Industries vital for economic development: Minister Bhandari

By Our Correspondent,Nepalgunj, Feb. 23: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari has said that the government is giving priority to operate more industries in the country for economic development.

Speaking at an interaction programme organised by Kohalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry with local businessmen in Banke district, Minister Bhandari said that the plan was to become self-sufficient and discourage import.

Minister Bhandari also informed that political instability was a major reason behind the inability to develop industrial sector of the country.

"We have directed concerned bodies to complete the construction or repair of different projects, and to start the operation of as many industries as possible," he added.

Minister Bhandari also pointed out that once the construction of Naubasta Industrial Park in Baijanath of Banke was completed, it would help fulfil several demands of the industries operating in Lumbini, Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces. 

"The number of employments will also increase," added Bhandari.

He also stressed that the crisis faced by the overall business and industrial sector was a result of the deeds of large companies, not the government. "Government banks haven't charged exorbitant interest rate. It is being charged by private commercial banks operated by industrialists and businessmen themselves," said Minister Bhandari.

Nevertheless, Minister Bhandari said that the government was trying to find solutions to the problem as small and medium-scale businesses had been suffering a lot.

"Since the industrial estates and villages aren’t constructed on time, the budget allocated for development goes unspent. The inability to spend development budget leads a country towards economic crisis," said Minister Bhandari.