KATHMANDU,

The government has announced that the foreign films which will be shot in Nepal from the year 2023 to 2033 will be given exemption on different taxes and fees. The government on July 24 declared the decade from 2023 to 2033 to be celebrated as the Visit Nepal Decade.

Under the 74 Revival Programs of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, it has been stated to increase the foreign currency reserves along with flourishing culture and tourism.

During an event on Sunday, Tourism Minister Jeevan Ram Shrestha claimed that the initiative will bring positive waves in the tourism industry. In the current fiscal year’s budget, it has been stated to make Nepal an ‘International Film Shooting Destination’.

The foreign films shot in Nepal pay minimum Rs 15,000 to $1500 as per the location. The government takes money in the name of ‘Censor Fees’, rather than ‘Shooting Fees’. Similarly, the filmmakers from SAARC countries have to pay $1500 for shooting in National Parks. For Shooting in upper Mustang and Manang, the fee is set at $5,000. Moreover, metropolitan cities and rural municipalities take separate local governmental taxes.

Earlier, Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah had said to develop Kathmandu as a ‘Foreign Films Shooting Destination’.