Budget should support income generation: CNI

 Budget of Fiscal Year 2026/27

 

Kathmandu, May 10

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) urged the government to adopt policies that treat the private sector as an engine of development and promote industrial and investment growth.

Submitting its recommendations for the upcoming budget of fiscal year 2026/26 to Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle at his office on Sunday, it said that the budget should support income generation and wealth creation.

The CNI urged the government to prioritise industry through policy reforms and ensure policy stability for at least 10 years. It also recommended implementing an industrial development strategy focused on products with competitive potential and introducing a budget centred on employment, production and import substitution.

It further suggested maintaining at least a two-tier customs duty difference between raw materials and finished goods, introducing a net settlement system for refunds or adjustments of customs duties and other refundable amounts on industrial raw materials, and promoting domestic production through tax exemptions on imported raw materials for industries using at least 40 per cent domestic raw materials.

The confederation has submitted sector-specific budget recommendations relating to industry and investment, foreign direct investment, tax policy and systems, customs, tourism, agriculture, herbs and forest products, energy and information technology, infrastructure, fiscal governance, finance and promotion of domestic production.

Similarly, CNI called for making the tax system simpler, integrated and limited in type, while clarifying VAT, income tax and excise duty provisions through explanatory notes. It also proposed reducing income tax rates and increasing the minimum threshold for personal income tax for individuals to Rs. 1 million.

The private sector business body suggested implementing a risk-based audit system, digitising tax administration, and introducing mechanisms for tax dispute resolution and advance rulings.

It further proposed upgrading testing, certification and laboratories to international standards and initiating negotiations with India for mutual recognition of certification systems and standards such as NS and ISI.

"Priority should be given to domestic products in public procurement, a digital portal should be introduced for identifying and procuring domestic products, policies for the sustainable use of natural resources should be simplified, and subsidy systems based on production, employment and exports should be implemented," read the statement.

CNI additionally suggested repealing the Foreign Investment Restriction Act, 2021, which prohibits overseas investment, and introducing clear provisions governing approval procedures and regulation for investments abroad.

"We recommended adopting policies to attract private-sector participation in large infrastructure projects and removing land ceiling restrictions for land required under approved industrial projects," said CNI.

Presenting the recommendations, CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey expressed confidence that addressing and implementing the recommendations put forward for the upcoming budget would significantly improve economic expansion, employment generation and investment growth, thereby contributing meaningfully to the country’s prosperity.

Responding to the recommendations, Finance Minister Dr. Wagle said private-sector capital is essential for development. He said that legal reforms and improvements to the tax system are necessary and emphasised the importance of recognising wealth creation. He added that private investment should be encouraged in infrastructure development.

The meeting was attended by former CNI President Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, former presidents Hari Bhakta Sharma and Vishnu Kumar Agrawal, Senior Vice-President Nirvana Chaudhary, Vice-Presidents Hem Raj Dhakal, Bhim Ghimire and Gokul Bhandari, and other office bearers.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 May 2026.           

Govt launches policy collection portal

Kathmandu, May 9

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has launched a ‘Suggestion Collection Portal’ to ensure the direct participation of citizens in the process of formulating the policies, programmes and budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The digital platform has been introduced with the objective of making governance more transparent and people-oriented by incorporating the genuine needs and fundamental expectations of the public into the policies and programmes that are set to be unveiled next Monday.

Through this portal, all Nepali citizens residing in Nepal and abroad, as well as subject experts and policymakers, will be able to submit their valuable opinions and suggestions directly to the government regarding budget formulation and development priorities, informed the Finance Ministry in a statement.

"The initiative has been launched in line with the Prime Minister’s broader plan to ensure that the policy-making process is not confined solely to administrative circles, but also values the sentiments and expertise of the general public," read the statement.

The Prime Minister's Office stated that the portal would help bridge the gap between citizens and the state, establish a new practice of good governance, and ensure that the suggestions received are seriously reviewed at the administrative level and implemented through policy measures.

The system also includes a special ‘suggestion tracking’ feature, enabling citizens to monitor the status of their submissions and the actions taken by the government in response.

Meanwhile, the government has made a public appeal to all Nepalis to actively participate in this important digital initiative and contribute constructively to the national campaign of building a “Prosperous Nepal”.

Citizens will be able to use the portal through the official website of the OPMCM to send their opinions and suggestions directly to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
Within a few hours of the launching of the portal, more than 1000 suggestions have been submitted to it. The suggestions are broadly categorised into two – Budget and Policy.

