The Information Technology (IT) sector is one of the rapidly growing sectors in Nepal. IT in Nepal is still in its
initial phase. The government has given high priority to this sector due its huge potentiality of growth and
contribution in national income.
The Ministry of Information and Communication has formulated the National Information and Communication
Technology Policy in 2015. The basic goals taken up by the policy includes to enhance the digital literacy thereby
increasing the significance of the ICT industry in the national economy, the promotion of the ICT industry with
the increased access to the internet, online services, e-procurement etc. The Policy has well prioritized the
human resource development in ICT targeting the development of the critical skill areas. For this, the proper
education system, specifically targeting the ICT sector is being projected. Besides, the youth and gender issues
are also under the priority in the sector.
A study conducted by the Center for Inclusive Development Studies (IIDS) reveals that skilled IT freelancers
export services worth an average of $15,322 annually. The study also demonstrates that in 2022 alone,
information technology services worth about 68 billion rupees were exported. This accounts for approximately
1.4 percent of Nepal’s gross domestic product and 5.5 percent of total foreign exchange earnings.
According to the study, the number of IT professionals working within companies and independently in 2022 was
66,509. Among them, 7,212 were engaged in clerical data entry, 7,355 in creative and multimedia roles, 267 in
professional services, 3,326 in sales and marketing support, 14,728 in software development, and 5,668 in digital
writing and translation on digital platforms. The ICT sector in Nepal holds immense potential and hope for the
country’s development.
While the data exhibits significant scope pertaining to the development of the country through ICTS Sector, it
also highlights the reliance on individual efforts. Workers engaged in the ICT sector are often outsourced or
working independently, which leads towards potential risks to working conditions. Despite their significant
contribution to the GDP, these workers lack benefits such as social security, leading to a high turnover rate.
Protecting workers’ rights and enhancing their capacity is crucial for the ICT sector’s development. Considering
this fact, UNICTS has prioritized the issues and rights of the IT workers and is working on it for decent work in this
sector.
Establishing a strong relationship among stakeholders is essential for the development of the ICT sector and,
eventually, the entire country. Social dialogue plays a crucial role in creating harmonious relationships among
employers, employees, and regulatory bodies. It serves as a flexible tool that enables governments, employers’
organizations, and workers’ organizations to manage change and achieve economic and social goals. The primary
aim of social dialogue is to promote consensus-building and democratic involvement among the main
stakeholders in the world of work. Successful social dialogue structures and processes have the potential to address crucial economic and social issues, promote good governance, enhance social and industrial peace and
stability, and boost economic progress.
In this light, UNICTS has organized a social dialogue program with the theme “Fostering ICTS sector for
Sustainable Employment and Economic Growth in Nepal: Rising Together “on September 22, 2023.
The dialogue will address burning issues within the ICTS sector, providing guidance for both individuals and
policy-makers.
The Ministry of ICTS, ICTS companies, experts, CAN federation, and Trade Union National Centers will partake in
the social dialogue to collaboratively find reasonable and practical way outs to the challenges within the ICTS
sector.
Program Schedule
8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast + Registration
Session Presentation by Mr. Alok Malla, Program Coordinator
Chairing
Chairperson: Mr. Shankar Lamichhane, President UNI NLC/ UNICTS
Chief Guest: Honorable Rekha Sharma, Minister of Communications and Information Technology
Special Guest: Mr. Ganesh Shah, Former Minister (Ministry of Science and Technology)
Mr. Kyoichi Ando, President, UNI APRO-ICTS/ ICTJ-Japan
Guest of Honors:
● Mr. Krishna Bahadur Raut, Secretary, MOCIT (Government)
● Mr. Purushottam Khanal, Chairman, NTA (Government)
● Mr. Prem Sharan Shrestha, DG Department of IT (Government)
● Mr. Ranjeet Kumar Poddar, President, CAN Federation (Employer)
● Mr. Sudhir Parajuli, President ISPAN (Employer)
● Mr. Richan Shrestha, President, NAS IT (Employer)
● Mr. Hitesh Karki, Chairman, Deerwalk Group Ltd (Employer)
● Dr. Biswash Gauchan, Executive Director, IIDS (Expert)
● Mr. Vivek Shamser Rana, Information Technology Enablement Professional (Expert)
● Mr. Manohar Kumar Bhattarai, Chairperson, ICT4Development (Expert)
● Dr. Manish Pokharel, Dean, School of Engineering, Kathmandu University (Expert)
● Mr. Yogendra Kunwar, President, NTUC
● Mr. Binod Shrestha ,President, JTUCC/GFONT
● Mr. Shankar Lamichhane, President, UNICTS
● Mr. Tilak Jung Khadka, Organizing coordinator -UNI APRO
Welcome Speech by Mr. Khushal Regmi, General Secretary UNICTS
Inauguration by lighting Lamp: Chief Guest
Fraternal Greeting:
Mr. Kyoichi Ando, President UNI APRO ICTS/ICTJ-Japan
Opening Remarks Honorable Chief Guest
10:30 -11:00 Tea Break
Dialogue Session (11:00 – 13:00)
Chair – Mr. Krishna Bahadur Raut, Secretary, MoICT
Theme Presentation- “Rising Together for the Development of the ICT Sector in Nepal”
Presenters- Dr. Manish Pokharel, Dean, School of Engineering, Kathmandu University
Dr. Biswash Gauchan, Executive Director, IIDS
Moderator: Mr. Hempal Shrestha, Independent Consultant/Researcher/Lawyer
Open floor discussion on the theme presented.
Dialogue session summing up by the chair
Vote of Thanks Mr. Shankar Lamichhane, President (UNI NLC/UNICTS)
13:00 – 14:00 Closing followed by Networking Lunch