Kathmandu: Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to developing the information technology (IT) sector as a primary investment area.

Speaking at an interaction program titled "Information Technology-Based Entrepreneurship for Nepal: A New Path for Economic Prosperity", organized by the CPN (UML) Department of Science and Technology, he stated that the government is actively working to enhance good governance through IT.

Minister Bhandari emphasized that Nepal is set to graduate to a developing country by 2026, making it crucial to increase investment in IT to facilitate economic growth. He highlighted that the government is moving forward with automation systems to simplify business registration processes."We have initiated an online system that allows businesses to register their companies from home. Furthermore, industries can be registered automatically as soon as the company office is registered," he said.He reiterated the government’s focus on enhancing governance in service delivery and underlined the importance of capital and technology for development.

According to him, technological integration is essential for Nepal’s progress, and policies are being formulated to promote industries and entrepreneurship through IT.The Minister also noted that reforms in industry-related laws are underway to boost investments, encourage technology adoption, and facilitate industrial growth. He suggested that waiving taxes on IT-related businesses could further accelerate the sector's expansion.

Meanwhile, Sunaina Pandey, President of the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), stressed the need for government support in resolving legal issues surrounding IT-related regulations to ensure a smoother investment environment.