Data Bigyan talks with Mr. Bhushan Gautam, CEO of ITBHA International Pvt. Ltd., (Weblink: https://itbha.com/) regarding the tech ecosystem in Nepal.
1. What factors motivated you to start this company?
In the IT sector, a company is usually started when personal skills align with the right opportunities. Motivation alone is not enough. I studied IT and have always had a strong interest in the IT field. Considering that the timing was right and the market was relevant, I decided to establish ITBHA International Pvt. Ltd.
2. What products are you currently developing and exporting?
We primarily focus on software development. Our clients are based in the US, UK, Australia, and India. Essentially, we provide outsourcing services to international markets.
3. Does the government support IT work in Nepal?
Generally, IT work is not adequately supported by the government in Nepal. We rely heavily on foreign markets for servers, domains, and payments. Payments are usually received through remittance channels. Clients often request direct payment links. But we are frequently unable to provide them, which makes the process inconvenient. Clients sometimes find it uncomfortable to visit remittance counters to transfer money.
Although some banks in Nepal provide payment gateway services. They have charge for installation fees, API fees, and transaction costs of around 3 to 4 percent. This is not standard global practice. Due to these challenges, many young professionals prefer to migrate abroad. In other countries, it is much easier to start an IT company and operate smoothly.
4. How is AI affecting IT work?
The impact of AI on the IT sector is massive. Most large companies have already adopted AI technologies. We are currently in a transition phase and waiting to see the long-term results. Once AI-generated products are fully launched in the market, we will better understand their efficiency and whether they face technical malfunctions.
At present, outsourcing work has decreased because many tasks are becoming automated and low cost. Basic coding jobs are gradually disappearing. Now, work related to product design, advanced development, and innovation has become more important.
5. Finally, what would you like to say?
Students who focus only on coding may face difficulties in the future job market. There is now a strong need for visualization skills, critical thinking, business development knowledge, and leadership abilities. It is still difficult to predict how the IT market will evolve once AI becomes fully integrated into everyday work.
