National budget this year prioritizes tourism!!! The Ministry of Finance (MoF) unveiled Nepal’s budget for the fiscal year 2013/14. Finance Minister Shankar Prasad Koirala presented a budget of Rs 517.24 billion putting emphasis on accelerating the development primarily the energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and more importantly giving emphasis to the tourism sector. The travel and tourism sector in Nepal has been contributing nearly 4 percent of the total GDP (Rs 67.2 billion). Unveiling the national budget, Finance Minister Koirala said that the focus of the budget also has laid on completing the ongoing ‘National Pride Projects’ which are related to the energy, road, railway, irrigation, drinking water and tourism sectors. In order Nepal to extend as an attractive and safe tourism destination. Identifying that poor air-connectivity raised hurdle in the tourism, the government this year has allocated the budget amounting Rs 1.81 billion has been made primarily for the feasibility study, construction, upgrading, and land acquisition of the airports.The allocated amount will be used for constructing and upgrading of the airports namely in Tikapur, Dolpa, Rukum, Illam, Lamidanda and Bhojpur. Similarly, Rara, Simikot and Lukla airports will be equipped. The task of construction of terminal building and tower of Janakpur airport will be continued. In order to enhance flight safety at Tribhuvan International Airport, New Radar including other modern system will be installed and emphasis will be given to enhance its capacity. I have arranged budget to upgrade Biratnagar, Janakpur, Nepalgunj and Surkhet airports as hub airports Likese, the green and environment friendly tourism will be promoted by the development of touristic walk way and green area including infrastructure construction, towards this end, the government also has allocated the budget worth Rs. 630 million. Under the promotional activities, the government also has planed to explore, protect and promote the historical, religious and archeological heritages as well as arts, culture, skills and materials which depict the identity of various castes/tribes and their languages. Towards this end as well as for strengthening Cultural Academy and Museums, the government has allocated Rs. 430 million. The government also plans to prepare the district-wise profile and develop the intangible cultural heritage in order to promote the cultural tourism. Acknowledging the importance of diversities, the government is planning to take the policy for the protection, preservation, and promotion of language, literature, arts, and culture of caste/ethnic groups so far identified in Nepal. Towards this end, the government has allocated Rs. 10 million.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 08:00:01 +0000
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