Investment Board Nepal's 'Strategy and Business Plan 2081-86' has been approved with a plan to achieve ambitious goals in the field of infrastructure development in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concept.

The plan was approved by the Investment Board Nepal meeting held last Sunday. According to the spokesperson of the board, Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, plans and strategies have been prepared for the work to be done in various projects within the next four years. The topics covered in the

'strategy' are very ambitious. A target is set as the minimum and maximum amount of investment that can be brought in. We believe that if a good environment for investment is created, manpower management is done and the necessary laws are prepared, that much investment can be brought in,' said spokesperson Upadhyay. He says that this document is important for the transformation of the institutional structure of the

board, strengthening of the organization and manpower management. According to the strategic and business plan of the

board, the goal is to complete the construction of 11 projects worth eight billion and 95 million US dollars by the financial year 2085/86. Even if all the projects are not completed, the goal is to bring into operation at least five projects worth four billion and seven million US dollars.

Likewise, at least seven projects worth two billion 830 million US dollars will reach the construction stage by the fiscal year 2085/86. The board has set a goal of completing the final stage of construction of 14 projects worth a maximum of five billion and 55 million US dollars.

Within the next four years, 57 projects worth a maximum of 24 billion 300 million US dollars have been proposed to be studied in the 'pipeline'.

Similarly, 52 projects worth 23 billion 500 million US dollars will be delivered to the procurement process. According to the board, during this period, 42 projects worth 17 billion 950 million US dollars will reach the negotiation stage of Project Development Agreement (PDA) and Project Implementation Agreement (PIA).

32 projects with a cost of 15 billion 700 million US dollars are mentioned in the strategy to reach the stage of financial management and pre-development activities.

Looking at the situation of the projects implemented by the private sector and other agencies, within the next four years, investments equal to 7 billion 450 million US dollars will be approved for a maximum of 67 projects of private investment and 3 billion 150 million US dollars for 25 projects implemented by other agencies.

The board has also prepared a blueprint for the organization structure with the necessary directorates for the implementation of this plan. Including the Planning Administration and Financial Management Directorate, Public-Private Partnership Directorate, Investment Promotion and Facilitation Directorate and Project Development and Management Directorate.

It has been mentioned that all these directorates require at least joint secretary level staff. Also, it has been decided to conduct a survey on the organization and management of the Board of Investment.

While the scheme is being approved with ambitious targets, the board's achievements over the past decade and a half do not look satisfactory.

The board has approved only 12 billion rupees worth of investment for 38 projects since its inception. The gap between sanctioned investment and realized investment appears to be very wide.

Although a single point service center has been established in the office of the investment board, it has not been able to operate effectively. There is insufficient manpower at the single point, and there has been slowness and reluctance in the implementation of decisions taken by the board.