Gorkhapatra Discourse to focus on economic revival

By Surya Prasad Pandey,Kathmandu, Dec. 16: Gorkhapatra Corporation is organising ‘Gorkhapatra Discourse’ this Thursday.

The corporation is hosting such a programme for the first time with the objective of engaging in dialogue with the private sector for sustainable development of the economy. The programme, titled Gorkhapatra Discourse on Recovery and Resilience, will be held at The Plaza in Pulchowk, Lalitpur.

The discourse aims to create a common platform for the private sector, experts, policymakers and other stakeholders to hold a high-level national debate on Nepal’s economic revival, investment environment and future development strategies, while also identifying challenges and opportunities. 

According to the corporation, the programme is being organised in a new format to mark the 125th (silver centenary) anniversary of Gorkhapatra Daily and the 61st year of The Rising Nepal.

The Gorkhapatra Discourse will be inaugurated by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav. Special guests will include Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, Minister for Energy, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kul Man Ghising, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anil Kumar Sinha, and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel.

The programme will be attended by secretaries, heads of concerned ministries and departments, and stakeholders, including representatives of the private sector. The discourse, being held for the first time, will feature three discussion sessions.

The corporation has prepared thematic sessions on Smart Infrastructure: Development and Management; What’s the State of Confidence?, and Capital Mobilisation and Policy Facilitation.

The session on Smart Infrastructure: Development and Management will feature Keshav Kumar Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Sushil Gyewali, Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board, Subash Sharma, Director of F1Soft, and Suman Joshi, Executive Member of the Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN).

In the session titled What’s the State of Confidence?, the keynote address will be delivered by Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies. Speakers will include Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Rajeshwor Gyawali, Director at the Department of Industries; Dilliram Shrestha, Director of Ncell Pvt. Ltd., and young entrepreneur Nikita Acharya.

Similarly, the session on Capital Mobilisation and Policy Facilitation will feature Guru Prasad Poudel, Executive Director of Nepal Rastra Bank, Kamlesh Agrawal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Manoj Gyawali, Chief Executive Officer of Nabil Bank, and economist Dr. Paras Kharel.

Gorkhapatra Corporation is Nepal’s first and oldest media outlet. Gorkhapatra is the country’s first newspaper, which began publication in 1958 BS.