Government to facilitate in marketing of farmers' produce: Minister Bhandari

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 3 : Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, announced that the government will facilitate the marketing of goods produced by farmers by purchasing them through the Food Management and Trading Company Limited.

Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day Himalayan International Expo at Bhrikutimandap, he stated that the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies will soon finalize a work procedure and initiate the purchasing process for farmers' products. The Expo is organized to promote handicraft items under the theme "Handicraft Made in Nepal, Make in Nepal."

"The government has prepared a plan to market food and other agricultural products to motivate farmers. The Food Management and Trading Company Limited is currently buying agricultural products like beans and Marsi rice from Karnali and marketing them. The Company will now purchase other unsold goods to support farmers from the mountainous and hilly regions," Minister Bhandari said.

He expressed confidence that such exhibitions will significantly promote Nepali products in international markets, thereby contributing to economic growth. The Expo has created opportunities for trade and investment, particularly for small and medium entrepreneurs engaged in the handicraft business.

Minister Bhandari emphasized the importance of using Nepal-made products, noting, "The Ministry is preparing a work procedure to promote domestic products as part of its campaign to make the use of local goods mandatory. In the first phase, the campaign will start within government bodies and will gradually expand nationwide. The work procedure is in its final stages."

He also highlighted the need for an international-standard exhibition center, stating that the government is prepared to construct such a facility in collaboration with the private sector. Moreover, he mentioned that the government is working on re-operating sick and closed industries in partnership with the private sector.

Lawmakers Gyanendra Bahadur Shahi and Ganesh Parajuli, along with FNCCI member Dr. Ram Sharan Thapaliya, emphasized the need to promote domestic products and the importance of re-operating closed industries. They also stressed the urgency of curbing the outflow of youth seeking employment abroad.