Likewise, the suggestions are received in the areas of intergovernmental coordination, finance, industry and commerce, public finance management, infrastructure development, education, health and science, forest management, land administration, social security, citizen service, good governance, law and justice, civil servant administration, and others. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 May 2026.           

A Master's degree course launched with classes in mountains, hills, Tarai

Kathmandu, May 9

Nepal Communiversity, in partnership with Kathmandu University (KU), has launched a Master’s in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSIE) programme aimed at integrating community-based learning into higher education.

The programme was officially launched at a programme attended by educators, entrepreneurs, media representatives, students and corporate professionals in Lalitpur on Friday.

The MSIE programme is scheduled to begin in October 2026 with an intake of 30 students from interdisciplinary academic backgrounds.

According to the organisers, the course is based on 'community-as-curriculum' and experiential learning models, under which students will engage directly with communities across Nepal’s Himalayan, hilly and Tarai regions.

The curriculum has been divided into three trimesters to be conducted in Mustang, Chitlang and Janakpur, followed by a final capstone semester in Kathmandu. During each trimester, students will participate in community-based projects in coordination with local residents. The programme combines entrepreneurship, social sciences and technology with a focus on wellbeing and community engagement.

Speaking at the launch event, President of Nepal Communiversity Narottam Aryal said the programme aims to develop education that is locally grounded while remaining globally relevant. "The institution seeks to prepare individuals who understand their communities, develop practical skills and adopt entrepreneurial approaches," he said.

Dr. Uttam Babu Shrestha, Founding Director of the Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (GIIS), said the programme places emphasis on communities, nature and villages at a time when societies are increasingly shaped by technology and urbanisation. He urged students to balance entrepreneurship with ethical responsibility.

Dean of the Kathmandu University School of Arts, Prof. Dr. Uddab Pyakurel, said the collaboration would help students identify opportunities within Nepal and address practical challenges through community-oriented solutions.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 May 2026.           

Paragliding Premier League kicks off in Dharan

Kathmandu, May 9

The Paragliding and Hang-Gliding Association have launched an international Paragliding Premier League in Dharan. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has supported the event.

The competition features five categories: international open, men’s and women’s divisions, as well as national men’s and women’s divisions. Athletes who won medals at the 18th Asian Games are also participating in the competition, the NTB informed in a statement.

The inaugural edition of the League was jointly inaugurated by Chief Minister of Koshi Hikmat Kumar Karki, Acting Chief Executive of the Nepal Tourism Board Hikmat Singh Air, and former Deputy Mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Manju Bhandari.

 According to league coordinator Bhopal Chyamalung, the event, being held at the paragliding take-off site in Chhoti Morang, Dharan-4, has attracted the participation of 32 athletes from Nepal, India and Bangladesh. The League will run till Monday.

Chief Minister Karki said that Koshi Province holds immense potential for adventure tourism. “Sports such as paragliding and mountaineering will make a significant contribution to the development of adventure sports tourism,” he said while adding that the government aims to develop Dharan and its surrounding areas as a hub for paragliding and hang gliding.

CM Karki further said that preparations are underway to organise international sporting events in more than ten disciplines, including paragliding, by linking them with Tourism Year and Visit Year programmes from the next fiscal year 2026/27 onward.

Similarly, Air said that such adventure sports activities would make a significant contribution to tourism in Koshi Province. “Through paragliding, visitors can enjoy views of Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Makalu and Lhotse, which I believe will make it a preferred attraction for tourists. I also express the commitment of the NTB to play a role in organising international-level paragliding competitions for its promotion,” he said.

According to Bhandari, a suitable take-off point for paragliding had been identified in the Chhoti Morang area. Following a technical study, the then executive body designated the area as an official take-off and landing site.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 May 2026.           

Youths call to increase women's representation to 50%

Kathmandu, May 9

A call has been made for the government to increase women’s representation to 50 per cent.

Speaking at an interaction programme on “Future Strategic Priorities for Promoting Gender Equality and Ending Gender-Based Violence”, organised by Sancharika Samuha Nepal with support from the United Nations Population Fund in Kathmandu on Friday, youth leaders urged the government to set a global example by increasing women’s representation.

