Prime Minister Urges Swift Action for Youth-Oriented Startups

In a high-level meeting at Singha Durbar on Thursday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ issued a directive emphasizing the paramount importance of promoting startup businesses catering to the youth demographic. The Prime Minister urged the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supply to accord top priority to these ventures, highlighting their potential to drive economic growth and innovation in Nepal.

During the discussion, Industry, Commerce, and Supply Minister Ramesh Rijal raised concerns about insufficient funding allocated for industry and commerce promotion, hindering the implementation of scheduled programs. Minister Rijal called for a comprehensive solution from the government to overcome this challenge and facilitate the growth of the business sector.

Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, Dr. Baikuntha Aryal, emphasized the need for an action plan based on the initiatives outlined in the Prime Minister’s national address. He stated that future evaluations would focus on ministerial performance figures and urged secretaries to prioritize work in declared industrial zones.

Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supply, presented an overview of the ministry’s status, progress, challenges, and upcoming programs. Secretary Duwadi underscored the necessity of consistency between policies, plans, programs, and budgets. He highlighted various issues, including ineffective inter-agency coordination, policy and program integration, and the focus on entrepreneurship, small household and small industries, industrial and business infrastructure development, employee capacity building, and innovation-oriented programs.

Secretary Duwadi concluded by urging active lobbying for the promotion of Nepal’s industry and commerce in bilateral and multilateral forums. The Prime Minister’s directive signals a concerted effort by the government to propel the growth of youth-oriented startups and foster a thriving business environment in the country.