time low. Now, two years later, due to increased stability, reforms and initiatives such as the Nepal Investment Summit last March, 2017 FDIs in Nepal are on the rise again. One of Nepal’s great strategic economic advantages is its close proximity to some of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world. Looking just at the three major Indian provinces that border Nepal, the combined population – and potential market – adds up to almost 400 million. Despite being close to huge potential markets, Nepal has not been able to take advantage of it, resulting in disappointing economic growth rates compared to other South Asian countries. For landlocked countries such as Nepal, cross-border trade is important. In order to increase Nepal’s trade between neighboring countries India and China, numerous steps have been taken to improve its connectivity. Both India and Nepal have several joint road projects along the border. Last year, the Nepal Government has prioritized construction, expansion and blacktopping of four road sections that link Nepal with the Chinese border. And more recently, Nepal has signed an agreement with China to build an $8 billion cross-border rail link. In addition to the investments in infrastructure, Nepal government has also started a new and long due round of policy reforms. Among these reforms are a new labor law, the Industrial Enterprise Act, the Special Economic Zone Act, the Agribusiness Promotion Bill and most importantly for foreign investors – the Foreign Investment Bill and amended Companies Act. All these changes will hopefully help Nepal live up with its potential and its ambitious aim to graduate from Least Developed Country status by 2022. For those who’ve been waiting to see how the wind would blow after the earthquake, now is the time to look ahead towards the bright future and jump on the bandwagon to do business in Nepal!

 Potential Areas/Sectors for Investment in Nepal

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a.       Energy

Nepal is rich in water resources with multiple sources of water, including glaciers, snowmelt from the Himalayas, rainfall and groundwater. Nepal’s theoretical capacity of hydropower is around 80,000 MW, out of which 43,000 MW is estimated to be economically feasible. However, installed capacity is only 750 MW of electricity, despite the fact that peak domestic demand (suppressed) is well over 1,000 MW. Demand for electricity is increasing at 7–9% per year. Nepal is targeting graduating from least developed country (LDC) status to developing country status by 2022 and aims to become a middle income country by 2030. To meet its growth aspirations, Nepal will need to add 6,000+ MW (which requires investment of approximately USD 10 billion). Consequently, a lot of industries and infrastructure projects are in the pipe- line opening up huge opportunities. In addition to energy development, investment opportunities lie in the up gradation and expansion of distribution systems (for which investment of approximately USD 2 billion is required) and transmission systems (for which investment of approximately USD 4.45 billion is required). The Power Trade Agreement (PTA) signed with India has opened up a large market for exporting electricity to India. The SAARC Framework agreement on Energy Cooperation signed during the 18th SAARC Summit in 2014 will pave the way for the eventual formation of a regional energy market.

b.      Tourism:

With the world’s highest mountain range, the Himalayas, and 8 of the 10 highest peaks in world, Nepal has long been popular among mountaineers, trekkers and adventure seekers. It also offers beautiful lakes, steep rivers and gorges, unique wildlife, historic monuments, impressive fine arts, significant religious sites and exotic cultures attracting a wide array of travelers for a variety of reasons. Nepal is also a destination for religious tourism and pilgrimages. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and Pashupatinath and other Hindu pilgrimage sites are the main attractions for people following Buddhism and Hinduism. There are opportunities in developing tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, roads, airports, etc). There is also great potential for expanding the market for meetings, international conferences and events (MICE). Plans to upgrade the current international airport are underway, which will increase the tourist traffic significantly. The expansion of existing tourism products and introduction of new and innovative products has potential to attract different types of tourists and extend their average length of stay.

c.       Infrastructure

Only about 19% of roads in Nepal are all weather roads and 2 out of the 75 districts are still not connected by roads. Hence, there are many opportunities to expand the road network, for which the government is seeking to form public-private partnerships. Nepal’s main highways require expansion to accommodate the increase in traffic, which is another area for public-private partnerships. In order to cater to the needs of the growing population, the development of mass public transportation systems – bus-rapid transport (BRT), railways, monorails, airports has been prioritized. To finance these projects, the government is looking at public - private partnerships. Eight north-south corridors (roads) linking China and India through Nepal, a cross-border railway line connecting Kathmandu with China, five cross-border railway lines, ultimately connecting Kathmandu with India, a railway line along the East-West Highway, and cable cars in the hilly regions are planned.

