KATHMANDU, Dec 30: Minister for Information and Communications Gokul Baskota has claimed that the much awaited Digital Nepal framework will be completed within a month.

He was speaking at the 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of CAN Federation in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Baskota said: "The much anticipated digital framework that will feature a 5-year plan to develop ICT sector will be completed within this month."

Baskota also announced that the ministry was working to scrap 165 laws regarding the ICT sector. Earlier, 174 such laws were being planned to be revised and updated.

He asked private entities like CAN Federation to minimize digital divide in the country, and address the issue of phone addiction among youths. He also asked the private sector to actively play a part in economic growth through ICT development.

Speaking at the event, Binod Kumar Sharma, founding member of CAN Federation, thanked the efforts of the federation to help develop ICT sector in Nepal. He raised concerns about the severe lack of manpower required to further propel ICT growth in the country, especially in the rural areas.

Similarly, Umesh Lal Shah, vice president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), stated that there was severe lack of manpower to develop ICT sector in Nepal and pressed the government to address the issue.

Speaking on the occasion, Deepak Malotra, vice president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, urged the government to remove 30 percent import tax on HDMI-port monitors. He also pushed for the implementation of IMEI number lock mechanism to reduce back-marketing in the electronics market.

Malhotra also strongly urged the government to step back on imposition of 5 percent excise duty on imported mobiles, stating that this has been helping boost black-market sales.The CAN Federation also awarded three of its district branches -- Chitwan, Banke, and Sunsari -- for their outstanding work.

 
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