Kathmandu: The Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Damodar Bhandari announced the government’s plan to launch fair-price shops from Ashoj 7 across various locations in the country. During the Zero Hour and Special Time sessions of the esteemed National Assembly, the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies addressed questions and concerns raised by honorable members regarding ministry-related matters. The initiative is designed to ensure the availability of essential goods, including rice and sugar, at subsidized prices ahead of the upcoming festive season.
The minister emphasized that the government has made adequate preparations to prevent shortages and price hikes during the high-demand period. In addition, strategic joint market monitoring will be intensified to curb any artificial price increases, with both routine and surprise inspections in sensitive market areas during the festivals.
The Minister emphasized that the ministry is committed to streamlining services, adopting automated systems, enhancing industrial relations, reducing business costs, boosting production, promoting exports, and reducing the trade deficit. These initiatives align with the principles and policies of the state as outlined in the Constitution of Nepal, the goals of sustainable development, and the 16th National Plan.
The process of establishing consumer courts has been initiated, and market monitoring is being intensified, especially during high-demand periods, to curb unreasonable price hikes. Additionally, a strategic joint market monitoring system, based on information and research, is being implemented, and regular as well as surprise inspections are ongoing in sensitive and high-risk market areas.
To promote local products and indigenous crops, arrangements have been made to purchase these goods in coordination with local governments through the Food Management and Trading Company Limited. Furthermore, standards for the domestic and commercial use of LP gas are being developed and will soon be enforced.
Regarding petroleum supply, the Minister mentioned that the second phase of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline is nearing completion. Storage capacity is being expanded with an additional 13,200 kiloliters of petrol and 5,000 kiloliters of diesel storage at Amlekhgunj, along with a 36,000-kiloliter aviation fuel storage facility being built at Pokhara Airport.
Efforts are also underway to set up rice fortification mills in Thapathali (Bagmati Province), Surkhet (Karnali Province), and Dhangadhi (Sudurpaschim Province). Additionally, a draft of the Supply Management Policy, 2081, is being prepared to address new challenges in supply management and ensure a more efficient, reliable, and automated system.
The Minister also highlighted the approval of the Startup Enterprise Loan Procedure, 2081, aimed at providing concessional loans to encourage entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, skills, and capacity to engage in startup ventures. A budget of NPR 1 billion has been allocated for startup enterprises, and a tripartite agreement between the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute, Rastriya Banijya Bank, and the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund has already been signed to facilitate loan disbursement.
A directive for the use of domestic products in public institutions is also in the process of being approved. The government is working on identifying operational modalities for nine defunct public institutions, including Gorkhakali Rubber Industry, Janakpur Cigarette Factory, Nepal Metal Company, and two struggling cement industries (Hetauda and Udaypur). A task force has been formed to study the condition of non-operational industries in both the public and private sectors.
The Minister concluded by affirming that efforts are being made to create a conducive environment for industrial investment, reduce industrial costs, and develop industrial infrastructure, such as industrial zones, economic zones, and industrial villages. He also provided an update on the ongoing petroleum exploration in Dailekh, where 2,102 meters of drilling have been completed out of a targeted 4,000 meters.
Finally, the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to replacing imports and promoting exports by setting quality standards for industrial products. The Nepal Accreditation Center has been established to ensure the credibility of institutions responsible for certifying products, services, and systems. Provincial profiles, based on major goods and services produced in each province, have been developed to identify import substitutes and export potential.
