Kathmandu, August 20: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has urged all government agencies to use domestic products and services. In a letter issued on Wednesday, the Office urged all public bodies, including federal ministries, commissions, secretariats, provincial governments, local governments and Nepali missions abroad, to give priority to Nepali products in their procurement processes.
The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers clarified that the move has been taken to ensure the full implementation of the existing legal provisions governing public procurement. From now on, arrangements will have to be made to use Nepali handicraft products, wherever possible, for materials used at government office meetings and ceremonies, as well as for souvenirs, gifts and decorations.
The Office of the Council of Ministers said the government has begun enforcing the existing legal provisions strictly with the objective of increasing the contribution of domestic production to the national economy, substituting growing imports, promoting domestic products, protecting local skills and enterprises, and creating employment within the country.
Similarly, domestic products must be given first priority when purchasing stationery, printing-related items, furniture, furnishings and decorative materials, construction materials, machinery, tools and equipment, agricultural and livestock products, and food and beverages.
It has been clarified that, in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2063 (2006) and other prevailing laws, domestic goods must be purchased while ensuring standards of availability, quality, price and safety. In addition, public bodies will be required to explicitly include provisions giving priority to domestic products when preparing bidding documents.
People’s News Monitoring Service.
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