Economists want policy think tank
KATHMANDU, April 30:
Economists and policy experts have advised the government to establish a permanent think tank for conducting research in economic policies and suggesting the government policy measures for sustainable development. The country needs an independent policy body to analyse strengths and weaknesses of the government policies, they said in a national seminar organised by Economic Policy Network (EPN) today.
After eight years of experience of EPN, we have come to the conclusion that the country needs a permanent economic policy body to suggest the government on economic, financial and monetary issues, said Mahendra Man Gurung, joint secretary of Ministry of Finance (MoF).
According to him, MoF is planning to form a separate network inside the ministry. It is better to develop the body as independent policy advisor to the government, said Prof Partibeshwor Timilsina, team leader of EPN II that is going to phase out in June.
EPN had started in 2003 with the support of Asian Development Bank (ADB) and carried out 47 research projects — 33 in the first phase (2003-07) and 14 in the second phase (2008-11).
Dr Dinesh Chandra Devekota, officiating vice-president of NPC, said that the government needs to adopt suggestions made by EPN on the basis of potential benefits to society. We want prosperity. So, we need a complete revival of policy for a rapid economic development, he said.
According to him, economic policies of the country are weak in agriculture, employment and export sectors. “At present, we need policy advice in controlling inflation, managing unemployment, balance of payment deficit and money supply,” he said.
EPN has explored the country’s economic policies in six thematic areas — inclusive growth, private sector development, social inclusion, infrastructure development, agriculture and rural development, and decentralised governance and suggested an overhaul of the areas.
Source: THT
Economists and policy experts have advised the government to establish a permanent think tank for conducting research in economic policies and suggesting the government policy measures for sustainable development. The country needs an independent policy body to analyse strengths and weaknesses of the government policies, they said in a national seminar organised by Economic Policy Network (EPN) today.
After eight years of experience of EPN, we have come to the conclusion that the country needs a permanent economic policy body to suggest the government on economic, financial and monetary issues, said Mahendra Man Gurung, joint secretary of Ministry of Finance (MoF).
According to him, MoF is planning to form a separate network inside the ministry. It is better to develop the body as independent policy advisor to the government, said Prof Partibeshwor Timilsina, team leader of EPN II that is going to phase out in June.
EPN had started in 2003 with the support of Asian Development Bank (ADB) and carried out 47 research projects — 33 in the first phase (2003-07) and 14 in the second phase (2008-11).
Dr Dinesh Chandra Devekota, officiating vice-president of NPC, said that the government needs to adopt suggestions made by EPN on the basis of potential benefits to society. We want prosperity. So, we need a complete revival of policy for a rapid economic development, he said.
According to him, economic policies of the country are weak in agriculture, employment and export sectors. “At present, we need policy advice in controlling inflation, managing unemployment, balance of payment deficit and money supply,” he said.
EPN has explored the country’s economic policies in six thematic areas — inclusive growth, private sector development, social inclusion, infrastructure development, agriculture and rural development, and decentralised governance and suggested an overhaul of the areas.
Source: THT
