Nepal’s Budget to Prioritize IT Sector with New Initiatives, Says PM Dahal

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has announced a significant initiative to establish Nepal as a hub of information technology in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, declaring the next decade as the “Information Technology Decade.”

Speaking at the ‘Digital Nepal Conclave 2024’ organized by the ICT Foundation, Prime Minister Dahal outlined the government’s ambitious goal to export IT-related services worth 300 billion rupees and create 500,000 direct and 1 million indirect jobs over the next ten years. The budget will also focus on providing high-speed, reliable, and affordable internet services, ensuring data security, and protecting intellectual property with stable policies in the IT sector.

Prime Minister Dahal emphasized the revision and implementation of the ‘Digital Nepal Framework’ with institutional arrangements for effective monitoring. He highlighted plans to establish state-of-the-art information technology parks in public-private partnerships, offering free space for ‘work stations’ for three years. The government aims to foster an environment of development and prosperity by prioritizing information and communication technology, enhancing production, productivity growth, and job creation.

Additionally, a historic fund of one billion rupees has been allocated to promote startups and innovation, with incubation programs launched in all seven provinces. Prime Minister Dahal urged youth and entrepreneurs in the IT sector to leverage these government initiatives for economic and social transformation through technology, assuring them of the government’s commitment to addressing policy issues and necessary laws for the sector.