Bhim Gautam 
KATHMANDU: An investment worth Rs30.38 trillion is required for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from 2016 to 2030. The need identification, cost estimation and financial strategy report for the SDGs prepared by the National Planning Commission (NPC) in December 2017 estimated the amount, which clearly suggests Nepal needs an annual average investment of Rs 2025 billion to achieve the goals.
For the implementation of SDGs, the need for contributions from households living in the country to non-governmental organizations has been identified. Out of the total required amount, 54.8 percent from the public sector, 36.5 percent from the private sector, 4.4 percent from households, and 4.3 percent from the cooperatives and non-governmental sectors will be arranged.
The report shows that Rs 1109 billion worth of investment is required to be collected from the private sector for the implementation of the SDGs. It is seen that the investment of the private sector is Rs 55 billion short of the required amount. For economic growth of 8 percent or more, 55 percent of the total investment requirement should be arranged from the private sector and for this, an appropriate environment should be created by undergoing required policy reforms. However, the private sector has not yet internalized to get themselves involved in the SDGs process.
“Until now, we have been working in our own way, this will certainly help the SDGs. However, the work that needs to be done in line with the goals of the SDGs has not progressed yet”
The experience of the private sector is that although cooperation has been found in some areas during 7 years of SDG implementation, it has not yet been able to internalize and implement all the goals.
“Until now, we have been working in our own way, this will certainly help the SDGs. However, the work that needs to be done in line with the goals of the SDGs has not progressed yet”, says Birendra Raj Pandey, Vice President, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI)
Gopi Mainali, the former secretary of the government, says that even after 7 years of SDG’s launch, it has not been internalized in the private sector and community sector. The NPC has identified the contribution of the private sector and the community. However, even after 7 years, it has not been able to be internalized in those areas, he says.
“The National Planning Commission (NPC) has identified the contribution of the private sector and the community. However, even after 7 years, it has not been internalized in those areas,”
The implementation has not progressed in the last two years due to the Covid pandemic, but he hopes that it will be accelerated in the coming year. Dr. Govind Nepal, the senior economist, also says that although the private sector does not have a concrete program on how to meet the SDG targets, it is only counting the financial contribution from the development that has been carried out on a regular basis.
In order to achieve the goals through the joint mechanism of the government and the private sector, a clear plan of coordination and facilitation should be made, but it has not been done so far. If there is a clear study and monitoring system, it will make SDG implementation much easier,” he says.
“The private sector is doing what it is told to do. If there is a clear study/monitoring system, the implementation of SDGs will be very easy,”
The NPC states that it is preparing the budget focusing on the implementation of SDGs and has also brought forward a program to encourage the private sector.“The private sector is doing what it is told to do. If there is a clear study/monitoring system, the implementation of SDGs will be very easy,” says Dr. Govind Nepal, Economist, and former member of, the National Planning Commission
Dr. Bishwonath Paudel, Vice chairman of, the National Planning Commission says that when the government’s financial and monetary policy was introduced, the SDGs were placed at the center and policy incentives programs were introduced to include the private sector in it.
“The government has given a lot of thought to the implementation of the SDGs when bringing the budget and monetary policy,” says Poudel, “The private sector’s contribution to the SDGs is important. The government has moved forward by creating policy incentives and models. When the government brings the budget and monetary policy, a lot of consideration has been given to the implementation of the SDGs. The contribution of the private sector is important in this. The government has moved forward by creating policy incentives and models,” – Dr. Bishwonath Paudel, Vice chairman, National Planning Commission
When the government brings the budget and monetary policy, a lot of consideration has been given to the implementation of the SDGs. The contribution of the private sector is important in this. The government has moved forward by creating policy incentives and models,”
When the government brings the budget and monetary policy, a lot of consideration has been given to the implementation of the SDGs. The contribution of the private sector is important in this. The government has moved forward by creating policy incentives and models,” – Dr. Bishwonath Paudel, Vice chairman, National Planning Commission
Sudarshan Bartaula, Chief of Security and Spokesperson of Yeti Airlines, says that in the agreement with UNDP on achieving sustainable development goals, they are working on sustainable protection and development of the environment to reduce carbon emissions. We have planted 3.5 lakhs trees to reduce carbon emissions. We have been spending 15 rupees of the revenue received from passengers’ tickets at Dhangadhi airport to plant trees,” says Bartaula.
