Interview with Spotlight

 2007.6.1-7

1. Relationsbetween Nepal and the Republic of Korearemain cordial as your country has been supporting Nepal in different areas ofdevelopment. How do you see the present state of relations between the twocountries?

Ans.:    I think the present state of relations isvery good. A number of meaningful and concrete progresses have been made in thebilateral relations particularly for the last one year. Among them,   progresses in the following three areoutstanding.

The first one is the opening of the Embassyof Nepal in Seoul,in   March this year. Ever since theestablishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries in 1974, the Republic of Koreaalone has maintained its Embassy in Kathmandu.In this light, this fact is hard evidence that our bilateral relations havereached the point where our two countries have many things to share andexchange, and feel the need for more cooperation in various areas. I amconvinced that the Nepalese Embassy in Seoulwill play a very important role in further strengthening the existing friendlyand cooperative relationship between out two countries.

Secondly, the opening of sky way between ourtwo countries by the direct flight operation of Korean Air in November lastyear. With that air-service, each of the two countries now can have a very easyaccess to the other country. From Korea,more tourists are coming to Nepal.The recent statistical data on the number of foreign tourists show that thenumber of Korean tourists has increased by almost 180% in April this year. Ifirmly believe that this will be a firm foundation for promoting exchanges ofpeople and trade relations between our two countries.

Thirdly, the inclusion of Nepal in the list of the EmploymentPermit System (EPS) countries. I am expecting the MOU of EPS will be signedvery shortly as the two governments are ready to do so. Under the new EPS,Nepalese workers will have job opportunities with far more favourable workingconditions: better salary, welfare and job security, to name a few. I am alsoconvinced that the EPS will be beneficial to the economics of our twocountries.

Notwithstanding the above progresses, I thinkthere is still much room for deepening our relations further. Fortunately, Ibelieve, the foundation for future development in our relations is now firmlylaid.

2. Nepal is trying to introduce IT in thegovernance sector and the Republic of Korea has already supported Nepal to develop an e-GovernmentMaster Plan. As a country having very traditional administrative system, howeasier is it for Nepalto introduce e-Governance?  How the Koreangovernment will help in future to implement it?

.:    Withthe advent of the information era, providing broad access to information hasbecome a vital issue for the public as well as private sector. In this context,governments around the world are aiming to establish the e-Government for thepurpose of its better services to citizens and more efficient management. Theresulting benefits can be less corruption, increased transparency, greaterconvenience, and/or cost reductions. I believe the Nepalese government can alsoenjoy those benefits from e-Government. Implementation of e-Government is verychallenging task. If I just look back from Korea’s experiences, the firstimportant thing is the top leader''''s full commitment of implementation.Secondly, it needs to detect works that cause bottleneck in workflows or cutinappropriate works, and deploy new system through Business ProcessReengineering (BPR).  This is a very difficult job but most actions are tobe taken before informatization of government. In order to expedite thee-Government, Korean government has established a special organization underthe President called PCGID (Presidential Committee on Government Innovationand Decentralization). They are taking charge of all process of innovationactivities based on the e-Governance roadmap. Finally, each Ministry shoulddevelop individual e-Government application based on its priority andbudget with technical support from experts group under the Master Plan ofe-Government.

Recognizing that ‘bridgingthe digital divide’ is one of the most important determinants to alleviatepoverty, and to facilitate sustainable economic growth for developingcountries, KOICA has given to extend assistance to partner countries to sharethe benefits of information technology and develop digital opportunities as we are highly recognizedby UN eGov Index as No. 5th in the world in 2005. For the development of ICTsector in Nepal,we have already provided eGMP consulting report to the Nepalese Governmentteam last year. KOICA is also planning to support theProject for Establishment of the Government Integrated Data Centre and ITTraining Centre, which will begin this year with a budget of US$ 2.5 million. In addition to this, KOICAsupported to establish 10 School Tele-centres in districts and alsodeveloped Cyber Nepali dictionary for the public use. KOICA dispatches about 5Volunteers annually in fields of computer and electronics as well.

3. As the Nepalese and KoreanGovernments are about to sign the MOU of EPS (Employment Permit System), howNepalese workers will benefit from it?

Ans.:    EPS is the very policy to recruit Nepaleseworkers according to the Korean labour related Law. During the period ofemployment all the benefits to Nepalese workers will be identical to Koreanworkers such as Labour standard Act, Minimum Wages Act, Industrial SafetyHealth Act etc. For more detailed information on EPS, I would like to advisethose who are interested in seeking job opportunities in Korea to visit the Internet site ofEPS: www.eps.go.kr.

