Samriddhi, The Prosperity Foundation

Missing the target

by Koshish Acharya | 22 May, 2013

National planning has, for a long time, been among the government’s favourite agendas. This can be traced back to the Rana period (before World War II) when the first 20-year plan was announced but nothing significant was achieved. Following that a 15-year plan implemented by the then Rana Prime Minister, Mohan Shamsher in 1949 for which a national planning committee was also formed.

Overcoming darkness

by Pramod Rijal | 05 May, 2013

There is unanimous agreement about the need to expedite hydropower development to meet the nation’s energy demand and fuel growth. However, there is lack of political will and policymaking to back that vision because both are products of a healthy political process, and with national politics scrambled as it is, it is all doom and gloom for the economy.

First Things First

by Sarita Sapkota | 24 April, 2013

In October 2011, the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) between Nepal and India was signed. While the prime minister received mixed reaction on issues surrounding the agreement, the move sent a message that the government stood for trade, investment and growth. This message was further reinforced when the prime minister announced the immediate action plan, labelling a list of infrastructure projects as a matter of ‘national pride’ and setting ambitious targets to complete them.

Dalit Capitalism

by Surath Giri | 18 March, 2013

Despite the almost universal acceptance of free markets as the most superior system for economic growth and prosperity around the world, the concept does not resonate well with policymakers and public intellectuals of Nepal. Free market as a means of social transform-ation may sound like a paradox but that is precisely what it is. An example from Nepal can shed light on this phenomenon.

Cooperation without Coercion

by Sarita Sapkota | 16 December, 2012

In the mid-18th century, Adam Smith gave a metaphor that would explain a great deal of economics in just three words — the invisible hand! Smith’s invisible hand was what brought solutions to seemingly intractable problems by just letting incentives fall into place.

Destination Nepal

by Surath Giri | 18 November, 2012

Blessed with mesmerising natural beauty and one of the rarest entourage of natural and cultural heritages in the world, Nepal could easily attract millions of tourists — at least in theory. But the highest number of tourists we have received in a year so far was some 736,215 in 2011, which was short of the initial target of a million tourists by more than one-fourth. Similarly, the tourism sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) remains less than four per cent.

Pirates in our midst!

by Anita Krishnan | 21 October, 2012

Every next day we hear in the media that a given Nepali movie did not generate enough revenues, that music piracy in Nepal is paramount and that the extent of availability of downloadable songs and books have undermined the importance of local market. All of these mentioned—movies, music, books fall under the creative industry.

Who Pays? Why Should People Bear the Losses of Public Enterprises

by Koshish Acharya | 23 September, 2012

Every year the Government subsidizes, provides loans, incurs bad debts and hence manages to save public enterprises from going out of business. Every year citizens pay a good amount of their hard earned money in the name of taxes only to have it cover losses these public enterprises incur. An important question that arises: Is it fair for the people to bear the cost of the failure of the public enterprises?

Infrastructure for Economic Growth

by Sarita Sapkota | 13 August, 2012

Lack of infrastructure is considered one of the greatest challenges in Nepal’s economic growth, especially lack of adequate transport infrastructure such as roads, air connectivity and bridges etc. which make economic activities possible and viable across the country. In this context, a lot of discussions revolve around the need to construct new transport infrastructures if we are serious about growth in Nepalese economy.

Changing priorities in education delivery

by Koshish Acharya | 16 July, 2012

The last decade has seen rising investment in the education sector of the country with massive investment being poured in by the government along with the private sector. Though education is viewed as an important sector in the social arena of the country, the economic outcome of education has not received considerable discussion among the stakeholders in Nepal.

Why blame private schools?

by Surath Giri | 22 May, 2013

Like an annual customary event, public grievances against private educational institutions in Nepal are currently making headlines once again as the new academic session has begun. Private schools have been accused of charging exorbitant fees, selling stationery and uniforms within the school premises to make profit and not providing adequate infrastructure.

Last Thursday with Kamala Shrestha

05 May, 2013

Having got an opportunity to accompany her husband to a tour of Thailand some 35 years ago, Mrs. Kamala Shrestha was quick to realize an opportunity to introduce a new professional sector back in the country, after a quick environmental scanning during her stay. Surmounting the ubiquitous family and societal restrains in a typical Nepali society, Kamala Shrestha pioneered the profession of a beautician, and through her continual perseverance, she has successfully established the profession as a main-stream stake in the national economy, thus proving herself as an exemplary self-made entrepreneur.

Missing the target

by Koshish Acharya | 22 May, 2013

National planning has, for a long time, been among the government’s favourite agendas. This can be traced back to the Rana period (before World War II) when the first 20-year plan was announced but nothing significant was achieved. Following that a 15-year plan implemented by the then Rana Prime Minister, Mohan Shamsher in 1949 for which a national planning committee was also formed.