Minister Gurung urges multinational companies to invest in Nepal's IT sector

KATHMANDU: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has urged multinational companies to confidently invest in Nepal, highlighting the ample opportunities available in the country's IT sector.

In his address to the Digital Safety Summit Nepal, organised by TikTok in coordination with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) in Kathmandu today, the Minister, who is also the government spokesperson, assured that investment security is guaranteed in Nepal.

"The government has ensured policy provisions for the protection of foreign investment," he said. "Nepal now offers a favourable environment for multinational companies like TikTok to invest confidently, with the guarantee of returns." He also shared details about the conditions set for IT companies regarding their social responsibility. TikTok, he pointed out, resumed operations in Nepal in compliance with these conditions.

Minister Gurung stressed the need for combined efforts among the government, civil society, and social media users to realise the vision of building a digital Nepal.

TikTok has been registered with the MoCIT in accordance with the Social Media Management Guidelines, 2081 BS, the Minister added. He expressed his belief that TikTok will contribute towards the modernisation of Nepal's education system and increasing digital literacy through the digital security campaign, organisation of training and workshops, and the production of local educational materials, as well as by providing scholarships and operating smart classrooms at schools and colleges.

He added that the government has put forth conditions for TikTok to support Nepal's tourism promotion, contribute to IT development, and emphasise educational progress.

According to him, TikTok has been registered and allowed to re-operate in Nepal as the online video-sharing platform has abided by these conditions.

"We are convinced that TikTok will maintain the image of a decent social site contributing to Nepal's social and economic development," the Communication Minister said, adding that the government has declared the coming decade as the IT Decade with the objective of developing the country as an IT hub.

He also shared the government's goal of creating job opportunities in the IT sector.

On a different note, Minister Gurung said that social sites should be operated strictly in accordance with existing laws, Acts, and work procedures. He reiterated that the government is also committed to cyber security, as a civilised society can only be built through the prevention of cyber crimes, which have been growing in recent years.

Expressing concern over women and children falling prey to cybercrime in higher numbers, Minister Gurung stressed the appropriate use of ICT.