Kathmandu, February 6: President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has said that cooperation between the government and the private sector is necessary for the development of the information technology sector in Nepal.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 30th edition of the mega information and communication technology exhibition 'Can Infotech', which began at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu today, he said the goal of the IT hub could be achieved only with the cooperation of the government and the private sector.

Mentioning that the IT sector is a global market, capable of exporting services worth trillions of rupees and providing employment to millions of people, Chairman Dhakal urged the government to work for the necessary policy and structural reforms for the further development of the sector.

President Dhakal informed that the FNCCI has been lobbying with the government for timely policy reforms in the field of IT and Startup and Innovation along with various other laws, adding that the amendments made by the Government of Nepal in the subsequent laws for the development of Nepalese IT sector after the initiative of the Federation will contribute significantly to the development of this sector.

"By approving the ordinance to amend the Nepal Act, Nepali IT companies will be able to invest abroad, open branches, do business and bring their income to Nepal, which will enable Nepali IT companies to compete in the international market and increase foreign exchange earnings,” he said.

Can Infotech also said that the latest technology start-up innovations and the talents and innovations developed according to the demand of the local market will help the campaign to build Digital Nepal.

The government has drafted the 'National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2081' for the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nepal, saying that the proposed policy is expected to help build a safe and sustainable AI ecosystem, develop manpower, and promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on a different topic, Chairman Dhakal said that it is difficult to oppose different names when trying to work for something in Nepal. Speaking about the protests in the Pathibhara Cable Car case, he urged the political parties and the general public to keep development above politics and religion.

Inaugurating the CAN Infotech, which will continue until February 10, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung said that the government has a lot of work to do in the information technology sector.

He appreciated the contribution made by the private sector in this field and vowed to work in collaboration with the private sector in the days to come.

Stating that policy reforms are needed to take forward the development of IT as an industry, he said the government is working on policy reforms.

People’s News Monitoring Service.