Highlights from the Society of Transport Engineers Nepal (SOTEN) International Seminar

The Society of Transport Engineers Nepal (SOTEN) successfully hosted an international seminar titled ‘Transforming Transport for Shared Prosperity’ on 24 February 2024. The esteemed event was presided over by Prof. Padma Bahadur Shahi, the President of SOTEN, with Mrs. Pramila Devi Baracharya, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, gracing the occasion as well. The seminar audience was of over 200 participants.

The opening and closing sessions of the seminar were honored by the presence of distinguished government officials from Nepal and renowned experts in the transportation sector. The inaugural technical session commenced with a comprehensive presentation highlighting the current transportation development landscape of Nepal. It delved into the innovative strategies and modernisation initiatives adopted within the sector, emphasising their alignment with the goal of fostering prosperity through transportation and incorporating global best practices.

Following this, the second technical session centred around exploring innovative financing mechanisms for transport infrastructure, particularly focusing on the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). A panel discussion ensued, featuring representatives from key entities such as the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MOPIT), Investment Board Nepal (IBN), and stakeholders from the construction industry and commercial banks. The discussion critically examined the suitability and effectiveness of the HAM model in the context of Nepal’s transport infrastructure development.

Overall, the seminar provided a platform for insightful discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaborative dialogue aimed at advancing the transportation sector towards shared prosperity and sustainable growth.