Kathmandu - Stakeholders from Nepal’s private sector and government institutions have emphasized the need for strong collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of the National Economic Census 2082, during an interaction program held on Monday at the secretariat of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).
The interaction was jointly organized by FNCCI and the National Statistics Office (NSO) to engage industrialists and business representatives on the objectives, process, and significance of the upcoming economic census. Participants highlighted that active participation from the private sector, alongside effective coordination with government agencies, is crucial for generating reliable and comprehensive economic data.
The National Statistics Office is preparing to conduct the National Economic Census 2082 with the objective of collecting, processing, analyzing, and publishing baseline information on establishments engaged in economic activities across Nepal. The census aims to capture data from industries, trade, and service sectors operating nationwide.
Speaking at the program, FNCCI Vice President Hemraj Dhakal stated that the economic census would provide a realistic picture of Nepal’s economic conditions, including the status of industries and businesses, investment trends, and employment patterns. He noted that the findings would play a significant role in policy formulation and economic planning, stressing that the census cannot succeed without the meaningful involvement of the private sector. Dhakal affirmed FNCCI’s commitment to extending necessary cooperation to support the census process.
Similarly, Dhundiraj Lamichhane, Joint Secretary at the National Statistics Office, said the National Economic Census 2082 would contribute to evidence-based policymaking by producing detailed data on industrial, commercial, and service sectors. He assured participants that confidentiality of business data would be strictly maintained and encouraged entrepreneurs to provide accurate information without hesitation.
Nepal conducted its first National Economic Census in 2075 B.S., covering economic units classified under 18 groups as per the International Standard Industrial Classification. Building on that experience, the National Statistics Office has announced that the second National Economic Census will be conducted from Baisakh 2 to Asar 7, 2083 B.S.
During the program, Dr. Ved Prasad Dhakal, Director of the National Statistics Office, delivered a presentation outlining the necessity, objectives, and broader importance of the National Economic Census 2082. He explained that the census would support government policy formulation and planning, help measure policy outcomes, strengthen estimates of Gross Domestic Product and national accounts, assist in revising the base year for national accounts, and provide a sampling frame for future economic surveys. The census also aims to lay the foundation for a statistical business register and develop indicators related to Nepal’s informal economy.
Participants at the interaction shared their perspectives on the effectiveness of the economic census, the role of private sector participation, potential challenges in data collection, and possible measures to improve the overall process.
