National Statistics Office and Nepal Chamber of Commerce Sign Agreement for Economic Census

Kathmandu. An understanding paper has been signed between the National Statistics Office and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce with the objective of developing and managing data in the economic and business sectors and effectively completing the National Economic Census 2082.

Dhundiraj Lamichhane, Deputy Chief Statistician (Joint Secretary) from the National Statistics Office, and Devendra Lamichhane, Director General from the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, signed the agreement paper. The understanding is set to be effective from Jestha 5, 2083.

Speaking at the agreement signing program, Kamal Prasad Pokharel, Chief Statistician of the National Statistics Office, informed that the census of more than 831,000 economic establishments has been completed so far under the National Economic Census 2082. Recalling that 923,000 establishments were covered in the first economic census of 2075, he stated that the target is to cover approximately 1.5 million establishments this time.

He mentioned that the field census work, which started on Baisakh 2, is targeted to be completed by Ashar 7, and expressed confidence that the progress so far is encouraging and the target will be achieved. He stated that collaboration with the private sector is essential to make the economic census successful, and the understanding with the Nepal Chamber of Commerce will make the campaign more effective.

In the program, Kamlesh Kumar Agarwal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, stated that the National Economic Census is the economic mirror of the nation and that long-term economic plans cannot be effective without reliable data. He expressed the view that updated data is essential for a realistic portrayal of the changing economic structure, the size of the informal sector, investment trends, employment status, and service, tourism, information technology, and innovation-oriented businesses.

President Agarwal mentioned that only fact-based policies are successful in the long term and expressed confidence that the economic census will prepare the ground for transforming the informal sector into the formal economy. He said that it is necessary to build an environment of trust that the details provided by businessmen will remain confidential and will not be used elsewhere except for statistical purposes.

As per the agreement, both organizations will collaborate in data collection, analysis, dissemination, and enhancing economic literacy for the National Economic Census 2082. This includes collaboration in producing audio-visual materials related to the economic census, conducting awareness programs, organizing literacy programs for businessmen and economic journalists, and making data reliable based on an automated system.

The Nepal Chamber of Commerce has committed to urging its nationwide network of industrialists and businessmen to actively participate in the economic census, encourage them to provide accurate data, and spread public awareness about the importance of the economic census.

The memorandum of understanding will be effective for five years. The program emphasized the need for active participation from the government, private sector, industrialists, businessmen, and all stakeholders to make the National Economic Census successful.