Industry Minister: Promoting Nepali Liquor a Key Priority

 KATHMANDU, JUNE 23 — The government is preparing to promote domestic liquor brands as a way to generate more revenue. Speaking in the House of Representatives during discussions on the budget for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Minister Damodar Bhandari said that a specific budget has been set aside to fund promotional activities for this purpose.


He also shared that mine exploration has been given special attention in the current fiscal year. Additionally, Rs 500 million has been allocated to support entrepreneurship, including funding for technology upgrades and concessional loans. Special programs and funding have also been arranged to help young entrepreneurs.


Minister Bhandari said the government plans to relocate industries currently operating inside the Kathmandu Valley to designated industrial zones outside the Valley. To make this move easier, the government will provide incentives, including free land leases.


He added that legal and structural changes are underway to promote public-private partnerships (PPP), and a plan has already been prepared to run the Dhaubadi Iron Company under this model. Similar PPP-based development is planned for the Simara and Panchkhal Special Economic Zones.


The government is also working on various strategies to create jobs—such as building industrial infrastructure, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), creating industrial villages, and launching skill development programs.


To ensure smooth implementation of these projects and to boost capital spending, Minister Bhandari mentioned that laws like the Economic Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2076, and the Industrial Business Act have been introduced.

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