A group of civil society organizations (CSOs) working on transparency and accountability have urged the government to join Open Government Partnership (OGP)-a global movement for developing trust between government and citizens.
During an interaction organized by Freedom Forum and Accountability Lab on ‘OGP and Climate Investment’ in the capital on March 28 (Thursday), CSO leaders called for the government to opt OGP for securing better investment climate and pave way for economic progress.
OGP stands for transparency, accountability, participation and technological innovation which are imperative to enable environment of investment, the speakers said.
Country Representative of Accountability Lab, Narayan Adhikari, suggested the government to sign OGP to show its commitment to improved transparency and accountability, which play vital role to bring investment in the country. Growing investment is linked to country’s economic growth and prosperity, he added.
Similarly, Freedom Forum Executive Chief, Taranath Dahal, said the availability of data and information along with ownership transparency are imperative to build trust among investors which would help ensure investment climate.
Researcher Sanjeeb Ghimire opined that Nepal can improve its image with rising status on Doing Business Index with the adoption of OGP, because the variables in both are similar. Currently, Nepal’s ranks very low in the Doing Business Index, he added.
Moreover, Chairperson of CAHURAST Nepal, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, also highlighted the need for the country to adopt the culture of open government and collaboration within citizens, which not only help unlock national potential but also invite foreign capital.
Speaking on the occasion, NGO Federation’s General Secretary Ram Prasad Subedi, SAP Nepal’s Executive Director Narendra Joshi, and Posta KC of GOGO Foundation called for the government to improve business environment for the prosperity of the country.