‘Digital Nepal Conclave 2022’ underway in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: ‘Digital Nepal Conclave 2022’ organised by ICT Foundation Nepal in association with InfoDevelopers and Connected by Ncell began on Saturday. Vice President (VP) Nanda Bahadur Pun inaugurated the two-day 'Digital Nepal Conclave 2022' in Kathmandu on Saturday. Addressing the programme, Pun asserted that the State should highly prioritise the development and promotion of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. The two-day event has over 60 stakeholders and speakers from five countries. Over 10 sessions will be organised under various five themes during the event. Participants will assess the implementation of the action plan and programmes put in place by the government for the development and promotion of ICT sector. The event will also discuss the future course of action for the same. Stating that the State should move ahead in a planned manner for the rapid development of ICT sector, Vice President Pun spoke of the need to take forward programmes that help realise the government's vision for 'Digital Nepal Framework'. He also called for the need to move ahead systematically to tackle the challenges prevailing in the ICT sector. The VP also pressed for creating an environment to invent and manufacture the tools and equipment needed for the sector. Moreover, VP Pun said the public service delivery should be ensured through the medium of internet which, he opined, will make public service delivery accessible, easy and people-oriented. He also called for the activeness of three-tier governments for ensuring public service delivery in all parts of the country through the use of science and technology. "Unless Nepal develops its own Information Technology, other sectors will also not get an impetus for development," explained the VP. [caption id="attachment_25180" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki addresses 'Digital Nepal Conclave 2022’ organised by ICT Foundation Nepal in association with InfoDevelopers and Connected by Ncell in Kathmandu, on Saturday, June 18, 2022.[/caption] On the occasion, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said ICT sector aims to double its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) within two years while developing information technology with time. The government aspires to make Nepal an information technology savvy nation along with offering quality lifestyles through the maximum use and access of information technology, said the minister at the event. For the effective implementation of the Digital Nepal Framework, 2076, economic and strategic plans and policy-wise, legal, technical and structural arrangements have been made, he said, adding that the government has accorded 'special' focus to increase good governance while developing communication and information technology for the socio-economic transformation of the country. The government at all three levels has accorded 'special' priorities to information technology to make its public service effective and has launched various programmes to increase the maximum use of information technology in education, health, agriculture, finance, energy, tourism, urban development and infrastructures, said the minister. Umesh Raghubanshi, CEO of InfoDevelopers presented a working paper on 'IT Industry: Powering the Digital Nepal'. He opined that tax holiday facility should be provided for the ICT industry by arranging a separate Public Procurement Act. [caption id="attachment_25179" align="alignnone" width="1000"] This image shows participants at 'Digital Nepal Conclave 2022' organised by ICT Foundation Nepal in association with InfoDevelopers and Connected by Ncell in Kathmandu, on Saturday, June 18, 2022.[/caption] Similarly, Pallav Shah, General Manager, The Open Group India, while presenting a working paper on 'Experience of Digital Enterprise Architecture' pointed out the lack of uniformity and standard in ICT services, lack of policy, infrastructure and financial resources as major challenges. Likewise, William Zhang, CEO of Huawei Nepal, said, "There is great potential for digital transformation in Nepal but it requires the initial inclusion of rural parts of the country." Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Dinesh Shrestha, said it is necessary to end the trend of not allowing digital transformation initiatives for personal gain. He also expressed the commitment of the private sector for cooperation in the journey of Digital Nepal transformation. In the programme, ICT expert Manohar Bhattarai presented a paper on 'Key Elements of Strategy for Digital Nepal'. He said that investment priorities need to be reviewed to strengthen the ecosystem of digital transformation. He also said that the campaign should be closely monitored and evaluated. Speaking at the inaugural session of the program, Chairman of Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Purushottam Khanal, and Vice Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology Sunil Babu Shrestha, pointed out the need to reduce the digital divide by including citizens from the grassroots level in the ecosystem of Digital Nepal. A documentary covering the journey of Digital Province Dialogue 3.0 was also presented in the programme. Rajan Lamsal, President of ICT Foundation Nepal, said both the government and the private sector should jointly catty out Digital Nepal programme. "The dream of digital Nepal will not come true moving forward single-handed. If both the bodies move forward hand in hand, it can be taken forward," he said and added, "Concave will make a significant contribution to advancing the Digital Nepal campaign in the days to come." READ ALSO:

• 'Huawei Digital Nepal Conclave 2022' to kick off tomorrow