Tim Gocher speaking to MBA students on the role of the private sector in re-building a post-crisis nation
Tim Gocher, Honorary Professor of Sustainable Business at Nottingham University Business School Malaysia and Chairman of the Dolma Impact Fund, speaks to MBA students from NUBS Malaysia, Singapore and Nottingham University Business School UK on the 'Role of the Private Sector in Rebuilding a Post-Crisis Nation', on 1 June 2015.
Tim, who has been actively involved in earthquake relief work in Nepal, is the founder of the first international private equity fund for Nepal, the Dolma Impact Fund. The fund was established with support from the UK government through its Department for International Development, and targets positive financial returns alongside social and environmental outcomes, thus not being reliant on aid. Tim is also Chairman of the Dolma Foundation, a British non-profit organisation he founded in 2003 that provides full scholarships for the poorest children in Nepal and support for developmental community projects.
In his talk, Tim highlighted the severe economic impact of the earthquake on Nepal, where economic losses could amount to as much as USD10 billion, or approximately 50% of Nepal's GDP. "The quake has badly hit infrastructure, especially hydropower, as well as tourism, banking and real estate sectors," he said.
The Dolma Foundation has provided relief to remote communities through immediate relief and the building of pre-monsoon temporary structures, and has plans in place for post-monsoon rebuilding of schools and homes. It is also promoting ecotourism with a focus on "Treks to Rebuild Communities" through its eco-tourism arm, Dolma Ecotourism.
In working with the Government of Nepal on efforts in rebuilding the nation, Tim emphasises the need to build strong local firms in conjunction with aid income, in the areas of construction, power, tourism and agriculture, and his foundation aims to do this in conjunction with banks, the British Embassy in Kathmandu, and the Investment Board of Nepal/the Nepal Ministry of Finance.
Find out more about Tim's work.
Posted on 5th June 2015