“Holding a free and fair election is our main target. But we will arrange sufficient budget for the implementation of national pride projects and regular expenses of urgent nature,” Koirala told an interaction organized by Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON) on Sunday.[break]
Koirala also said the government will allocate around Rs 10 billion, including Rs 2 billion for security purposes, for the proposed general election. “Holding general election, promoting good governance and accelerating economic activities in the country are among the top priority programs of the government,” he added.
At a time when trade deficit is increasing alarmingly due to slow export growth, Koirala stressed the need to transform import-based economy into industry-based. “It´s high time we took the initiative to bring down widening trade deficit by adopting industry-based economy and thus enhancing our supply capacity,” Koirala, who also looks after Commerce and Supplies, and Industry portfolios, said.
He also indicated that the government would increase cash incentive for exporters through the budget for the next fiscal year. The government has been offering cash incentive of as much as 2-4 percent of the total export volume to exporters depending on the degree of value addition in the exported products.
Koirala also said the government had already initiated the process of formulating budget to boost capital expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year.
At a time when labor unrest is deterring investors from putting their money in Nepal, Koirala said the government was seriously about creating environment conducive for investment. “We have to lure foreign and domestic investments to boost economic activities,” he added.
He also said minimizing corruption under his ministries is also among his top priorities. “I have zero tolerance policy when it comes to corruption,” he added.
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