Works underway to usher Nepal in digital highway: Minister Kharel

Kathmandu, Jan 4: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, asserted that the current interim government is working to advance Nepal to the 'digital highway'. Minister Kharel said it at a discussion with the winners of the ICT Award-2025 at his office, Singha Durbar on Sunday.

Kharel, also the spokesperson of the government, shared, "Efforts are on take forward country by framing a roadmap. Future of the digital Nepal lies on the individuals and organizations who contribute through innovation in the information technology sector."

Stating that policy reforms were being carried out for achieving the vision of the digital Nepal, Minister Kharel pledged support from his ministry, thereby connecting the concerned ministries in development of international sector. He attributed lack of adequate budget, ambiguity in policy and lax implementation of the existing policies behind stalled development of the IT sector. He reminded that the interim government had endorsed the 'National Artificial Intelligence Policy' within three months since its formation.  It paves way to achieve 'digital Nepal', he claimed. 

On a different note, Minister Kharel acknowledged that the interaction held by his ministry with the awardees had reflected the State's honour to the IT sector. "You have been honoured at the initiatives of an organization from the private sector where the government is involved in one way or the other. Hence, it is the State honour. We have listened to your queries and concerns for around an hour and half and we duly take them into consideration," he said to the awardees.

The Minister called for collaboration and coordination among the IT experts, stakeholders and the government in the areas of innovation, start-up, entrepreneurship and IT sector to leverage IT that, he said, would help in achieving the vision of 'digital Nepal'. He also informed that the interim government could not ensure online voting in the upcoming March 5 election to House of Representatives for lack of consensus. 

Kharel urged the awardees to elect 'good leaders' in the upcoming election, dubbing the election as the appropriate opportunity to select the 'right' candidates. 

On the occasion, ICT Foundation's Chairperson Rajan Lamsal mentioned that the award ceremony was being held annually to promote start-up and innovation and strengthening the digital ecosystem of Nepal. He expressed confidence that the award show would contribute to promotion and expansion of the technology and tech products developed by the Nepalis in the international market as well.

The awardees univocally highlighted the need for policy and structural reforms in IT sector to realize the goal of digital Nepal. They also had furnished recommendations to the Minister regarding the initiatives the government and private sector and stakeholders could take for digital Nepal. (RSS)