Dreams Of Digital Nepal

Digital Nepal

Nepal in an effort to provide super-fast connectivity

Digital transformation has revolutionized the way we live, play and work. With the increasing investment in technology, traditional business is also changing, leading the current era towards the digital economy.

Over the years, digital communications, digital payments, e-commerce and online marketing have grown exponentially. Nowadays, payment services like e-services and shopping places like drawers have made our lives even easier.

The Corona epidemic has also played an important role in the development of the digital economy. In order to maintain social distance, financial institutions have promoted a castleless society.

The rate of online shoppers is also increasing in Nepal. According to Daraj, more than 40 percent of transactions are done through cards, e-wallets. Internet use is also on the rise as more people are working and studying from home to maintain social distance.

People are using the internet not only for social media but also for education, health, groceries and other economic activities. The highest use of technology has been made in all areas during this epidemic.

That is why Nepal is known to have moved forward in the digital age. The development of digital economy in Nepal is increasing with the development of technology sector. Recently, the Government of Nepal has launched a 'Citizen App' which provides a wide range of government services from a single platform.

This app can be used for citizenship, passport, or voter ID. It also helps the economy to grow faster, more reliably and more transparently.

The government has also begun the process of simplifying information integration, citizen-related electricity tariffs, internal revenue, customs duties, driver's licenses, and renewals.

Nepal is striving to be the first country in South Asia to provide super-fast connectivity.

The process of testing 5G has already started in Nepal. The 4G service has reached all 77 districts of the country. It covers 85 percent of the total population.

By mid-January 2021, broadband Internet had expanded to 82.27 percent of the population. This number shows that we are adopting new technologies and are willing to pave the way for a digital economy.

Challenge To Make Digital Nepal

We are moving forward with major digital conversions. But there are still many challenges ahead. The main challenge is the lack of skilled manpower.

Another problem is the inadequate infrastructure to adopt such technology. There is a great need for video data and high bandwidth connectivity.

Connecting people across the country with cheap and high speed internet is the mainstay of Digital Nepal.

We have made progress in digital payments and e-commerce. But its availability is limited to the Kathmandu Valley and some major cities. Lack of long-term policy planning and management has become a big problem for us. The role of planners and policy makers is crucial to move forward with the global digital revolution.

Nepal's digital transformation will be possible only with high investment, giving priority to the use of technology in every infrastructure of development.

Some of the main obstacles to speed up the transformation are disbanded enterprise, lack of strong database, lack of facts, poor service delivery and inefficient market.

Corruption and lack of empowerment at the government and local levels are equally hampering. As the world's attention now focuses on the exploration and development of the digital economy, there is a major need to digitalize our economy as well.

Although it will take a long time, the journey to digital Nepal will not be so difficult as the growth of internet facilities and mobile services is the most encouraging.

We have many companies including Khalti, esewa, imepay etc which are making our daily life comfortable. Creating Digital Nepal will increase the credibility of such platforms and expand the availability of digital transformation in all parts of Nepal.

Companies need to relate to each other and discuss with the government to find future plans that are good for the industry. We need to attract international companies and encourage local enterprises to invest in our market.

It is equally important to support startups and create a good business environment. Public services must be provided online.

Technology will increase the productivity of municipal services and provide better social and community outcomes. This is an ongoing process.

Due to Digital Nepal, people will be able to use their digital signature to vote for a Member of Parliament through the Internet in any part of the world.

The full use of technology will help governments make quicker and better decisions that will ultimately make it easier to do business in a way that provides better public service and address the changing needs of citizens.

We must revolutionize our education system because it is becoming more traditional every year. The main reason for this is the lack of awareness about the use of technology.

We need to modernize the education system to make Digital Nepal a success and produce globally capable human resources.

Nepal should learn from its neighbors China and India, which are the fastest digitized economies and are known as global powers.

Economic growth and rising productivity are the major expected outcomes of digitization in the world's two most populous countries. If those nations can, why can't we?

Nepal is a country with great potential for economic growth. The most important thing right now is an improved education system that will help the nation move on the path of digital revolution and produce skilled manpower.

The need to digitised our economy is not only to modernize but also to raise the living standards of our people. I am certainly convinced that our dream of a digital Nepal is not far off.