Minister Ghising calls for promotion of local products in construction

LALITPUR: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Kulman Ghising, has stressed the importance of promoting the use of local products across Nepal.

Speaking at the launch of the ‘Bamboo Structures Design Guidelines 2082’, organized by Habitat for Humanity Nepal under the slogan ‘Bamboo Housing for the Future’, Ghising said encouraging the use of local production and technology will create employment opportunities. He added that commercial bamboo cultivation can meet domestic demand and help conserve foreign currency spent on construction.

“The use of local technology in construction will preserve our originality while fostering economic benefits,” he stated. Ghising, who also serves as Minister for Urban Development, noted that relying on imported timber and construction materials has negatively affected the economy. He emphasized the importance of using bamboo and other local materials to build durable, earthquake-resistant, and technology-friendly structures.

Gopal Prasad Sigdel, Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development, affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting local products. Meanwhile, Rabindra Bohara, Director General of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, highlighted the Department’s efforts to prepare and implement policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures for climate-friendly and earthquake-resistant construction suited to the local context.