Prime Minister Balen Shah Pledges Government Support for Textile Industry

Kathmandu. Prime Minister Balen Shah has stated that the government is emphasizing the development and promotion of quality readymade garment industries (textile) based on domestically produced raw materials.

While discussing with the officials of the Nepal Readymade Garment Association at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shah committed that the government is ready to provide all kinds of facilitation for the development and expansion of the readymade garment industry.

During the discussion, as per the demands of the association officials, Prime Minister Shah instructed the concerned minister to immediately proceed with the formation of a 'Textile and Clothing Development Council' to be established within the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

The officials expect that the formation of the council will facilitate the promotion of export of readymade garments based on raw materials available in the country and the management of imports.

As per the demands put forth by the officials, Prime Minister Shah further directed the Ministry of Industry to immediately revive the sick readymade garment industries in the private sector.

Similarly, he instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately work on bringing in Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and to open the way for goods including readymade garments that are currently held up in America due to lack of 'testing certification'.

He also pledged to produce the skilled manpower required to achieve the objectives of 'Farm to Fiber', 'Fiber to Fabric', 'Fabric to Fashion', and 'Fashion to Export'.

Regarding the complaint by the representatives that although the Green Garment Village was included in the government's policies and programs, no budget was allocated, Prime Minister Shah urged them to immediately search for land in a suitable location and assured them that the necessary budget would be provided.

Prime Minister Shah also inspired the officials to conduct a re-study of the practice of importing based on exports that occurred in Nepal around the year 2040 BS and to take necessary actions. He emphasized the need to help Nepal graduate from a least developed country to a developing country and stressed that all kinds of problems faced by the readymade garment industry would be addressed.

Furthermore, he stated that the readymade garment industry should be capable of producing the raw materials and other materials required within Nepal itself.

The discussion included the association's Chairman Pashupati Dev Pandey, First Vice Chairman Basanta Raj Adhikari, General Secretary Bhim Kumar Giri, Chief Executive Officer Suyash Khanal, and Technical Advisor Prakash Kumar Jha.