CNI urge Minister Kirati to do the needful to remove Nepal from EU’s aviation safety list

KATMANDU, August 7: The Confederation of Nepal Industry (CNI) has discussed with the Minister of  Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati on steps to promote Nepal's tourism, alongside initiatives to remove Nepal from the ‘Aviation Safety List’ maintained by the European Union.

In a discussion held at the ministry, Rajesh Kumar Agarwal, president of the Confederation, emphasized coordination and cooperation between the government and the private sector for developing Nepal's tourism industry, which is a major source of foreign exchange earnings. He also stressed the need to move forward effectively to re-establish direct air links with Europe since European tourists are among the high spenders who visit the country. 

Stating that the CNI has formed a tourism committee with the highest priority for the tourism industry, he shared the private sector’s commitment to working closely with the ministry.

The Confederation has also drawn the attention of the Ministry regarding the lack of air routes for the successful operation of Pokhara Regional International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport.

The CNI has also urged the ministry to lay importance on the upgradation of road transport routes leading to tourist areas to be completed within the specified time and to levy the taxes imposed on air tickets among others, to develop and promote Nepal as a filmmaker’s paradise.

In the discussion, Minister Kirati said that efforts are being made to remove Nepal from the security list of the European Union and positive news may come soon. He assured that the government of Nepal will move forward to re-establish direct air connectivity with the European Union and shared his mutual disagreement with the government’s decision to impose a value-added tax on air tickets at a time when flying in Nepal is becoming more expensive.