Information Technology Policy, 2057 (2000)

Vision:
To place Nepal on the Global map of Information Technology within the next five years.

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 information technology in the shortest time possible for the sake of the national economy.
Objectives:
a) To make Information Technology accessible to the general public and increase employment through this means.
b) To build a knowledge-based society.
c) To establish knowledge-based industries.

Strategies:
High Priority to R & D
Development of Competent IT Manpower
Encourage Domestic and Foreign Investment
Promotion of e-commerce
IT, a tool to e-governance
Promotion of IT industry
Computer Education Curriculum starting from the school level
IT Network extension to rural areas.
Export of IT services worth Rs. 10 billion within next 5 years

Information Technology Policy
The policies to be pursued for the implementation of the above-mentioned strategies shall be as follows:
1. Declare IT sector a priority sector.
2. Adopt one window system
3. Priorities R & D in IT
4. Provide Internet facility gradually to all VDCs
5. Assist and encourage educational Institutions for domestic and Foreign Training in IT
6. Computer the system in all Government Offices
7. Develop physical and Virtual IT parks
8. Use IT to promote e-commerce, e-education, e-health etc.
9. Establish Venture Capital Fund in PPP
10. Enact necessary laws to provide legitimacy to IT application.

Need for Revision
Non Implementation Issues: -
Vision: - 3 years already passed out of 5
Strategy:-(4.15) Export of 10 billion within next two years, not possible
Action Plan:-
(6.2.3) Customs duty rebate period (3 years out of 5 years)
(6.2.4) Establishment of Internet Nodes:-
2001/002- All Development Regions
2003/004- All District Headquarters
(6.2.5) Computer Education to all by 2010

Change in Institutional Provisions:-
Dissolution of: -
7.1 National Information Technology Development Council 2058
7.3 National Information Technology Co-ordination Committee 2058

Establishment of High Level Commission for Information Technology 2060
Composition: -
1.  Rt Honorable Prime Minister, Chairman
2.  Honorable ,Manohar Kumar Bhattarai, Vice chairman
3.  Honorable Member,National Planning Commission, Member
4.  Secretary,Ministry of Information and Communication , Member
5.  Secretary, Ministry of Science & Technology , Member
6.  Secretary,Ministry of Education and Sports, Member
7.  Secretary,Ministry of Finance, Member
8.  Chairman, Nepal Telecommunication Authority, Member
9.  President CAN , Member
10. President ITPF , Member
11. Mr. Juddha Bahadur Gurung, Member Secretary
Provision in:-
a. Policy Document 2057(2000): May be Reviewed and amended every two year or even prior. (Section 9)
b. Functions, duties and Powers Given to HLCIT Recommend to HMG to formulate and review IT Policy, Monitor policy      implementation, Review Annual Progress, Recommend to modify or amend the policy

Click here to download IT Policy 2057