Finance Minister Barshaman Pun Prioritizes IT Infrastructure and Policy Facilitation for Economic Prosperity
Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has emphasized that the development of IT-related infrastructure and policy facilitation are top priorities for the government. Speaking at the "IT Decade: A Way Forward" program organized by SEJON Nepal, the Finance Minister affirmed the government's recognition of IT as a critical driver for achieving economic prosperity.
Minister Pun highlighted that the upcoming fiscal year's budget prioritizes IT development, alongside agriculture, hydropower, and tourism. He reminded the audience that the budget for fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25) has declared an "Investment Decade" for IT sector development. The budget aims to escalate the digital economy and lay the foundation for a green economy.
Referring to the budget specifics, Minister Pun outlined the government's plan to position Nepal as an IT hub, aiming to export IT services worth Rs 3,000 billion. The initiative is projected to create 500,000 direct jobs and one million indirect employment opportunities over the next decade. The budget also focuses on establishing a legal framework for IT innovations and enhancing and regulating artificial intelligence.
Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, underscored the need for collaboration among all three tiers of government to promote IT development. She described the declaration of an investment decade for the IT sector as historic but cautioned about the potential for irregularities in this relatively unfamiliar sector. Minister Sharma acknowledged that the Digital Nepal Framework, intended to integrate IT development with civic service delivery, has not been effectively implemented.
Joint Secretary of the Finance Ministry, Dhaniram Sharma, stated that the plan to supply IT services worth Rs 3,000 billion in the next decade is based on expert assessments and current conditions, despite the absence of a formal feasibility study.
Dr. Amrita Sharma, an IT skills and employment expert from the Institute of Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), advised the government to undertake planned efforts to promote the IT sector over the next decade. She highlighted the high potential for Nepal to explore the European IT market and recommended leveraging Nepal's ability to provide IT services at more competitive costs compared to other South Asian nations.
