Sunday, September 16, 2007

Cross Border Terrorism Increasing - But Shall we close Indo-Nepal Border?

I don't see Terrorism as any big problem to force us to be closed doors. And most of it is not targeted against each other. There are hardly any elements in Nepal who want to terrorize India and vice versa. The threat is about third country terrorists entering the duo, from Bangladesh or Pakistan. This calls for better understanding and co-operation between Indian and Nepali authorities. And certainly Visa implementation is not the solution.

Open borders have many economic gains. India is one of the world's largest market and it has the potential of being world's second largest market very soon. The spending culture of India is a great opportunity for us. It is best served when there is more people to people contact.

Consider the case of launch of Wai Wai in India by CG Foods in India. It got a huge success, thanks to huge brand ambassadors, all Nepali Living in India or visiting India.

(European Union - Changes in Real Wages and Productivity. This clearly shows open border and greater co-operation increases productivity keeping real wages low. Good opportunity for companies to tap and grow.)

Not to forget is a close cultural and social linkages. This social linkages has benefited both sides for time immemorial. We are possibly the only two Hindu dominated society in the world and that has opened huge cultural tourism opportunity for both sides. And Indian tourists are the most spending tourist in the world, they have surpassed Americans recently. That calls for better hospitality towards the Indians to uplift our National Economy.

Co-operation between India is increasing and we can only benefit from it. Both are now economic powers hungry to rule the economic world and both will hardly try to contain Nepal in anyway. They are co-operating in Global Leadership and same time fighting for leadership in Asia. We have to learn to live and grow with them.

I would favor no visa but id card system between Nepal and China too. That will open more opportunity for us. Not to forget is our poor performing manufacturing economy and a small market. Now I don't see any possibility of Nepal being a manufacturing hub in any future course as we can never produce cheaper than our giant neighbors. And there is no necessity too. We have huge potential to remain a market economy with service focus. For this open border with India is a huge plus, which is still not exploited by us. Let us not go back but move further and tap the opportunity.

I have said whatever I had to. What's you take? Please do not forget to share as comment.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

India - Favourite Work Destination for Nepalese Engineers

A Poll on a Orkut Community - "Nepalese Engineers" have shown a changing trend among its members for favourite place to work. Let us look at the Poll Result (24 Responders).

Favourite Place to work for
1. India (45%)
2. Nepal (25%)
3. US (8%)
3. Asia Pacific, Asean (8%)
4. Europe (4%)
4. Japan (4%)
4. Middle East Asia (4%)
5. China (0%)
5. Others (0%)

US, UK and Australlia have remained favourite destinations are Nepalese Engineers for long time. But this poll has brought a unexpected result. There might be many biases with the poll like most of the community members to have studied in India. But even for most Nepali students doing Engineering in India, main aim had always been giving GRE and moving to US for MS. Then after MS most settled in US with a technical job.

A more important side of the poll result is the disinterest among the Engineers to work in China. While China is shaping the world with its economic growth for last three decades, it is yet to emerge as favourable work place.

As always, I welcome comment on the post. Cheers!!

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