SAWTEE’s researchers Ms. Dikshya Singh and Mr. Kshitiz Dahal participated in panel discussions organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in partnership with the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Secretariat and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) during their event titled ‘Shaping a Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food System in the BIMSTEC Region’ in Bangkok, Thailand on 3-4 October 2024. The platform aimed to bridge the gap between research and policy, ensuring that data-driven insights contribute to more effective agricultural transformation and policies in BIMSTEC countries.

Ms. Dikshya Singh, Programme Coordinator, SAWTEE, spoke in a panel on the virtual launch of the OECD’s Multilateral Development Finance 2024 Report (MDFR) organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Read More

Many countries witnessed a surge in their public debt levels after the COVID-19 pandemic and hence public debt issues were once again at the forefront. South Asian nations also saw a rise in their public debt levels. Unsustainable public debt led Sri Lanka to default on its sovereign debt in April 2022 and Pakistan witnessed severe difficulties in servicing its debt. Nepal, while not witnessing any imminent debt crisis, has, nonetheless, seen a meteoric rise in its public debt stock. Against this background, the report “The Political Economy of Debt” presents national studies on public debt in three South Asian countries—Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Read More

At the request of the private sector, Dr. Paras Kharel, Executive Director, SAWTEE, presented on "Nepal-US merchandise trade: An anatomy" at a "Dialogue on Nepal-US trade and investment: Prospects and challenges", organized by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Export Entrepreneurs Nepal (FEEN), Garment Association of Nepal (GAN), and Nepal-USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with support from USAID, on 9 September 2024 in Kathmandu. Those present on the occasion included a member of parliament, representatives of the private sector, including exporters, policymakers, USAID representatives and the media.

Dr. Paras Kharel, Executive Director, SAWTEE, spoke in a panel on Nepal’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status in a workshop organized by NGO Federation of Nepal on 22 August 2024 in Kathmandu. Representatives of a variety of non-governmental organizations and the media participated in the programme, which also featured a keynote speech by the secretary of the National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal.

At the request of Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Government of Nepal, on 21 August 2024, Dr. Paras Kharel, Executive Director, SAWTEE, made a presentation on Nepal-US trade, with a focus on the agenda of extension and expansion of Nepal Trade Preference Programme (a duty-free market access facility), which is due to expire in December 2025. Present on the occasion at the ministry were the commerce secretary, other MoICS officials, private sector representatives and USAID representatives. A meeting of the council of Nepal-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) is slated for September 2024.

SAWTEE is delighted to announce an exciting fellowship opportunity for journalists in Nepal. The fellowship program will select two journalists who will have the opportunity to delve into trade and climate change nexus. This fellowship presents a unique opportunity for journalists to deepen their knowledge, expand their network, and contribute to the public’s understanding of critical issues at the intersection of trade and climate change.

FELLOWSHIP TIMELINE: 1 September–31 December 2024

Selection is ongoing

SAWTEE’s Programme Coordinator Dikshya Singh provides insights into different economic issues haunting Nepal’s economy at present along with the country’s leading experts in the July issue of Business 360 magazine. 

Read the full interview here: https://www.b360nepal.com/epaper/161

Dr. Paras Kharel, Executive Director, SAWTEE, spoke on panels on BIMSTEC trade, investment and connectivity and "Sixth BIMSTEC Summit and way ahead" at the Third Bay of Bengal Economic Dialogue, organized by South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) and Chulalongkorn University, on 11-12 July 2024 in Bangkok. Speaking on the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), he highlighted the need for a trade adjustment mechanism to help weaker economies adjust to trade liberalization shocks; tackling non-tariff measures; a regional transit arrangement; and on-boarding observers to mobilize technical and financial resources.