Furniture business an important sector of economy: Dr. Mahat

Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that furniture business is an important sector of economic activity. While addressing the 9th annual general meeting and the 5th convention of the Federation of Nepal Furniture and Furnishing Entrepreneurs Association, Finance Minister Dr. Mahat said, “Although 45 per cent of the land in Nepal is covered by forest, we do need to import furniture from abroad.” However, he said that importing furniture from abroad and using steel furniture instead of wood is not pleasant for us. “We can become independent in the field of furniture. There is also a lot of potential for export as well. Nepal is also prosperous in terms of art and culture. We can manufacture special types of furniture, which can be in high demand abroad,” Minister Dr. Mahat said. He said that the government is determined to encourage and promote the furniture and furnishing business. “According to the policy of the government, high customs duty is imposed on ready-made goods, but low customs duty is levied on imported raw materials. The government has adopted this policy so that this industry can flourish,” he said.