Kathmandu: Nepal government has ordered all state offices to prioritise the use of domestic goods and services, according to officials at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Under the direction of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, all government offices have been directed to ensure the full implementation of the provision while remaining within the existing legal framework on public procurement, an official at the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The Council of Ministers issued a circular on Wednesday asking all public bodies, including federal ministries, commissions, secretariats, provincial governments, local levels and Nepali missions abroad, to prioritise Nepali products in their procurement processes.
Spokesperson at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Hemraj Aryal, said the government has launched the initiative to increase the contribution of domestic production to the national economy.
He said the move aims to promote local products by replacing growing imports, protecting local skills and entrepreneurship, and creating jobs within the country.
Aryal said arrangements should be made to use Nepali handicraft items as much as possible during government office meetings and ceremonies, as gifts and as decoration materials.
Similarly, priority should be given to locally made products when purchasing stationery, printing materials, furniture, decor items, construction materials, machinery, tools and equipment, agricultural and animal products, as well as food and beverages.
The ministries should conduct quarterly inspections to ensure the use of domestic products in government entities, according to the notice.
