Kathmandu. Similarly, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka said the government was working to provide facilities to the hotel business by placing it in the category of production-oriented industry as it is a sensitive area directly related to tourism.

Receiving a calling attention letter submitted by a team led by District Hotel Entrepreneurs Association Kathmandu President Suresh Baral on Tuesday, Minister Khadka said the government was positive about providing necessary concessions at par with the productive industries to increase the competitiveness of tourism and hotel business as it is the sector supporting the country’s economy.

In the memorandum submitted by the association, it has been stated that the hotel business is continuously facing losses, it is difficult to meet the operating expenses and there is an urgent need to provide exemption to electricity tariff at par with production-oriented industries. The office-bearers of the Association had demanded that the hotel should be given special facilities, saying the tourism sector has not only contributed to revenue generation but also as a means of bringing in foreign exchange, creating employment and identifying Nepal.

Although the government had announced in the budget for 2082/83 to recognize hotels and restaurants as production-oriented industries and provide discounts on electricity tariff, it has not been implemented in practice. The association’s office-bearers have urged the government to take an immediate decision, saying the business is in further crisis due to the delay in the implementation of the budget.

Association President Suresh Baral expressed the belief that the electricity tariff exemption would provide a big relief to the hoteliers amidst the current economic slowdown and dismal business situation. A joint team comprising Vice-Chair Kumar Shrestha, Deputy General Secretary Shivalal Giri, Secretariat Member Khem Raj Upreti, Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneur Bagmati Province Secretariat Member Sanjib Shrestha, among others, called on Minister Khadka and drew his attention.