Experts have emphasized the investment potential in the fields of agriculture and tourism in Koshi Province. Presenting papers during a panel discussion on tourism and agriculture at the ongoing Provincial Investment Summit in Biratnagar, they stated that this is the right time for investment.
Speaking on the topic of tourism potential, Deepak Raj Joshi, Executive Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, said that tourist preferences have changed in the global tourism market. He emphasized the need to make full use of technology to promote tourist destinations.
Agriculture expert Dr. Til Chandra Bhattarai said that now is the right time to invest in the commercialization and modernization of local crops in Koshi Province. He noted that there is a need for significant investment in agriculture, particularly in crops like millet, buckwheat, cardamom, ginger, and tea.
Rajendra Raut, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Koshi Province, stressed the need to revise existing policies and regulations to create an investment-friendly environment. He said, “It takes 10 months just to get the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report approved for registering a single industry. Because of this, projects meant to be completed in three years end up taking six years. This cumbersome process must end.”
Agricultural entrepreneur Sharda Baskota stated that inconsistent policies at the three levels of government have made it difficult to invest in the agricultural sector. She suggested that the government should facilitate the process to encourage investment.
