Kathmandu, Sept 23: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle, who is also looking after the Prime Minister’s portfolio, said the micro, small, medium and cottage enterprises sector has been on government’s priority.
In a meeting with the delegation of the Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) today, Minister Dr Wagle stated that the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises is instrumental for country’s economic growth and that the government is committed to lend as much as possible support.
On behalf of the Federation, suggestions were made for policy reforms for the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises, including declaring next 10 years as the ‘Decade of Small, Cottage, and Micro Industry Development,’ providing concessional and zero interest loans, and giving tax incentives to new enterprises.
Likewise, the Federation has demanded at least 30 per cent priority for domestic Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise products in public procurement, a ‘Make in Nepal’ campaign, export facilitation, and government grants to bring in modern technology, informed the Federation President Sobha Gurung.
According to her, the Federation has also proposed special entrepreneurship packages for women and youth returning from foreign employment, the ‘100 Startup – 100 Investors’ programme, and implementing a ‘Fast-Track Industrial Service’ to make government industrial-related services more efficient.
On the same occasion, the Federation provided Rs 555,555 in cash relief to families affected by the August 26 flash floods.
Chairperson Gurung handed over the amount to Acting Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr Wagle. The donation has been deposited into the Prime Minister’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund.