In comparison with the previous ITS, EPS isdesigned to establish a transparent network and legal way for the employment inKorea.Therefore, under EPS, only the government or government designated publicorganizations will be given the responsibility of recruiting workers. Myunderstanding on this is that the Ministry of Labour and Transport Managementand the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLEP) of Nepal and the Ministry of Labourand the Human Resources Development Service of Korea will be the responsiblebodies for EPS. Therefore, in Nepal,no other than the DOLEP can take part in the process of recruiting, selectingand sending workers to Korea.Details will be agreed upon as the MOU will be signed between our two Ministersof Labour.

Under EPS, salary level and welfare levelwill be significantly increased than those under ITS. The reason is quitesimple. Under ITS, the status of foreign workers is industrial trainee. As atrainee, each worker’s wage level should not be as much as ordinary or regularworker. Under EPS, each foreign worker will be given the status of a regularworker. Protection of rights and interests of foreign workers will be appliedas equally as Korean counterparts based on the labour standard law, the minimumwage law and industrial health and safety law.

Any Nepalese men and women of age between19-40 are eligible to be applicants and they must pass the Korean languageproficiency test accredited by the Korean government and medical test by the Nepaleseand Korean governments. Not all applicants are guaranteed for employment in Korea.Korean employers have their rights to select preferred job seekers among thosewho meet their requirements.

4. KoreanAir has started its regular flight linking Nepal to its global network. How doesthe direct flight between Kathmandu and Seoulcontribute to increase the number of Korean tourists in Nepal?

Ans.:    Nepal and Korea have many similarities incultural and traditional aspects. Nepalis a country of biodiversity and is endowed with natural beauty, particularlythe Himalayas. Nepal’s natural beauty attractsthousands and thousands of people from around the world and the Korean peoplecannot be any exception. It is well known that since the restoration of peacein Nepal,the visitors’ figure soared up rapidly. We believe that the regular and direct flightof Korean Air to Nepalwill definitely assist to push up the ratio of Korean visitors each year andhelp strengthen bilateral relationship. During the month April, this year only,we have the record of 677 Korean visitors. This ratio is very encouraging andit will undoubtedly help boost up the tourism industry of Nepal. Since visitors from Korea have option to fly directly to Nepal, they are free from the nuisance of flyingto other destinations or spending hours in transit or requirement of visa ofthat country en route Nepal.As the access between the two countries becomes easy, this will be a firm foundation for promoting exchanges of people and traderelations between our two countries. Moreover, Korean Air is planning toincrease its regular and direct flight three times a week from coming October,if political stability is maintained and more secured environment is assured.

Therefore, this is a happy news thatthe direct and regular flight of Korean Air to Nepal has certainly helped in theincrement of 180 percent Korean visitors this April only.

5. ManyKorean companies are investing in Nepal,what is their impression working in Nepal at this crucial juncture?

Ans.:    Nepal is a close friend of Korea and has always been wishing good times inall sectors, be it political, economical or over all development of Nepal.This is the world of globalization. As Korea’s fast growing economy boomsin the country, the establishment of Korean companies in foreign landsincreases. With the configuration of new government and restoration of peace inrecent time, many Korean companies are attracted to put their hands in Nepali marketso as to bring mutual benefits. Since 1984, set up of series of Koreancompanies have been very remarkable. As of 2006 data, there are about fiftynine Korean companies established yet. They vary from textile to spinningindustries, from motor repairing companies to language and computer trainingcentres, and from medical services to mostly restaurants and hotels. And thetotal amount of investment according to the record of FNCCI is around Nrs.951.68 million till present. And of course the number will certainly soar upevery year if the political upheavals are settled and a secure environment forinvestment is guaranteed.  

6. Asan ambassador from a developed country like Korea, how do you see Nepal’scurrent development process?

An.s:    A Millennium Development Goals’ (MDGs) NeedsAssessment Report for Nepalin 2006 said that there has been remarkable reduction in poverty and hunger inaggregate level for the past 15 years. However, the report has also called forspecial efforts to address education and hunger-related activities etc. Theprogress has been far from satisfactory in the case of rural infrastructure aswell. To achieve MDGs in Nepal,all international societies need to enhance efforts to support Nepal.I would like to highlight here that the most important thing in new era for Nepal,after ending the conflict of 11 years, is a strong political leadership for avision of New Nepal and integrated society, and better coordination andimplementation of international assistance from donors. As I understand,international society is ready to support peace building and reconstruction of Nepal.

