Prime Minister Balendra Shah has expressed commitment that the government will provide necessary policy and institutional facilitation to promote the domestic footwear industry, replace imports, create jobs, and boost exports.
He made the pledge during a discussion held with office-bearers and members of the Footwear Manufacturers Association of Nepal (FMAN) at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Friday.
PM Shah said that skill-based training related to footwear manufacturing will be conducted in coordination among all three tiers of government. He also said that the private sector will be encouraged for branding, marketing, and promotion of Nepali footwear.
He said that tracking and record management of raw-material imports will me made more effective in line with the industry’s production capacity, and that special emphasis will be placed on the use, promotion, and market expansion of domestic products.
During the discussion, FMAN office-bearers and members urged the government to control illegal smuggling through various border points with India, bring international and domestic brands operating outside the tax and VAT net under the legal framework, control the import of low-quality and cheap footwear, and make quality testing mandatory for imported footwear.
They also expressed confidence that the domestic footwear industry could operate at full capacity if the government provided the necessary policy support, market protection, and industry-friendly arrangements.
Participants in the discussion included FMAN President Suraj Banjade, outgoing president Rudra Neupane, General Secretary Nirmal Bhattarai, advisor Kalidas Gautam, and member and House of Representatives lawmaker Bidushi Rana, among others.
