Govt commits to strengthening custom, border administrations: Finance Minister Khatiwada

Kathmandu, Aug 1 Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada today said the government was committed to strengthening and making custom and border administrations effective. The government was at work to develop technology and infrastructure in every custom office and to bring legal and structural changes to boost entrepreneurship and country’s economy, he said at a seminar with the theme of ‘custom management’ organised here by the Department of Customs. He viewed that public private partnership is needed to expedite industrialism, while urging private sector to contribute to the building of national capital. “You (private sector) should boost industries and entrepreneurship by investing in protected areas. We are ready to help for the growth of national economy,” he said. He also urged concerned authorities to do their best in controlling smuggling activities. On the occasion, finance secretary Rajan Khanal said the government has a policy to develop a transaction-based custom service. Director General of the Department Rameshwor Dangal said a total of 24 custom offices across the country had been developed as operating transaction banking. —