KATHMANDU: The government is to launch the ‘Prime Minister Nepali Production and Consumer Promotion Programme’.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has made preparation to launch the program announcing ‘Increase in production: Country’s development and prosperity special campaign decade-2079/89’.

Minister Dilendra Prasad Badu said preparation was underway to bring the ‘Prime Minister Nepali Production and Consumer Promotion Programme’ into implementation in order to make the import-dependent economy an export-oriented economy.

He opined, “We have not been able to expand our country’s industries and create employment opportunities. We cannot stop imports if we do not use our domestic products. So, the country’s economy cannot be improved if we do not adopt a strategy of replacing the imports gradually. The program is going to be introduced with this conclusion.”

Saying the program would be effective to improve the country’s economy, the Industry Ministry stressed the need of forwarding the program as a special campaign.

The “Prime Minister Nepali Production and Consumer Promotion Programme’ has set a goal to increase the contribution of production-oriented sector in gross domestic product up to 15 per cent within 10 years and increase the use of domestic production and reducing import of goods.