NSO, NCC agree to strengthen National Economic Census 2082

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 20: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between National Statistics Office (NSO) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) with the objective of developing and managing economic and business-related data and effectively conducting the National Economic Census 2082.

Deputy Chief Statistician of NSO, Dhundi Raj Lamichhane, and Director General of the NCC, Devendra Lamichhane, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations during a function held on Tuesday.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Statistician Dr. Kamal Prasad Pokharel said that under the National Economic Census 2082, more than 831,000 economic establishments have already been surveyed so far. 

Recalling that the first economic census conducted in 2075 BS had covered 923,000 establishments, he said that the current target is to include around 1.5 million establishments this time.

He said that the field-level enumeration work, which began on April 15, is targeted to be completed by June 21, 2026. He expressed confidence that the goal would be achieved, citing encouraging progress so far.

He also emphasised that collaboration with the private sector is essential for the success of the economic census and said that the agreement with the Nepal Chamber of Commerce would make the campaign more effective.

On the occasion, President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal said that the National Economic Census serves as a mirror of the nation’s economy and that long-term economic planning cannot be effective without reliable statistics. 

He said that updated data is essential for accurately reflecting the changing economic structure, the size of the informal sector, investment trends, employment conditions, and emerging sectors such as services, tourism, information technology, and innovation-based businesses.

Stating that only evidence-based policies can succeed in the long run, he expressed confidence that the economic census would help transform the informal sector into the formal economy. 

He emphasised the need to create an atmosphere of trust by assuring businesses that the information they provide would remain confidential and would not be used for purposes other than statistical analysis.

According to the agreement, both institutions will cooperate in data collection, analysis, publicity, and the promotion of economic literacy related to the National Economic Census 2082. 

This cooperation will include the production of audio-visual materials related to the census, conducting awareness programmes, organising literacy programmes for businesspeople and economic journalists, and ensuring the reliability of data through automated systems, read the press statement issued by NCC.

The NCC has committed to encouraging industrialists and businesspeople across its nationwide network to actively participate in the economic census, provide accurate data, and spread awareness about the importance of the census.

The memorandum of understanding will remain in effect for five years.