The Digital Nepal Conclave 2024 (2081) has concluded successfully. The event ran on the theme of Harmonizing Digitalization and Development and witnessed a total of five-panel sessions and more than ten presentations.
The event has the presence of several key figures from the government. Minister of Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, the Minister of Finance Mr. Barshman Pun, Hon’ble Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda, and Former Prime Minister Mr. KP Sharma Oli were among the attendees.
The conference was inaugurated by Prime Minister Prachanda. The event took place at the Marriott Hotel in Kathmandu on Friday, June 07. It was the third edition of the growingly relevant and popular digital fair that discusses the premises of the digital growth of the country.
The event stressed the discussion of the digitalization and development of Digital Nepal over five panel discussions and over ten presentations. Below, we have all the DNC 2024 highlights:
Digital Nepal Conclave 2024 (2081) included presentations and panel discussions on digitalization
In line with this year’s theme of Harmonizing Digitalization and Development, the presentations and panel discussions focused on Digital Public Infrastructure. Also, the experts had in-depth discussions on Sustainable Telecommunications for Digital Transformation, Innovative Technologies for Development, Digital Empowerment and Inclusion. Along with these, the topics of Digital Governance and Data for Development, and Digital Economy and Investment for Digital Nepal were also in the discussion.
Additionally, power dialogue sessions were held with former Primer Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Hon’ble Minister of Communication and Information Technology Ms. Rekha Sharma. At the same time, Finance Minister Mr. Barshaman Pun addressed the digital economy and ICT policies in the new Fiscal Year FY 2081/82 budget.
Mr. Pun also said that work will soon get underway to build a workstation. The government has already conducted studies in parts of Kathmandu for the venue. He said that startups and those working in limited spaces in their houses could come and work from the workstation. According to the finance minister, the facility will have 200 to 250 offices with a continuous supply of internet, electricity, security, etc.
The plan for a workstation was announced in the recent budget speech. It is only pleasing that the government has already started concrete work on it.
PM Dahal acknowledges IT for social justice and good governance
While inaugurating the conclave, PM Prachanda hailed information technology as a key driver for achieving social justice, good governance, and economic prosperity. He shared that the government has given significant priority to the ICT sector in the budget for FY 2081/82.
The government aims to export ICT services worth Rs 3 trillion in the next 10 years and create 1.5 million different employment
PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” shares at the Digital Nepal Conclave 2024
“We are working to advance information technology as a carrier of the economy,” said Prime Minister Dahal. “We have declared this decade for information technology and have made fiscal year 2081/82 B.S. as the starting point of it. The government’s goal is to create 1.5 million jobs in the next 10 years, including 500 thousand direct and 1 million indirect jobs, and export worth 3 trillion rupees.”
Adding to that, the PM also said that there is a need to carry forward the development through maximum utilization of the ICT industry. He noted the progress Nepal has made in the digital landscape despite negative heresy that nothing happens in Nepal.
Former PM Oli points out some positives and some “others”
During the Power Dialogue National Leadership Session, former PM KP Sharma Oli discussed technology-friendly service delivery and infrastructure development during his tenure. However, he reserved criticisms on the lack of effort to advance ahead game-changing initiatives such as the Digital Nepal Framework and the Nagarik App five years ago. He said that the efforts of the subsequent governments for the industry were lacking due to policy inconsistencies and trivial matters such as the TikTok ban.
The former PM also took his time to address the current corruption cases in the ICT sector. He said, “People from remote areas don’t come and engage in ICT corruption; it is done by those who are knowledgeable”. He stressed the importance of supporting startups and innovation: “In today’s era, loans should not be given by mortgaging property, house, or land; so that innovative people without money can also achieve extraordinary success”.
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Communication Minister Sharma highlights the positive environment in the ICT industry
In her turn during the Power Dialogue session at DNC 2024, Communication Minister Ms. Rekha Sharma highlighted positivities in the industry. She noted the “enthusiastic environment” that has been created in Nepal’s information and communication technology industry. But she also called for the collective public/private efforts in advancing information technology in Nepal. Similarly, Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun said that information technology is a transformative sector capable of driving the economy. He emphasized that the government has duly acknowledged the industry accordingly in the budget for FY 2081/82.
