Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 24:

Nepal, being a least-developed country in the South Asian Region, has emerged as a model in ‘result-based management’, thanks to its greater efforts in expediting reforms on the basis of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP)-Tenth Plan, trade competitiveness strengthening in the context of WTO membership and suitable environment for foreign direct investment (FDI). Dr Shankar Sharma, vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) participating at the international conference in Manila highlighted on the Nepal’s macro-economic management system. He presented a paper on ‘Result Based Planning of Nepal’, which was hailed by participants and development partners. He was taking part in the international conference on ‘Achieving Results in Private Sector Development: A Strategic Approach’ organised by Asian Development Bank (ADB), that was participated by 23 nations. The meet also discussed Nepal’s action plans on various reforms initiatives.

He said that he presented sector-wise action plans such as maximum use of Inland Container Depot (ICD) for export and customs reforms. During the discussion process monitoring aspect was given high priority, which are under reform process in Nepal. He said that issues on poverty alleviation, ADB’s contribution in Nepal’s development, micro-hydro development, road and health were also discussed at length on the basis of ‘intermediate indicators’.

“Effective ways and means were also sought during the discussion to expedite development activities even in conflict scenario,” said Sharma while talking to The Himalayan Times. He informed that Nepal’s document on reform package has been a guiding principle for other countries.

He also met with Haruhiko Kuroda, ADB president. “With various sector’s satisfactory development initiatives, ADB has also assured Nepal to continue its support in development efforts,” Sharma said. He also presented papers titled ‘Defining Goals of the Private Sector Development Strategy: As case of Nepal’ and ‘Nepal’s Current Macro Economic Situation and Performance of Development Activities.’ Binod Bahadur Shrestha, president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), also took part in the conference.