Bandana Rana, a member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, said that Nepal’s Gen-Z movement has drawn global attention. “In other countries, Gen-Z movements failed. But in Nepal, it not only succeeded, but it also overthrew the government and assumed leadership itself. Such strong leadership should increase women’s representation from 33 per cent to 50 per cent,” she said.

Rana emphasised that at a time when violence against women has shifted into digital spaces, journalists, lawyers and civil society must play a key role in regulating social media.

Likewise, Advocate Sabin Shrestha, Chairperson of the Forum for Women, Law and Development, stated that gender-based violence discussions must place greater emphasis on sexual and reproductive health issues.

He said that women are often used by the state whenever there is a need to increase or reduce the population.

“How many children a woman chooses to have should be her own decision. But it appears that the government itself imposes various policies and regulations on women depending on whether population growth is desired or not. The state itself is committing violence against women,” said Shrestha.

According to data from the Nepal Police, 91 per cent of violence is committed by people known to the victim. Based on overall incidents of violence in Nepal, 29 per cent are cases of gender-based violence.

Shrestha also informed that surrogacy is still being carried out secretly in Nepal, which, he argued, represents interference by others in women’s reproductive rights. Likewise, he called for addressing legal complexities surrounding live-in relationships, stating that women in such relationships are often subjected to severe exploitation.

Similarly, senior advocate Mira Dhungana complained that although Nepal has enacted many laws for women, victims still lack access to justice. She said that because of the complexity of the law, many women cannot even approach the courts. Victims are often unable even to file complaints with the police. Even in serious crimes, women are forced into reconciliation. All of this stems from a lack of legal literacy.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 May 2026.           

Task Force suggests creating 'digital profiles' of Nepalis workers abroad

Kathmandu, May 8

The Inter-Ministerial High Level Task Force has suggested the government to immediately create the 'digital profiles' and geolocation mapping data of Nepali workers residing in conflict-affecting or high-risk areas.

"Analyse risk levels and remain prepared for the ‘safe relocation’ and, where necessary, repatriation of Nepalis from affected areas. Establish 24-hour ‘emergency hotlines' and dedicated help desks at relevant Nepali embassies," the Task Force suggested in its report submitted to the government.

The government had formed the Task Force was formed, as per its 100-day agenda on governance reforms, on March 31 under the coordination of Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal. It had 10 members including secretaries from the ministries of Foreing Affairs, Labour, Finance, Industry, Energy and Tourism.

Its mandate was to study the impact of international and regional crises, especially in the West Asian nations, on Nepali migrant workers and economy and to prepare necessary policy and strategy to address the existing and emerging challenges. 

The 100-day agenda on governance reform of the government required to form such task

Earlier, the government had also formed an Emergency Rsponse Team on March 3, led by Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, to respond to the immediate needs of the Nepali workers in crisis.

According to the MoFA, there are 1.72 million Nepali migrant workers in 13 countries in the region whose safety has troubled the government here.

Nepalis in Iran, Israel, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon, Iraq and Cyprus were or likely to be affected by the Israel-Iran war that has affected about half a dozen countries in West Asia. Cyprus is a European country while Egypt is in northern Africa.

The largest number of Nepalis are in the UAE with a presence of 478,144, followed by Saudi Arabia at 383,865, Qatar at 357,000, Kuwait at 175,000, and Iraq at 30,000. There are only six Nepali citizens in Iran and 500 in Egypt.

Two months ago, the MoFA said that the government was facing confusion in absence of established mechanism for rescue and repatriation of Nepalis from West Asia.

Meanwhile, the tensions at the Strait of Hormuz has pushed the price of petroleum products rapidly up which also caused the increase in transportation.

 

Short- and long-term policy suggestions

The summary of the report is made public by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) at a press briefing on Friday. It recommended the government to define short-term actions within 3–6 months, medium-term actions within 6 months to 2 years, and long-term actions within 2–5 years for better management of foreign employment.

According to the Task Force, the government should conduct skill mapping of the returnee migrants and launch skill-employment matching programmes to absorb returning skilled manpower into domestic industries. Skills acquired abroad should undergo immediate fast-track testing and certification through the National Skill Testing Board, read the report.

The report also suggested to operate programmes such as ‘cash-for-work’ to address immediate livelihood crises, and to provide entrepreneurship training and seed capital or machinery grants for those wishing to become self-employed.

Ram Kaji Khadka, Joint Secretary and Head of the Central Asia, West Asia and Africa Division at the MoFA, said that the current crisis in the region had increased the security concerns, expenses of Nepali workers as well as tourists while foreign investment and number of tourists has gone down significantly affecting the local and national economy.

