'My Nepal' Day organized in Germany

Kathmandu: Representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations of both countries have stressed the need to widen the economic ties between Nepal and Germany.
Speakers at the recent 31st Nepal Day 'My Nepal' webinar organized by the German Nepal Friendship Association said that the need for increased foreign aid for Nepal's economic prosperity has increased in the post-KOVID-19 period.

Speaking on the occasion, Nepal's Ambassador to Germany Ram Kaji Khadka said that the economic growth rate of Nepal has dropped from 8.5 percent to almost 2 percent due to the Corona epidemic. He mentioned that the role of donor countries and organizations will be important to move from the least developed countries to the level of developing nations by 2022 BS and to complete the campaign of making Nepal prosperous by achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030 BS. Stating that the German government's contribution to the development of Nepal including education, health, energy, and reconstruction is high, Ambassador Khadka expressed confidence that the German-based NGOs could also help in health reform, job creation, and economic development created by COVID-19.

German Ambassador to Nepal Roland Seifer said that the role played by NGOs in Germany in the field of economic and humanitarian assistance was important to reduce the impact of COVID-19. He said that the German government has been supporting Nepal's development for a long time, adding that the last time it provided 10 million Euros for Nepal's current health care and 340 million Euros for economic development. Ambassador Sefer said that sustainable development would not be possible without a green revolution, adding that he placed special emphasis on technical education.

President of the Friendship Association and Consul General Ram Pratap Thapa said that the annual Nepal Day has been delayed due to the Corona epidemic. Kumar Pant, president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), and Jiva Lamichhane, former president, said that the role of foreign donors would be important for the relief and economic development of the people affected by COVID-19. Former Ambassador and economist Prada Vishwambhar Pyakurel highlighted the impact of Corona on Nepal's economy and what needs to be done for economic development in the coming days.

Representatives of various organizations based in Germany presented various working papers on Nepal in the program. Prada Gunther Noge's initiative on rhino conservation in Nepal, Prof. Dr. Vyatris Kenner on technical education and economic prosperity, Nicole Doring on Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepal, Sabin Presch on the impact of tourism from Corona, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mरller Boker on Senior Citizens' Rights Dr. Arne Drews highlighted the state of the Kovid epidemic in Nepal.
Similarly, Berner Seifer presented a working paper on post-earthquake reconstruction, Shaila Wifen presented a paper on the potential of young manpower, Dieter Snoor presented a treatise on Dhamizhankri, Dr. Luna Bharti presented a paper on the preservation of cultural heritage, and Henner Baker presented a working paper on the potential of Nepal's organic agriculture.

New working committee selection

The recent convention of the German Nepal Friendship Association held in Cologne, Germany has selected a new working committee under the chairmanship of Ram Pratap Thapa. Alka Khanal and Norbert Meyer are the vice presidents, Uwe Haynes is the treasurer and Christine Petraeus is the secretary.

Similar members are Catherine Althous, Kamala Dahal, Prof. Dr. Astrid Funke, and Tamara Bulo. The term of the working committee will be three years. The Association was established 53 years ago with the objective of expanding the friendly relations between Germany and Nepal at the grassroots level and assisting in the development of Nepal through non-governmental organizations.