Nepal PM directs formation of Textile and Clothing Development Council
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has directed the formation of a Textile and Clothing Development Council to strengthen the country’s garment industry, improve exports and attract greater investment into the textile sector.
During a meeting with representatives of the Garment Association-Nepal at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Shah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the interests of garment manufacturers and supporting the industry’s long-term growth.
Following the discussions, the Prime Minister instructed the relevant ministries to expedite the establishment of the Textile and Clothing Development Council, which is expected to support exports of readymade garments produced using domestically available raw materials while improving import management.
Responding to requests from industry representatives, Shah also directed the Ministry of Industry to restart struggling industrial units and asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to strengthen the country’s garment sector.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to developing skilled human resources under the “Farm to Fiber, Fiber to Fabric, Fabric to Fashion and Fashion to Export” value chain strategy, aimed at building a more integrated and competitive textile and apparel industry.
He also emphasized that addressing the challenges faced by garment manufacturers is essential as Nepal works towards its transition from a least developed country to a developing economy.
Representatives from the Garment Association-Nepal, including President Pashupati Dev Pandey, First Vice President Basanta Raj Adhikari, General Secretary Bhim Kumar Giri, CEO Suyash Khanal and Technical Advisor Prakash Kumar Jha, attended the meeting.