Private sector's role key for well-managed urbanization

KATHMANDU, Sept 29: Experts have said that the private sector has a key role in ushering in well-managed urbanization in the country.



Speaking at an interaction on 'Urban Challenges and Role of Private Sector of Nepal', organized jointly by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Nepal Institute for Urban and Regional Studies (NIURS) in Kathmandu on Friday, they said that though there are many challenges in urban development, increased private sector's role is key to well-managed urbanization.



Though 42 percent of Nepali population is living in urban areas, they are facing many challenges," said former secretary Kishor Thapa said. "Urban population is increasing day by day," he said, adding: "Though there are 217 municipalities in Nepal, poor infrastructures and local governance, energy crisis, increasing population, poor transport network, and weak law have made life in these areas difficult."



At the program, members of the FNCCI and the NIURS presented the possibilities and challenges for involvement of private sector in urbanization. “Nepal has been very poor in the development of roads, drinking water, sewage and transportation facilities,” they said, adding that private sector can do a lot for proper management of urbanization. 



“Private sector is involved in varied sectors like transport, hotel, education, tourism, airlines, manufacturing goods, banking and real estate, among others. They should upgrade their service to help in urbanization.”



The talk program also discussed some weaknesses of the private sector. "No competition in providing better service, no long-term investment in human resource development, and weak relationship with academic institutions in research and development are some weaknesses of private sector," they added.



The government is planning to declare 10 cities as major cities. The investment of private sector is very important for proper urbanization of these cities, according to Thapa. "The private sector should work properly and provide better service to the public for a better urbanization," he added.

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