National Budget FY 080/81: 2023-2033 to be marked as Tourism Decade

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, MAY 29In a parliamentary session on Monday, Finance Minister Dr
Prakash Sharan Mahat unveiled the budget for the forthcoming fiscal year 2080/81. The announcement took place during a joint session of the
National Assembly and House of Representatives in the federal parliament. Addressing the joint session of the federal parliament this
evening, Finance Minister Mahat stated that recognizing the importance of tourism, the government has declared the years 2023-2033 as the
Tourism Decade, with a focus on promoting Nepal as a prime tourist destination
Additionally, legislation will be enacted to facilitate the sale of Nepali goods and services through e-commerce platforms. In a bid to
revitalize the tourism industry and unleash its potential as a key driver of economic growth, Nepal's budget for the fiscal year 2080-81
includes ambitious targets to attract more tourists and boost the sector's contribution to the national economy.
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The government aims to increase tourist spending from the existing $48 to $125, creating a significant impact on
the local economy
To achieve this, the budget outlines plans to create one million direct jobs in the tourism sector, providing employment opportunities for
the local population.Additionally, the goal is to elevate the tourism sector's contribution to the national GDP to 10 percent, highlighting
its significance as a major revenue generator
With a determined focus on recovery, the government aims to bring tourist numbers back to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, demonstrating its
commitment to restoring Nepal's position as a top tourist destination.These measures reflect the government's strategic vision to harness
the full potential of the tourism sector and leverage it as a catalyst for inclusive growth and sustainable development.#13;The
constitutional requirement obliges the government to reveal the budget on Jestha 15 each year. Earlier, on Jestha 05, President Ram Chandra
Paudel, the incumbent at the time, had presented the ruling coalition government's policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year
Typically, the government formulates the budget based on its outlined policies and programs, serving as a blueprint for its planned course
of action.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com