Govt prioritizes investment in small and cottage industry

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said the government would take special initiative to augment investment in small and cottage industries.

PM Dahal assured the small entrepreneurs that the government was working on a policy that ensures loans easily to the small entrepreneurs and their products promoted accordingly. He said this while inaugurating the 16th International Industrial Trade Fair, Small and Cottage Industries Festival, and the Sixth Organic Agriculture Fair-2023 at Bhrikutimandap on Tuesday.

"Government policy itself should protect and promote small and cottage industries, for which a separate action is necessary. The government, therefore, pays heed to it," PM Dahal stressed, reminding that Nepal used to export food grains five decades back. The country has huge potential for agricultural products. Now, the time has come for all sides to promote the marketing of agricultural products.

As the country is reeling under a financial crisis at present, the government bears the utmost responsibility to address the problems. "Government is engrossed in resolving the problems and prop up the economy. We can't excuse at this moment," he underlined.

On the occasion, Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Bhagawati Chaudhari, said Nepal's traditional skills must be commercialized. "Promotion of export and self-reliant economy are present needs," she said, national and international marketing of the goods is equally important.

Similarly, the Minister for Tourism, Industry, and Cooperatives of Bangmati Province, Dambar Tamang, informed that the provincial government would play a significant role in promoting the markets of indigenous and domestic products. "Even the government policy bears significance in trade promotion. Arts and culture are invaluable inheritances. For their promotion, all sides' cooperation is essential," he stressed.

The festival and fairs would run till February 18. Some 200 thousand people are expected to visit the events leading to a transaction of around Rs 80 million.