Apropos of the “Biz briefs: Hyatt wins award” (THT, June 6, Page 11), Hyatt deserves thunderous applause for winning international plaudits and bringing in good reputation and revenues for Nepali Tourism. Hyatt is also a fine example of partnership between private traders and public company/trust landowners, such as Tara Gaon, for putting prime but wasted land resources to good, fruitful use. Not too long ago, vast swathes of Tara Gaon land property in Boudhanath languished without any use. Today it has become a chic, prestigious, famous tourism address. Tara Gaon can learn from this experience and put their other properties in Kakani, Nagarkot and Pokhara to such good use by forging partnership with domestic or foreign private partners. Its property in Kakani is a pure gem and is shocking that the public company has not taken much interest in developing it into a world-class hill retreat that it can become. It currently runs a rundown ‘hotel’ with a few rooms on several ropanis of land located on an elevated plateau giving a grand balcony view of nature. It has the potential to turn into a Nepali Amandari or Amanpuri Hill retreat. With broadening of the road from Balaju to Trisuli going on in full swing, it should be possible to reach Kakani within two hours from Tribhuvan International Airport. A helicopter pick-up-and-drop would be ideal to skip the drudgery of wading through Kathmandu’s notorious traffic that runs up to Balaju. But high-end travellers who are not inured to such traffic might quite like the visuals of chaotic Kathmandu which reminds me of the scenes from Michael Douglas’ potboiler ‘Romancing the stone’.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Stability

This has reference to the editorial “Inviting FDI” (THT, Page 8, June 6). Of course, Nepal has so many “virgin” areas where investors can put in money for maximum profit. As a developing country Nepal is always looking forward to economic progress by accelerating economic growth. Time and again, we have invited FDI in Nepal. But, till date, I do not understand why the government has not been able to attract FDI at desired level. To the best of my knowledge, political stability is a must to bring in FDI. This is the only condition that assures the investors of their investment. Other factors include the regular supply of electricity, labour-employer relation, provision of repatriation, environment-friendly law, good infrastructure, all weather condition roads and transportation system, better communication and skilled human resources. These are the preconditions to attract FDI. Fluctuations in the government policies and unequal treatment between the domestic and FDI will also have adverse impact on investment climate. Nepal still has a long way to go before FDI is brought into the country. Nepal must also need to find a secure international market.

Saroj Wagle, Bara