We have planted 3.5 lakh trees to reduce carbon emissions. We have been spending Rs 15 of the revenue received from passengers’ tickets at Dhangadhi Airport for planting trees
Most of the targets demand a private sector role
For the sustainable development of goals 14 out of 17, the contribution of the private sector is essential to achieve most of the goals, except for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources. “The commission has prepared a report that the contribution of the private sector and the community sector is important to achieve most of the SDGs,” says Mainali, a former secretary who has worked in the NPC for a long time.
The investment in value addition activities by mobilizing internal resources of the private sector in poverty alleviation goal-1 will help create job and enterprise development. The commission has mentioned that the private sector can contribute through investment in responsible production and supply for Goal 2 of ending hunger, achieving food security and advanced nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The private sector can contribute by investing in the production and distribution of specialized hospitals, laboratories, teaching hospitals, medicines, and equipment for Goal 3 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting the welfare of people of all ages.
Similarly, it is said that for Goal 4 of ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning, the private sector can complement the public sector by increasing access to quality vocational and technical training through investment in education. The skills of human resources can be optimized for employment and entrepreneurship.
In order to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, it is mentioned that ending all kinds of discrimination against women and girls in private sector jobs and providing positions for women at all levels of leadership and decision-making in business.
The private sector will ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all in Goal 6, first by investing in business models in a sustainable way to use the water resources available in the country, as well as to reduce the emission of polluted water, end dumping and reduce the release of hazardous chemicals and materials in the public and community sectors. It is mentioned that the quality of drinking water can be improved.
Goal 7 is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all states so that the private sector can make sustainable investments in modern and renewable energy production as well as transportation and distribution. Promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. Target 8 states that investment in the private sector can contribute to increasing productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
The report mentions that the private sector can invest in developing quality, reliable and uplifting infrastructure and reduce carbon-intensive production by adopting less energy-intensive industries, clean fuel, and technology in goal-9 of building strong infrastructure, sustaining industrialization, and encouraging innovation.
In Goal 10, reducing inequality within and between countries is primarily the responsibility of the respective states, but it is mentioned that the private sector can help achieve the goal as it can conduct business in a socially responsible manner. Making cities inclusive, safe, strong, and sustainable in Goal 11 It is mentioned that the private sector can also contribute to the development of affordable housing and basic services and accessible and sustainable transport services, public transport, and integrated settlements.
Goal 12 to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns state that it can contribute through sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, and it is mentioned that it can be shared through environmentally appropriate management of chemicals and wastes.
NPC’s projection
Goal 13 is mainly to take immediate action to combat climate change and its effects: Although the state is responsible for policy and international negotiations, the report mentions that the private sector can play an important role in achieving this goal by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other gases that increase the global temperature in view of environmental responsibility.
Noting that the achievement of target 15 to sustainably manage forests, fight against desertification, reverse such processes by stopping land degradation and prevent the loss of biological diversity depends on the activities of the private sector, this sector should implement eco-friendly investment programs, reduce the degradation of natural habitats, and prevent the loss of biological diversity. It has been mentioned that it can contribute to this goal by helping and internalizing environmental costs.
For promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies, Goal 16 requires private sector investment to uphold the rule of law at the national and international levels, prevent illicit financial investments and arms flows, broadly reduce corruption and promote effective, accountable, and transparent practices in private institutions and companies. It is mentioned that the contribution of the private sector will be important for promotion.
Goal 17 is to implement global partnerships for sustainable development and strengthen means of revitalization including strengthening domestic resource mobilization, improving domestic capacity for taxation and other methods of revenue collection, mobilizing foreign investment, engaging public-private partnerships (PPPs), and policy-making. It is mentioned that the role of the private sector will be important for its implementation.
In particular, Goal 17 has emphasized resource management necessary for the implementation of most of the provisions of the SDGs. However, although the government has used its resources, the situation of receiving external aid is not satisfactory.
Developed countries have not been given the aid mentioned in SDGs by the United Nations. According to former secretary Mainali, the global partners including developed countries should contribute 0.2 percent of their income and 0.9 percent of the Gross National Income (GNI) to the least developed countries for the implementation of SDGs. However, Nepal has not received that amount from the international funding which has caused the delay in implementation.
