Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Experts in the information technology (IT) sector have said that Nepal can generate annual revenue exceeding Rs 1 trillion if it focuses on producing skilled IT manpower.
Speaking in a session titled ‘Entrepreneurship and Human Resource Development: Preparing for the IT Sector’ during the Nepal Startup and SME Conference in Lalitpur on Friday, they said even minimal investment in IT could yield significant results.
Sulabh Budhathoki, head of the Innovative Nepal Group (ING), said if Nepal can produce manpower as per demand, it could export IT services worth over Rs 10 trillion annually. “We are currently striving to build skilled manpower. We are advocating for policies that ensure easy access to IT education in every college without quota restrictions,” he said, claiming that IT has now surpassed tourism, which was once the largest source of global revenue.
Likewise, Prof Dr Mahananda Chalise, Dean of Tribhuvan University, said the government should focus on technical and vocational education. “The government introduces policies, but they lack strategies to connect students with technical fields. It is essential to design curricula that include technical and vocational skills across all faculties and implement them practically,” he added.
Similarly, Mrigendra Bahadur Karki, executive director of the Center for Nepal and Asia Studies (CNAS) under the Tribhuvan University, said branding and innovation should be promoted in line with changing times. “Promoting locally produced goods based on the country’s geography could facilitate overall economic transformation,” he added.
Bibhushan Bista, founder of Young Innovations, said that if the government introduces policies to integrate the IT sector, Nepal could produce five times more manpower and export services accordingly. “Entrepreneurship should be integrated into education, but not everyone who studies entrepreneurship needs to start a startup,” he added.
Similarly, Karvika Thapa, CEO of Kimbu Tech, said that success in startups comes from working on areas of personal interest. “Developing skills is crucial for building an entrepreneurial foundation. One should focus on areas where they have expertise,” she said.
The two-day conference was organized by the Entrepreneurship and SME Development Department of NC.
