Mar 29, 2024

Tourism Minister's proposal to open liquor import

Tourism Minister's proposal to open liquor import

 

KATHMANDU, Oct 23: Culture, Civil and Aviation Minister Jeevan Ram Shrestha has taken a proposal to the Council of Ministers to open the ban on import of foreign liquor.

Minister Shrestha took such a proposal to the Council of Ministers on Thursday saying that the ban on the import of foreign liquor for a long time has had a negative impact on the country's tourism sector.

As foreign exchange reserves are dwindling, there has been a complete ban on the import of liquor since April.

Meanwhile, although the import of some other goods has been opened, the ban on alcohol, vehicles, expensive mobiles etc. remains. This ban will last until next November.

Minister Shrestha said, "Since alcohol is linked to tourism, I have taken a proposal to open the ban on alcohol import. The Prime Minister has been positive after the proposal, and a decision will be taken after discussing this matter after Tihar."

Earlier, the government had banned the import of liquor from last May.

Businessmen say that along with the ban on the import of alcohol, its impact has fallen on the hotel industry, which is becoming a constant with the corona pandemic.

'The tourism industry is one such sector where the value addition can be up to $30 by importing $10 worth of alcohol. Tourism is a strong base for boosting the economy. But stopping this import has affected the entire hotel sector," says Vinayak Shah, first vice president of the Hotel Association of Nepal.

However, Tourism Minister Shrestha understood the problems of tourism businessmen and took this proposal to the Council of Ministers, he said, so businessmen are hopeful.

According to the data of the customs department, prepared liquor worth one billion 497.1 million rupees was received in the last financial year. All types of prepared liquor equal to 12 lakh 50 thousand liters have been imported.

Comments