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

d.      Agriculture

Nepal’s geography, topography, water resources and ample supply of labor give Nepal a comparative advantage in agricultural production. Nepal’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, which accounted for about 32% of GDP and absorbs about two- thirds of the labor market. Only 25% of the total land area is cultivable land; another 33% comprised of forest land and the rest is mountains. The lowlands of the terai region produce an agricultural surplus, which caters to the needs of the food-deficient in hill areas. The Agriculture Development Strategy 2014 recommends spending NPR 502 billion in 10 years. Nepal Government is currently focusing on the modernization, diversification, commercialization and marketing of the agriculture sector. Towards this, the government plans to make available agricultural inputs, such as irrigation, electricity, transportation and agro-credit. The Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010 focuses on the development of cardamom, ginger, honey, lentils, tea, noodles and medicinal herbs/essentials oil as priority export products. The Trade Policy 2015 reemphasizes the need to develop these products. Good opportunities exist in agriculture production; processing, packaging and branding. Also nontimber forest products, cardamom, ginger, aquaculture, vegetables, floriculture, tea, coffee and honey offer many opportunities. There are good opportunities in input markets (such as for seeds, nurseries, fertilizers, agricultural infra- structure and technology, and agriculture financing) and, due to favorable climatic conditions, the focus on high value organic crops is increasing.

e.      Information and Communication Technology

Nepal’s ICT sector is one of the fastest emerging sectors in the country, with huge potential for growth in the coming years. All the services related to the ICT sector are open to foreign direct investment, except for media. For telecommunications, 80% foreign ownership is allowed. The Government of Nepal has identified IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) in the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010 as one of the five priority potential export service sectors. The Trade Policy 2015 also reemphasizes the importance of developing this sector. As there are only two major telecommunications companies (NTC and Ncell) dominating the sector, there is room for new firms to enter the market. Foreign BPO companies can tap into the young English-speaking population and benefit from the cost advantages offered by the low wages and low establishment and operating costs. The time zone in Nepal is also favorable for companies looking to outsource from America or Europe. There are unmet needs for the use of ICTs in governmental agencies and the private sector.

f.        Health and Education

Opportunities exist in developing education infrastructure, including upgrading and building educational institutions and even education cities (medical, IT, engineering, management etc.), for which the government is seeking to engage in private-public partnerships. Every year, thousands of students go abroad for further studies spending large sums of money. With more and better education institutions within country, this could be avoided. The government is also looking to develop health infrastructure, including modernization and increasing the capacity of health facilities and mobilizing privately-run hospitals by means of public private partnerships. In terms of pharmaceuticals, there are persistent shortages of quality medicines in the market presenting opportunities for manufacturers of pharmaceutical goods.

g.       Financial Sector

Although the financial sector of Nepal is growing at a rapid pace, still 60% of Nepal’s population has no bank accounts and only 61% are served by formal financial institutions. Also, banking services are heavily concentrated in urban areas whereas 56% of the adults use banking products as compared to 36% in rural areas. Thus financial sector of Nepal still has a large untapped market for banking and financial services. Similarly, Nepal’s Insurance market has also huge potential as the penetration rate is only 1.31% in 2011.

