If Nepal government thinks that they are doing good by not facilitating foreign investment then they are wrong. Whatever the present Nepalese trade policy is in writing, it has manifested into export-less import-more trade in reality. We mostly consume foreign products; those products were foreign invested. The only difference then is that we are loosing the employment opportunities businesses might have created if they were allowed to invest in Nepal.

I am not proposing here that this is right or that is wrong. I firmly believe that we need to build a mechanism to analyze what is going on and then think about the best course of action. System wise, Nepal currently is like a car being driven by a blind-folded person.

(On a completely different note, I am impressed with your creativity in coming-up with a suitable avatar for this forum. Good job!)

Early this year, a Chinese company did a lot of work (a) to find gold in Karnali and (b) to install a mining plant.

This for me sounds very positive although I am not sure about the long run. As long as they comply with the 35% organizational income tax policy of Nepal govt, that sounds fine to me, eh!

1. What type of change in the local restaurant business can be predicted if KFCs and PHs start mushrooming their outlets? The business policy of KFCs and Burger Kings, in London for instance, is such that they even open another outlet just across the street facing each other which still makes sufficient business to beat the rental/maintenance costs of one of the posh streets in Europe.

During the initial phase when Kathmanduites’ eagerness to ‘taste’ the new-flavour-in-town is ever-rising with the multinational investment pouring into leading media channels, it can be predicted with ease that local attractions for eating out will have to suffer a drop in sale. However, health conscious movements will have to work really hard to prove that buffalo fat is better for us than extra cheese toppings and deep-fried drumstick.

2. Another issue I would like to raise is whether we want foreign investment that is:
(a) against public health,
(b) takes away lot of local economy from franchises as royalties to the first world countries,
(c) multiplies the cultural downfall of Nepalese eating habits and cookery, and
(d) adds on to urbanizing traditional architecture of world heritage sites into global brands and sign boards?

Or we would like to encourage foreign investment which will boost our ultra-potential industries like tourism, art and crafts, entertainment, technology and education to name a few.

I am not against development and foreign investment but in a country like ours where the policy makers are busy with ‘more important games’ among themselves, who other than the youth can be a better voice for letting foreign influences effect the right sectors of our society?
If our youth is vigilant and encourage those ventures that can bring about the right kind of change for us, I will assume we know our responsibility.