Government will facilitate in marketing of farmers’ produce: Minister Bhandari

KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari has said that the government will market the goods produced by farmers purchasing them through the Food Management and Trading Company Limited.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the three-day Himalayan International Expo at local Bhrikutimandap today, he announced that the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies will soon prepare a work procedure and initiate the purchasing process of the farmers’ productions.

The Expo is organized with the goal of promoting the handicraft goods around the theme of ‘Handicraft Made in Nepal, Make in Nepal.’

“The government has made preparation for marketing of the food and other agri-products of farmers in order to motivate them. At present also the Food Management and Trading Company Limited has been buying the agri-produce like beans and the Marsi variety rice from Karnali and marketing them. Now, the Company will purchase the produce and goods that could not be sold in other places in order to encourage the farmers from the mountainous and hilly districts,” he said.

Minister Bhandari expressed the belief that exhibitions such as this one will play a significant role towards promoting the export of Nepali products thereby contributing to achieving economic prosperity. He said the Expo has created an opportunity for trade and investment both for the small and medium entrepreneurs associated to handicraft business.

The Industry, Commerce and Supplies Minister stressed on consuming Nepal-made products. “The Ministry is preparing a work procedure on the use of domestic products as part of its campaign of making the use and consumption of domestic products compulsory. As per the work procedure, the campaign will be started from the government bodies in the first phase and it will be gradually expanded nation-wide. The work procedure is in the final stages of preparation,” he added.

On the occasion, Minister Bhandari also pointed out the need of an international standard exhibition ground, asserting that the government is ready to construct such an exhibition facility in collaboration with the private sector. He also said the government is taking initiative to re-operate the sick and closed industries in partnership with the private sector.

Lawmakers Gyanendra Bahadur Shahi and Ganesh Parajuli, and member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Dr Ram Sharan Thapaliya, among the speakers, underscored on the need of promoting the use and consumption of domestic products.

They called for the reoperation of the closed industries and stopping the exodus of youths for foreign employment.