सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Kathmandu. Today, we are very excited and proud to lay the foundation stone of Jalpadevi Cable Car during this special ceremony. With a firm determination and high objective to connect the people through the development of tourism infrastructure, promote tourism and pave the way for economic prosperity of the country, IME Group is engaged in the construction of hotels and resorts with cable cars in all seven provinces.
In this regard, we have already brought the Maulakali Cable Car, hotels and resorts and other recreational infrastructures into operation in Chandragiri in Kathmandu and Gaindakot in East Nawalparasi. The cable car has already come into operation in Butbal in Rupandehi, while other infrastructures including a five-star hotel are under construction. Similarly, the construction of a cable car has also moved forward in Pathibhara, a famous pilgrimage site in Taplejung.
The huge infrastructure built in Chandragiri has not only created 500 direct new jobs, it has brought about a radical change in Chandragiri and its surroundings. Economic activities have increased with an average of 3,000 people moving in and out daily. There has been a significant increase in the businesses of the locals. Their standard of living has improved.
Chandragiri has become a new and attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. It has become a destination for high-ranking foreign guests visiting Nepal to spend an extra day. Chandragiri is a must-visit tourist destination for everyone from children to senior citizens.
Hundreds of locals have found employment in Butwal and Gaidakot, just like Chandragiri. Economic activities have expanded. It has become a new destination for many local, Indian and other foreign tourists.
We have moved forward with the aim of building a huge tourism infrastructure including cable cars, hotels and resorts in all seven provinces on the Chandragiri model.
Our aim is to extend the stay of tourists coming to Nepal by at least 7 days through our efforts. In this regard, we are confident that the foundation stone of the Jalpadevi Cable Car, which is being laid today in Chisapani, Karnali, at the confluence of Sudurpaschim, Lumbini and Karnali provinces, will not only make a significant contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of this region but will also prove to be a milestone in the tourism promotion, economic development and prosperity of the entire region.
Honorable Minister, currently there is a lack of tourism infrastructure in the country. The average spending and stay of foreign tourists visiting Nepal is very low. And, it is decreasing day by day. The latest statistics show that foreign tourists stay in Nepal for an average of 12 days and spend less than $50 per day on average.
We will have to build more large-scale infrastructure that will attract tourists, increase their stay in Nepal and spend more. Tourists come to Nepal to observe culture, art, natural beauty and the extraordinary geography here.
Therefore, my suggestion is that such tourism infrastructure should be developed. The more the government facilitates the private sector in these tasks and adopts a policy of adopting a partnership model, the faster the country will develop.
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## Nature has given us immense blessings. There are countless possibilities that we can do in tourism, nature and environment. If we combine our vision and willpower, and add technology and capital, I believe that we can truly create a miracle.
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## The private sector is certainly capable of bringing such a miracle to the development and change of this country. We have repeatedly confirmed this.
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## Honorable Minister, if a favorable environment is provided, the private sector can make large investments and help the government in development, employment and economic growth. This is our confidence.
The country is currently in a federal structure. I think that every province and local level should compete to attract investment in their region. For that, there should be a competition between the provinces and local levels to invite investors to invest in potential projects, facilitate through concrete and practical policies, and attract as much investment as possible to their provinces and local levels. Only then can the economic development and prosperity we expect be achieved.
It is necessary for all local levels to build such structures targeting the long term. I would like to reiterate that policy reforms and facilitating arrangements are necessary to create an investment-friendly environment. Only then can domestic and foreign investment be attracted. Honorable Minister, if we call it the area of potential for our country or if any area is possible to transform the country, it is tourism.
Only by investing in tourism infrastructure can we attract tourists as per the target. Tourist stays can be extended. More foreign exchange can be earned. More jobs can be created. More revenue can be collected, and the economic development and prosperity we expect can be achieved.
Tourism creates more jobs than other service sectors and also generates more revenue. This project, the foundation of which was laid today, will definitely help raise the living standards of the people. It will reduce poverty. The expected economic development and prosperity will come to the country. After all, aren’t these the expectations of all of us?
If it is possible to do all these things with a small policy arrangement and encouragement from the government, why not? Since the government can get returns without investment and understand the dividends of development, I have from time to time called the government a partner of the private sector without investment. The services, facilities provided by every project built by the private sector and the income generated from it are all matters that fall under the responsibility of the state. These physical infrastructures built by the private sector and the services provided will increase the status of the state.
These are also the basis for the development of the state. If private investment is encouraged, the private sector is allowed to expand and develop, and their respect, dignity and morale are high, then only the private sector can bring development, economic prosperity and progress. As the leader of the private sector of the entire country, I have this request and suggestion to the federal, provincial and local governments.
Now I would like to say something about this Jalpadevi cable car, the foundation of which is being laid today. This province, which is a little behind other provinces in terms of modern development and economy, seems very beautiful and supernatural to me. Ramaroshan, Badimalika, Khaptad, Shuklaphant, Chisapani bridges in this province are very beautiful destinations in themselves. I believe that no one will have any doubts about the fact that this cable car and resort to be built in Chisapani, the gateway to the Far West Province, will promote adventure, religious and entertainment tourism.
The holy Karnali River has immense potential for water tourism development. If traditional Tharu culture can be promoted, including rafting on the Karnali River, paragliding and trekking in the many mountains around this region, and jungle safaris in Bardiya National Park, the physical, economic and social development of this region can truly take a leap forward. For this, I have seen the need for more and more tourism infrastructure, such as the one that was laid today.
Honorable Ministers, Nepal and Nepal’s hill stations have been becoming the preferred destinations of Indian tourists for the past few years. Whether it is a weekend or a vacation, a holiday tourist coming for entertainment, a meeting, incentive, conference, exhibition or a destination wedding, many tourist destinations in Nepal are now the first choice of Indian tourists. However, the lack of air connectivity and other necessary physical infrastructure has not been able to bring those tourists to Nepal.
Currently, we are about 2 hours’ driving distance from the border of our neighboring country, India. If this cable car and resort, which is easily accessible from the Indian border and is located near the East-West Highway, can attract even a small portion of those tourists, we will be able to take an unimaginable leap in the tourism sector not only of this district but also of this Far Western Province and the entire Nepal.
Like the previous infrastructures that we are building, here too we have adopted the model of local participation. Because now this structure is the common property of all of us. Therefore, we have requested Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa to coordinate as the local coordinator for participation in this project. You can also participate in this project through your company.
Finally, I think I do not need to introduce the history and importance of this Chisapani area. The Chisapani area itself is gold, we expect this cable car project to add fragrance to it. Similarly, we are fully confident that this bank of Karnali, the confluence of three provinces and famous for dolphins and rafting, will become a trinity of historical, cultural and religious tourism.
(##Remarks made by Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Jalpadevi Cable Car##)
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प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्