Kathmandu, September 5

To promote business leadership for attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country, a two-day Responsible Business Summit, organised by the National Business Initiative (NBI), kicked off in the capital today.

Padma Jyoti, president of NBI, said the summit will discuss and show a possible way out of the current unfavourable business environment in the country. He informed that the summit will encourage focusing on achieving different SDGs that the country has adopted.

“We believe that the summit will motivate and facilitate businesses to integrate SDGs into mainstream business practices in Nepal,” he said, adding that it will also support in implementation of corporate social responsibility laws in Nepal.

“The time has come for the government and private sector to join hands to furnish the agendas of SDGs and clean development,” he said.

As per Jyoti, the summit will cover issues related to fast-paced and sustainable prosperity to address needs of stakeholders, including employees, consumers and local communities. Discussions will also be held on ensuring sustainability of natural and man-made environment and to explore partnerships necessary to achieve SDGs in Nepal.

Speaking at the programme, Valerie Julliand, resident coordinator of the United Nations in Nepal, said every development should take place without damaging the environment.

“SDGs are development goals that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, so any development needs proper resource planning and proper management of resources and to create awareness among the concerned people,” Julliand said.

Julliand further said that resources should be used judiciously so that after fulfilling our present requirements they are also preserved for the future generation. “With the increasing population and their ever growing demands, the rate at which the resources are being used has risen dramatically.”

Speaking at the programme, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwor Pokharel said some persons are irrationally accusing the government about the taxation system without knowing the facts.

“Definitely, the government has introduced and expanded some provisions in the taxation system, but there are more rumours than facts.”

Stating that the government is always supportive of the private sector for overall development of the country, he added, “So, we need to join hands to achieve the SDGs by 2030.”

The summit is scheduled to cover 16 different sessions, in which various corporate groups, SMEs, banks, government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders will discuss about the scope, nature, benefits and challenges of business responsibility in Nepal.