President of Leapfrog Technology Inc., Himal Karmacharya, delivered the keynote presentation on Driving Digitalization and Development. In her keynote, he stressed prioritizing local companies, starting small, and focusing on mobile-centric services. He also credited the growing capability of Nepali IT firms to provide world-class services.
Likewise, ICT Foundation Nepal Chairman Mr. Razan Lamsal welcomed attendees and pointed out the challenges in impending policies and programs that the government announced in the recent budget speech. He also spoke on hindering the coordination between digitization and development which could derail the “digital” projects for the country.
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Notable speakers at the Digital Nepal Conclave 2024
Centered on the theme of Harmonizing Digitalization and Development, the Digital Nepal Conclave 2024 featured notable speakers such as the Hon’ble Member of the House of Representatives, Nepal, Ms. Sobita Gautam, Hon’ble Member of National Planning Commission Dr. Ram Kumar Phuyal, and Mayor of Ghorahi Municipality Mr. Naru Lal Chaudhary.
Among other speakers were the likes of the CEO OF Ncell Limited Mr. Jaoobor Kayumov, Vice President of CNI Mr. Hemraj Dhakal, Executive Director of IIDS Dr. Biswas Gauchan, Spokesperson of Nepal Rastra Bank Dr. Gunakar Bhatta, Chairperson of WorldLink Communications Mr. Dileep Agrawal, and Former Minister of Karnali Province Mr. Krishna Bahadur G.C. among others.
Patrons of the conclave included former minister Ganesh Shah, ICT expert Mr. Manohar Kumar Bhattarai, Prof. Dr. Subarna Shakya, Prof. Dr. Manish Pokharel, and Mr. Birendra Mishra, who shared their views on the conclusions and necessary efforts in various sessions.
The presentation on the Digital Public Infrastructures
The presentations on the Digital Public Infrastructures were given by two speakers, Under Secretary, Mr. Subhash Dhakal, and CEO of Nepal Clearing House, Mr. Neelesh Man Pradhan. In the meantime, the presentation on Digital Governance was delivered by Ms. Sneha Shah, Senior Program Officer at D4D, The Asia Foundation, and Mr. Dipesh Bista, CEO of the E-Governance Commission.
The session on the Digital Economy featured a presentation by the President of NAS-IT Mr. Richan Shrestha. Ncell‘s CRLO Mr. Vishal Mani Upadhyay and advocate Anup Uprety from Pioneer Law Associates presented in the session on Sustainable Telecommunication and Policies for Digital Transformation.
Events such as this bring industry experts and stakeholders under one roof. Likewise, they shed light on the current state, help devise new plans, and formulate new policies. The Digital Divide state remains abysmal in Nepal despite the government’s continuous efforts. However, such events play crucial roles in bringing relevant improvements to the status quo of the digital state.
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Pitching of 12 ideas, 20 digital initiatives
The Digital Nepal Conclave 2024 (2081) also saw the pitching of 12 ideas and the showcase of 20+ digital initiatives. This included GeoKrishi, Koili Financial Services, Odoo Enterprise Digital Health, Riri AI, Integrated Municipal System, Kacific Satellite, One Point API Management, Pumori NextGen, Nagarik App, UNDP’s E-Building Permit, One Stop Service Delivery, and Nizi Power by Yarsa.
The lavish event saw the participation of over 600 representatives from federal, provincial, and local governments. Among the attendees were also the stakeholders, experts, private institutions, entrepreneurs, and startups. There were also the representatives in presentations and discussions from various tech firms abroad.
The Digital Nepal Conclave 2024 was organized in association with Ncell and powered by The Asia Foundation. The conference was supported byMoCIT, Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), Nepal Telecom (NTC), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), UNDP, Smarten Technology, Nabil Bank, Global IME Bank, eSewa, InfoDevelopers, Huawei, IME Pay, Broadway, Technorio, and Bitscraft.
Since the government published the transformative Digital Nepal Framework in 2019 AD, the ICT Foundation Nepal has been organizing Digital Nepal Conclaves and regional samvads (dialogues) and conclaves. The Foundation aims to contribute to the improvement of the digital ecosystem and infrastructure via reports, research, and programs.
You can find more information about the organization’s activities at www.digitalconclave.org. For more on the Digital Nepal Conclave 2024, drop your queries in the comments below.