"This could result in Nepali migrant workers psychological wellbeing as well as economic pressures back home. Many families could fall into a debt trap if the crisis sustained and Nepali workers are forced to return home," he said.

 

Creating reintegration fund at local level

As the medium-term policy, the Task Force maintained that the local level must mandatorily arrange a 'reintegration fund' in their annual plans. The government should run programmes to provide concessional loans without collateral to returnee workers to start business, support seed money to establish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups based on innovative ideas.

Similarly, providing high-level vocational training to returnee workers according to the current demand sectors such as tourism IT and construction, encouraging commercial farming, and establishing mentorship and networks for aspiring entrepreneurs are also suggested.

Other policy proposals are mobilising cooperatives to pool the small capital of returnee workers and operating collective investment projects, arranging local branding, constructing returnee market hub in local bodies, and launching digital skill bank to facilitate direct contact between workers and employers.

 

Substituting petroleum products, a priority

It is important to ensure at least three months’ supply by fully utilising the strategic storage capacity for petroleum products and raw materials. The Task Force suggested strengthening the ‘Price Stabilisation Fund’ while also implementing a policy of blending ethanol into petrol to reduce dependence on imported fuel, immediately. Promotion of electric vehicles, and work from home policy could also be the options.

Promoting the use of electric stoves, reducing reliance on the LPG, increasing domestic electricity consumption, and introducing emergency concessional tariffs during cooking hours are also recommended. Other suggestions include coordinating with airlines to keep airfares affordable, providing emergency tax relief on aviation turbine fuel (ATF), and providing 100 per cent waiver on landing and parking fees for new airlines operating the international airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara.

"Strongly communicate through international media that Nepal is safe and open. Introduce special concessions and destination packages for domestic tourists. Further simplify the online visa system," it said.

In the medium term, the Task Force recommended to diversify the energy sources, reduce subsidies on LPG, enhance cross-border trade of electricity, provide concessional loans to convert coal or petroleum based industrial furnace and boilers to electric systems and establish battery swapping stations and large charging hubs.

 

Envoys to be appointed via regular route

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of MoFA, Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri said that the appointing ambassadors through competitive approach is not the policy of the government. "The information being circulating on social media is not true," he said while adding that the MoFA is going to follow the established and regular process to appoint the envoys.

He reiterated that the government is trying to resolve the 'Lipulek Issue' through dialogue with India and China on the basis of historical evidences. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 May 2026.           

Gita Pariwar to organise 'Geeta Maitri Milan'

Kathmandu, May 8

Geeta Pariwar is set to organise the 'Geeta Maitri Milan Programme 2083' in Nepal.

The Pariwar has been facilitating the study, meditation, and practice of the Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta for over 1.4 million seekers and beneficiaries in 14 languages globally.

The event will take place on May 10 Sundayat the Nepal Academy assembly hall in Kathmandu with the slogal 'Rad Geeta, Teach Geeeta, and Apply it in Life'.

To ensure the programme's success, various committees and sub-committees have been formed and mobilised under the chairmanship of the founder and patron of Geeta Pariwar Nepal, Jai Kishan Sharda, alongside the organisation's President, Sarika Agrawal, and Secretary, Ram Prasad Adhikari.

The organisers said at a press conference organised in Kathmandu on Friday that the upcoming programme, centred on spiritual and ethical awakening, is expected to expand Geeta consciousness across Nepal.

"This campaign, which aims to bring the eternal knowledge of the Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta to the masses through modern and simple mediums, is spreading worldwide. Geeta Pariwar Nepal, founded five years ago, currently has over 15,000 volunteers directly involved," said Geeta Pariwar.

Although physical attendance is limited to approximately 1,500 people due to the hall's capacity, the organisers have made arrangements for others to view the event live via online platforms, including YouTube and Zoom.

The programme will be attended by the founder of Geeta Pariwar, Swami Shri Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, who is also the treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Likewise, Dr. Ashu Ji Goyal (International Executive Chairman – Geeta Pariwar and Programme Coordinator – Learn Geeta), along with high-ranking officials and seekers of Geeta Pariwar, will be in attendance.

According to the organisers, the primary goal of the campaign is to spread Geeta consciousness to every village, settlement, and town, despite Nepal's geographical complexities and technical challenges.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 May 2026.