Economic sector sees discernible progress

Kathmandu, July 14: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, said the government's first year went productively. 

Talking to RSS on the occasion of the completion of a year after assuming the ministerial berth, Paudel claimed the formative period of the government went well from economic, social, cultural and educational fronts. 

"The incumbent government has made a sea change in policy to create an investment-friendly environment. Reform in the legal framework has also gained momentum", he noted. 

The government has introduced the Economic Procedure and Financial Responsibility (First Amendment) Act, 2081, Act to Amend Some Nepalese Laws related to improving the economic and business environment and enhancing investment, the Privatization (First Amendment) Act 2081, the Customs Revenue Act 2081, the Banking Crimes and Punishment Act 2082, and the Customs Act 2081. 

Similarly, the government has come up with the Appropriation Act 2082, the Act to Raise National Debt 2082, the Finance Act 2082, the Alternative Development Finance Operational Bill 2081 (presented in the House of Representatives), the Internal Revenue Operational Strategy 2081, standards for making public expenditure economic and effective 2081, and the Foreign Aid Operational Policy 2082. 

However, there are challenges for the economy, such as revenue collection against targets, increasing capital expenditure, and exiting from the grey list, the DPM added. 

The Ministry of Finance has formed a high-level economic reforms recommendation commission and made the commission's report implementable, he explained. 

Minister Paudel shared an increasing trend of hearing grievances and demands from the private sector. 

In regard to the economic growth rate, the previous year's liability of over 30 billion rupees has been paid off, and the payment issue has been resolved, he mentioned. 

In the current fiscal year, a projection of 4.61 per cent has been made, while last year it was 3.87 per cent, the finance minister shared. 

The multi-year contract process has been organised and execution friendly, he said, adding the size of the economy has increased by four trillion. 

"Revenue growth has reached.  (RSS)