Kathmandu, May 8: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari has said that it was necessary to establish an international-level sales gallery at the centre to promote the goods produced by the small and cottage industries.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Nepal 17th International Industrial Trade Fair and Cottage Industry Festival organized by the Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) and the Central Women Entrepreneurs Committee at local Bhrikutimandap today, he expressed the commitment of the Ministry to provide the support and assistance for the construction of infrastructure required for the sales gallery.

Minister Bhandari said that small scale, cottage and women-run industries in the country have created a large number of employment opportunities, stating targeted programmes will be introduced in the upcoming budget to promote such industries.

 “Potential cottage and small industries will be exempted from all kinds of taxes for a certain period of time and a special programme for capital, technology and access to such industries will be moved forward to enhance domestic production,” he added.

The Industry Minister shared that there will be no shortage of support from the State for the industrial exhibition organized by the FNCSI every year for promoting the market of industrial products produced by micro, small, cottage and women entrepreneurs at the national and international level.

Noting that the campaign initiated by the Federation for the promotion of national and international market of indigenous goods, establishment of sales room, sale market of indigenous products, use of domestic goods in public bodies are positive, he emphasized that the government will support in its implementation.

Minister Bhandari said, “In order to boost the production and consumption of domestic goods, initiatives will be taken for the speedy implementation of various industry promotion programmes including the Prime Minister’s Domestic Product Production and Consumption Enhancement Programme and various funds.”

Mentioning that concessional loans for women, youth and agricultural entrepreneurs will be made more effective, he said a special package programme with tax exemptions will be brought in the upcoming budget to include women and indigenous nationalities in the economic and industrial sector.

Minister Bhandari also stated that the government will give special priority to make the country’s economy self-reliant by commercializing and industrializing agriculture. (RSS)