Marketing of domestic liquor a special priority: Industry Minister

Kathmandu, June 23: The government is going to take institutional initiatives to generate income by promoting and marketing domestic liquor.

While answering the queries raised by the lawmakers during deliberations on the FY appropriation for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Minister Damodar Bhandari said that the necessary budget has been allocated to implement the promotional program for this purpose. In the current fiscal year, special priority has been given to the field of mine exploration.

Minister Bhandari said Rs 500 million has been allocated for entrepreneurship development, technology upgrading, and concessional interest subsidies for entrepreneurs. In addition, programs and funds have been allocated for young entrepreneurs. He mentioned that the Ministry has a policy to relocate industries running inside Kathmandu valley to industrial zones outside the valley, by providing them with incentives for the same.

Arrangements have been made to provide land on free lease to such industries. Initiatives are being taken for legal and structural reforms to implement the government’s commitment to strengthen public-private partnerships through the budget. A framework has been developed to operate the Dhaubadi Iron Company under a public-private partnership.

He mentioned that the process of developing Simara Special Economic Zone and Panchkhal Special Economic Zone under the public-private partnership model will be expedited. The government is moving forward with various plans to create employment through industrial infrastructure construction, promotion of small and medium industries, industrial village development and skill development programs.

Minister Bhandari also shared that the government has introduced the Economic Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2076 and the Industrial Business Act, among other acts, to ensure the effective implementation of industrial and employment-oriented projects and increase capital expenditure.