Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said that the government was giving priority to the development and promotion of the quality readymade garment industry based on raw materials produced in the country.

During a discussion with the office-bearers of Nepal Readymade Garment Industry Association at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, the Prime Minister expressed commitment that the government was ready for all kinds of facilitation for the development and expansion of readymade garment industries.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Shah directed the concerned ministers to immediately forward the task of forming a ‘Textile and Clothing Development Council’ under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies as per the demand of the office-bearers of the association. The office bearers expressed the hope that the formation of the council would help in export promotion and import management of readymade garments based on raw materials available in the country.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister directed the Industry Ministry to resume the sick industries of the private sector as per the demand put forth by the office-bearers.

He also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work immediately to bring in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and foreign direct investment (FDI) and to pave the way for the construction of readymade garments and other goods in the US which have not been put on hold and the ‘testing certification’ has not been issued.

He also pledged to produce skilled human resources required to meet the objectives of ‘Farm to Fiber’, ‘Fiber to Fabric’, ‘Fabric to Fashion’ and ‘Fashion to Export’.

Prime Minister Shah urged the representatives to find suitable land for the construction of Green Garment Village at a suitable place and assured them of providing the required budget.

The Prime Minister encouraged the office-bearers to carry out necessary works after re-studying the practice of importing Nepal on the basis of export in 2040 BS.

Underlining the need to upgrade Nepal from least developed country to developing country, he stressed the need of resolving all kinds of problems facing garment industry. He also said that the readymade garment industry should be able to produce raw materials and materials in Nepal.