           Inaddition to the outside support, the Nepalese government should have its owndevelopment strategy based on correct and accurate understanding of the hardreality and potentiality of Nepal.As many economists and politicians have stressed that strong leadership as wellas clear vision for the national development can draw up the right developmentstrategy and successfully implement it. I think Nepal is no exception to this kindof advice.

7. Koreahas been providing technical supports to Nepalin various sectors and in which areas the Republicof Korea is supporting Nepalnow?

Ans:     To strengthen friendly and cooperativerelationship between Koreaand Nepal, the Koreangovernment has made efforts to assist with the socio-economic development of Nepalthrough various development programs implemented by the Korea InternationalCooperation Agency (KOICA).

Assistance in 2007 is about US$3.1 million. The amount is expected todouble in 3 years. KOICA has given priorities in the fields of education,health, rural development and ICT for Nepal. KOICA is conducting twoprojects now. The project for establishment of Korea-Nepal Friendship Hospital in Thimi, whichis designed to assist with the improvement of public health care services inthe immediate and neighbouring areas. Another is the project for establishmentof the Government Integrated Data Centre and ITTraining Centre which is to facilitate the e-Government of Nepal. Korea for 34 training courses. Themajority of the courses will deal with the IT and governance sectors and aimsto help narrow the digital divide and spur economic growth and good governance.KOICA will also offer courses on rural development, education and vocationaltraining, and energy etc.

The Korea OverseasVolunteer program is one of the major assistance programs for Nepal with a total of 60 volunteers scheduled tobe dispatched to Nepalin 2007. Moreover, two medical doctors from KOICA are volunteering to serve atthe Bhaktapur Hospital and the Korea-Nepal Friendshiphospital respectively; providing services to approximately 700 patients in amonth.

As a part of support for peace process in Nepal, KOICA provided 10.6 millionRs. worth of IT equipments to Election Commission and Police Headquarters.KOICA has already delivered 95 multi-functioned laser printers and 57 portablehard disks to EC. I expect that 100 Desktop PCs will be provided to PoliceHeadquarters in June.

KOICA also supports grass-roots projects in the fields of primaryeducation, health care, and income generation through Korean development NGOsin Nepal,and has been doing so since 1995. 

The Korean Governmentwould like to make great efforts to support not only in Nepal''''s economic development butalso in peace-building through the cooperation programs of KOICA.

8. Yourcountry has also experiences of passing through a very difficult time. What is yourobservation about Nepal?

Ans.:    The entire Korean peninsula had beendevastated by the Korean War (1950-1953). The Korean people had to start theirnational reconstruction almost from the scratch. The Korean people haveundertaken economic development in earnest since 1962. In less than fourdecades, they achieved an incredible process that dramatically transformed theKorean economy, now ranked the 12th largest economy in the world.

In the course of its national development, Korea has faced a number of challenges such aspolitical turmoil, economic crises, military confrontation between the two Koreasand so forth. The Korean people have met the challenges with courage and wisdomsometimes even by sacrificing themselves.

There may be many factors which lead tonational development. Among them, as many can agree, Human ResourcesDevelopment might be the number one factor particularly to those countries withscarce natural resources. Human resources, unlike other natural resources, havebeen regarded as a never drying well. Korea has invested enormously inthe education sector. With heavy and long-time investment in that sector, Korea becameable to shorten the development path.

If I may suggest one more factor, I wouldlike to bring forward the wise development strategy. An outward-orientedeconomic development strategy, which uses exports as the main engine of growth,contributes greatly to the rapid economic transformation. Based on such astrategy, many development programs have been successfully implemented.

My observation on Nepalin this context is very limited mainly because of my shallow knowledge about Nepal.As a foreign diplomat who has stayed in Nepaljust over one year, I am afraid that I should make irrelevant comments based onmy shallow experiences of Nepal.But If I dare to say something about Nepal, first of all, I would liketo stress the importance of recovering the political and social stabilitythrough reconciliation and social integration at an earliest date possible. Inmy opinion, for sustainable national development of Nepal,there should be consensus on the development strategy which is really suitableto Nepal.In order to design its own development strategy, it is not only necessary for Nepalto benchmark the successful cases from other countries, but also important tomake precise and accurate analyses about its own social and economiccircumstances.

The world has already moved into a highlycompetitive society. These days, each and every country is taking very boldmeasures for its national development. In this light, Nepal doesn’t have luxury of timeto spend a long time to prepare for its national development. (End)