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

h.      Mines and Minerals

Nepal has an abundance of minerals used in industry and construction, including limestone (most abundant), coal, talc, red clay, granite and marble, gold, and precious and semi-precious stones (tourmaline, aqua- marine, ruby and sapphire). Recent studies have shown that Nepal may have 2.5 billion metric tons of cement grade limestone. Nepal has an estimated 5 billion metric tons of dolomite and 180 million metric tons of high grade magnetite. In recent times, the western part of Nepal has witnessed gas and oil seepage, confirming the presence of oil and natural gas in Nepal. About 10 petroleum and natural gas exploration sites have been identified so far. Nepal has more than 20 million metric tons of ore reserves in more than 80 locations. Copper occurs in Nepal in more than 107 locations.

Follow here for How to Setup Business in Nepal http://bizserve.com.np/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/DBIN-Part-2.pdf

#BusineeInNepal #investinnepal #BusinessEnvironmentInNepal

[digitalgurkha]

Potential Area for Investment in Nepal

Here I’m going to write some Potential Area for Investment in Nepal. For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal .

(For Complete info in Current Investing Environment in Nepal click here Business Environment in Nepal )

a.       Energy:

Nepal is rich in water resources with multiple sources of water, including glaciers, snowmelt from the Himalayas, rainfall and groundwater. Nepal’s theoretical capacity of hydropower is around 80,000 MW, out of which 43,000 MW is estimated to be economically feasible. However, installed capacity is only 750 MW of electricity, despite the fact that peak domestic demand (suppressed) is well over 1,000 MW. Demand for electricity is increasing at 7–9% per year. Nepal is targeting graduating from least developed country (LDC) status to developing country status by 2022 and aims to become a middle income country by 2030. To meet its growth aspirations, Nepal will need to add 6,000+ MW (which requires investment of approximately USD 10 billion). Consequently, a lot of industries and infrastructure projects are in the pipe- line opening up huge opportunities. In addition to energy development, investment opportunities lie in the up gradation and expansion of distribution systems (for which investment of approximately USD 2 billion is required) and transmission systems (for which investment of approximately USD 4.45 billion is required). The Power Trade Agreement (PTA) signed with India has opened up a large market for exporting electricity to India. The SAARC Framework agreement on Energy Cooperation signed during the 18th SAARC Summit in 2014 will pave the way for the eventual formation of a regional energy market.

b.      Tourism:

With the world’s highest mountain range, the Himalayas, and 8 of the 10 highest peaks in world, Nepal has long been popular among mountaineers, trekkers and adventure seekers. It also offers beautiful lakes, steep rivers and gorges, unique wildlife, historic monuments, impressive fine arts, significant religious sites and exotic cultures attracting a wide array of travelers for a variety of reasons. Nepal is also a destination for religious tourism and pilgrimages. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and Pashupatinath and other Hindu pilgrimage sites are the main attractions for people following Buddhism and Hinduism. There are opportunities in developing tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, roads, airports, etc). There is also great potential for expanding the market for meetings, international conferences and events (MICE). Plans to upgrade the current international airport are underway, which will increase the tourist traffic significantly. The expansion of existing tourism products and introduction of new and innovative products has potential to attract different types of tourists and extend their average length of stay.

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

c.       Infrastructure:

Only about 19% of roads in Nepal are all weather roads and 2 out of the 75 districts are still not connected by roads. Hence, there are many opportunities to expand the road network, for which the government is seeking to form public-private partnerships. Nepal’s main highways require expansion to accommodate the increase in traffic, which is another area for public-private partnerships. In order to cater to the needs of the growing population, the development of mass public transportation systems – bus-rapid transport (BRT), railways, monorails, airports has been prioritized. To finance these projects, the government is looking at public - private partnerships. Eight north-south corridors (roads) linking China and India through Nepal, a cross-border railway line connecting Kathmandu with China, five cross-border railway lines, ultimately connecting Kathmandu with India, a railway line along the East-West Highway, and cable cars in the hilly regions are planned.

 d.      Agriculture:

Nepal’s geography, topography, water resources and ample supply of labor give Nepal a comparative advantage in agricultural production. Nepal’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, which accounted for about 32% of GDP and absorbs about two- thirds of the labor market. Only 25% of the total land area is cultivable land; another 33% comprised of forest land and the rest is mountains. The lowlands of the terai region produce an agricultural surplus, which caters to the needs of the food-deficient in hill areas. The Agriculture Development Strategy 2014 recommends spending NPR 502 billion in 10 years. Nepal Government is currently focusing on the modernization, diversification, commercialization and marketing of the agriculture sector. Towards this, the government plans to make available agricultural inputs, such as irrigation, electricity, transportation and agro-credit. The Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010 focuses on the development of cardamom, ginger, honey, lentils, tea, noodles and medicinal herbs/essentials oil as priority export products. The Trade Policy 2015 reemphasizes the need to develop these products. Good opportunities exist in agriculture production; processing, packaging and branding. Also nontimber forest products, cardamom, ginger, aquaculture, vegetables, floriculture, tea, coffee and honey offer many opportunities. There are good opportunities in input markets (such as for seeds, nurseries, fertilizers, agricultural infra- structure and technology, and agriculture financing) and, due to favorable climatic conditions, the focus on high value organic crops is increasing.

e.      Information and Communication Technology:

Nepal’s ICT sector is one of the fastest emerging sectors in the country, with huge potential for growth in the coming years. All the services related to the ICT sector are open to foreign direct investment, except for media. For telecommunications, 80% foreign ownership is allowed. The Government of Nepal has identified IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) in the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010 as one of the five priority potential export service sectors. The Trade Policy 2015 also reemphasizes the importance of developing this sector. As there are only two major telecommunications companies (NTC and Ncell) dominating the sector, there is room for new firms to enter the market. Foreign BPO companies can tap into the young English-speaking population and benefit from the cost advantages offered by the low wages and low establishment and operating costs. The time zone in Nepal is also favorable for companies looking to outsource from America or Europe. There are unmet needs for the use of ICTs in governmental agencies and the private sector.

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

f.        Health and Education:

Opportunities exist in developing education infrastructure, including upgrading and building educational institutions and even education cities (medical, IT, engineering, management etc.), for which the government is seeking to engage in private-public partnerships. Every year, thousands of students go abroad for further studies spending large sums of money. With more and better education institutions within country, this could be avoided. The government is also looking to develop health infrastructure, including modernization and increasing the capacity of health facilities and mobilizing privately-run hospitals by means of public private partnerships. In terms of pharmaceuticals, there are persistent shortages of quality medicines in the market presenting opportunities for manufacturers of pharmaceutical goods.

g.       Financial Sector:

Although the financial sector of Nepal is growing at a rapid pace, still 60% of Nepal’s population has no bank accounts and only 61% are served by formal financial institutions. Also, banking services are heavily concentrated in urban areas whereas 56% of the adults use banking products as compared to 36% in rural areas. Thus financial sector of Nepal still has a large untapped market for banking and financial services. Similarly, Nepal’s Insurance market has also huge potential as the penetration rate is only 1.31% in 2011.

(For Complete info in this topic click here Potential Area for Investment in Nepal)

h.      Mines and Minerals:

Nepal has an abundance of minerals used in industry and construction, including limestone (most abundant), coal, talc, red clay, granite and marble, gold, and precious and semi-precious stones (tourmaline, aqua- marine, ruby and sapphire). Recent studies have shown that Nepal may have 2.5 billion metric tons of cement grade limestone. Nepal has an estimated 5 billion metric tons of dolomite and 180 million metric tons of high grade magnetite. In recent times, the western part of Nepal has witnessed gas and oil seepage, confirming the presence of oil and natural gas in Nepal. About 10 petroleum and natural gas exploration sites have been identified so far. Nepal has more than 20 million metric tons of ore reserves in more than 80 locations. Copper occurs in Nepal in more than 107 locations.

Follow here for How to Setup Business in Nepal http://bizserve.com.np/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/DBIN-Part-2.pdf

#AreaToInvestInNepal #BusinessInNepal #InvestInNepal