Govt. to launch program for reduction of import

The government is about to launch the 'Prime Minister Nepali Production and Consumer Promotion Programme'.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has prepared to launch the programme announcing 'Increase in production: Country's development and prosperity special campaign decade-2079/89'.

At an interaction organised by the Ministry on the concept paper of the programme here Wednesday, Minister Dilendra Prasad Badu said preparation was underway to bring the 'Prime Minister Nepali Production and Consumer Promotion Programme' into implementation to make the import-dependent economy an export-oriented economy.

He opined, "We have not been able to expand our country's industries and create employment opportunities. We cannot stop imports if we do not use our domestic products. So, the country's economy cannot be improved if we do not adopt a strategy of replacing the imports gradually. The programme is going to be introduced with this conclusion."

Saying the programme would be effective to improve the country's economy, the Industry Ministry stressed the need of forwarding the programme as a special campaign.

The "Prime Minister Nepali Production and Consumer Promotion Programme' has set a goal to increase the contribution of the production-oriented sector to the gross domestic product by up to 15 per cent within 10 years and increase the use of domestic production and reduce the import of goods.

Similarly, Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa suggested that the programme be taken ahead based on the advice and suggestion of the bodies concerned to stop the import within four to five years and promote exports by making a clear policy.

He further said production of domestic items should be increased as well as the import of smuggled goods should be stopped to reduce imports.

Likewise, lawmaker Pramod Yadav, former Chief Secretary Bimal Koirala and former Secretary of the Finance Ministry, Rameshwor Khanal, pointed out the need that the government gave priority to domestic industries to make the country self-reliant on the economy.

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