main_image
NEWS
bottom
bottom

Lumbini must be rebranded in Japan to attract more tourists

Nepal can mobilise its mission in Tokyo to promote Lumbini — the birth place of Lord Buddha — and to also attract investment from Japanese investors, according to an envoy.

Suggesting the Nepali embassy in Tokyo to be more active in branding Lumbini as a historical place of importance rather than the birth place of Lord Buddha, as Japanese are, unlike Sri Lankans and Thais, not very religiously inclined, Japanese ambassador to Nepal Kunio Takahashi — during the 39th annual meeting of JICA Alumni Association of Nepa here today — said that not only Lumbini but other places of historical importance must also be promoted to attract Japanese tourists.

In 2011, some 26,283 Japanese tourists — around 3.6 per cent of overall tourist arrivals — visited Nepal. “The number could increase, if Nepali mission in Tokyo is more active,” he added.

Likewise, the total foreign direct investment (FDI) outflow of Japan stood at $114.3 billion in 2012. “But Nepal received only $14.35 million,” said director general of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Dr Hemant Dawadi.

FNCCI is optimistic but realist of the current situation in the country, he said, adding Japanese investors could bring resource, technology, capital and culture, especially work discipline to Nepal. “FNCCI is focusing on creating more employment by urging political parties to agree on a common minimum economic agenda.”

Nepal’s export to Japan in fiscal year 2011-12 stood at Rs 767.2 million, whereas imports were Rs 4.47 billion, though Nepal has Japanese joint ventures worth Rs 2.98 billion across agro-based, construction, energy, manufacturing, minerals, services and tourism.

Nepal offers infrastructure including hydropower, aviation, transport and urban development, services like tourism, ICT, health and education, agro-based industries, BPO, mines and minerals and Fast Moving Consumer Goods, said chief executive of the Investment Board Radhesh Pant.

“Nepal Investment Board was established to facilitate big investments in Nepal,” he said, adding it has initiated various policy reforms to facilitate investors through one-window policy.

Japan — the sixth country in terms of FDI investment in Nepal — has also been interested in development assistance to Nepal through JICA that has categorised the Nepali economy into agriculture dependent, remittance dependent and aid dependent country.

“It is a must for Nepal to materialise advantages including strengths and opportunities for its development,” said JICA representative in Nepal Kunio Takahashi.

“But the problems at policy, industry and company levels prevent the private sector from making their businesses efficient and effective,” he said.

source: The Himalayan Times,27 Dec 2012