'Service industry holds growth potential'

CHITWAN, Jan 12: Chief Secretary Lilamani Paudel said on Saturday that Chitwan´s service industry held huge growth potential.



He made the comment while speaking at the final day of ´Invest Mid-Nepal´ conference, held on the sidelines of Chitwan Festival, one of the country´s largest trade fairs.[break]



"The country so far has not been able to reap much benefit from agriculture and industry sectors. Investors should now focus on service industry," he said.



Paudel also said Chitwan´s diversity was its asset and it should utilize it properly. "The government is ready to extend every support in this regard," he told the conference, suggesting greater investment in the medical sector.



Former finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, meanwhile, stressed on the need to create a knowledge-based society.



"Countries without any resource have done great by relying on a knowledge-based society," he said.



He also said Nepal has so far failed to promote its rich geographical diversity in the world. "Promoting Devghat region, for instance, can be beneficial and contribute to religious tourism," said he.



Pradeep Jung Pandey, vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said demand for coffee and Pashmina of mid-Nepal was huge in the international market.



Shreedhar Gautam, representative of the Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA), said NRNs, along with foreigners, were positive about investing in Nepal.



Presenting a paper, Dr Bal Krishna Thapa of Chitwan Neuro Centre stressed on the need to open a medical university in Chitwan.



Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar, senior vice-president of the FNCCI, said proposals on hydropower, tourism and fast track development gathered during the three-day conference would be presented to the Investment Board and the government. "Funds would then be sought to begin construction of these projects," he said. He also said out of 15 proposed projects, six required large investment.



NRNA President Jiba Lamichhane said representatives from China and Japan were positive about investing in projects requiring funds of over Rs 50 million.

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