Information Technology (IT) Policy of Nepal

1. Vision

-          To place Nepal on the Global Map of Information Technology within the next five years.

2. Background

As a developing country, Nepal has availed of the opportunity to rapidly develop various sectors such as education, health, agriculture, tourism, trade, among others, using information technology. The extensive application of this technology will engender economic consolidation, development of democratic norms and values, proportional distribution of economic resources and means and enhancement of public awareness, thereby raising living standards and, most importantly, contribute significantly to poverty alleviation. The establishment of a vibrant information technology will mitigate some of the disadvantages Nepal faces on account of its geographical conditions. In the coming years, globally, there will be a significant difference between the economic conditions of countries with developed information technology and that of countries lagging behind in this field. The persistence of such disparities between countries will be difficult to accept even by the developed countries. It is very possible that the international community will extend its support to developing countries in the development of information technology. Such assistance will certainly be significant for the national development of a least developed country like Nepal. Hence, an information technology policy is required to develop Katmandu Women's Campus information technology in the shortest time possible for the sake of the national economy.

3. Objectives

The information technology policy shall be developed to attain the following objectives.

3.1 To make information technology accessible to the general public and increase

employment through this means.

3.2 To build a knowledge-based society.

3.3 To establish knowledge-based industries.

4. Strategies

The information technology strategies adopted to accomplish the above-mentioned objectives of

rapid development and expansion of information technology in a fair and competitive

environment shall be the following:

4.1 The government will act as a promoter, facilitator, and regulator.

4.2 Carry on research, develop and expand information technology with a high

priority to participation of the private sector.

4.3 Prepare capable manpower with the involvement of both public and private

sectors for sustainable development and expansion of information technology.

4.4 Encourage native and foreign investment for the development of information technology

and infrastructure pertaining to information technology.

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4.5 Place Nepal on the global map through information technology.

4.6 Legalize and promote e-commerce.

4.7 Assist in e-governance by using information technology.

4.8 Utilize information technology in the development of rural areas.

4.9 Promote information technology industries.

4.10 Create a healthy, competitive environment for information technology service providers

and provide them speedy and qualitative service at a reasonable cost.

4.11 Include computer education in curriculum from the school level.

4.12 Enhance professional efficiency through the use of information technology.

4.13 Expand the information technology network to the rural areas.

4.14 Establish Nepal in the international market in information technology.

4.15 Increase export of services related to information technology (software and hardware) to

10 billion rupees within the next five years.

5. Information Technology Policy

The policies to be pursued for the implementation of the above-mentioned strategies shall be as

follows:

5.1 To declare information technology sectors a prioritized sector.

5.2 To follow a single-door system for the development of information technology.

5.3 To prioritize research and development of information technology.

5.4 To create a conducive environment that will attract investment in the private sector,

keeping in view the private sector's role in the development of information technology.

5.5 To provide internet facilities to all Village Development committees of the country in

phases.

5.6 To render assistance to educational institutions and encourage native and foreign training

as a necessity of fulfilling the requirement of qualified manpower in various fields

pertaining to information technology.

5.7 To computerize the records of each governmental office and build websites for them for

the flow of information.

5.8 To increase the use of computers in the private sector.

5.9 To develop physical and virtual information technology park in various places with the

private sector's participation for the development of information technology.

5.10 To use information technology to promote e-commerce, e-education, e-health, among

others, and to transfer technology in rural areas.

5.11 To establish National Information Technology Centre.

5.12 To establish a national level fund by mobilizing the resources obtained from His

Majesty's Government, donor agencies, and private sectors so as to contribute to research

and development of information technology and other activities pertaining to it.

5.13 To establish venture capital funds with the joint participation of public and private

sectors.

5.14 To include computer education in the curriculum from the school level and broaden its

scope.

5.15 To establish Nepal in the global market through the use of information technology.

5.16 To draft necessary laws that provides legal sanctions to the use of information

technology.

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5.17 To gradually use information technology in all types of governmental activities and

provide legal sanctions to its uses in such activities.