PM Dahal directs Industry Ministry to prioritise startup businesses targeting youth

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) to prioritise startup businesses targeting the youth.

In a discussion related to the MoICS held in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu today, PM Dahal instructed the ministry to run a business promotion campaign in all seven provinces through the 'Business Incubation Centre' to motivate youths with innovative ideas and a zeal for entrepreneurship.

"Please prepare a special plan to link the innovative ideas of at least 20,000 youths to the production of goods and services, and manage a 'job metre' to measure self-employment, startups, and the employment created by various enterprises by mobilising the Startup Fund," the Prime Minister directed the Ministry. He stressed the need for the diplomatic missions of the Government of Nepal to focus on promoting industries and commerce, and directed the relevant bodies to move ahead by preparing the required plan, mechanism, and programme.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ramesh Rijal shared that there were obstructions in operating the determined programmes due to the scarcity of funds allocated for the promotion of industries and businesses, stressing the need for an integrated solution to this problem from the government side.

Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal directed the ministry to implement the topics covered in the Prime Minister's address to the nation on Tuesday by preparing an action plan. He said that from now on, evaluations will be done on the basis of ministry-wise data. Chief Secretary Aryal also instructed the ministry secretaries to prioritise areas declared as industrial zones.

Secretary at the MoICS, Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi, made a presentation on the condition of the ministry, the status of progress, and the challenges and upcoming programmes. He underscored the need for alignment among the new policies, plans, programmes, and budget, saying that the programmes were scattered due to the lack of inter-agency coordination and integration of policies. He added that the ministry was focused on promoting entrepreneurship, upgrading small, cottage, and micro enterprises, developing industrial and trade infrastructures, building the capacity of employees, and innovative programmes.

Secretary Duwadi stressed the need to advocate for the promotion of Nepal's industries and commerce in bilateral and multilateral forums. He said the concept of a startup business with the slogan 'Rise Up Nepal Campaign' has been introduced to promote entrepreneurship among the youth.

He further said that a deadline should be set for the environmental impact assessment and suggested integrating the programmes implemented in the name of the Prime Minister and operating the fair-price shops year-round. Preparations have also been made to check market inflation, he added.

National Planning Commission (NPC) Vice-Chairman Min Bahadur Shrestha, member Ram Kumar Phuyal, Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Puskar, Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister Eknarayan Aryal, among other officials, expressed their views on the occasion.