Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 22:

The Nepal Association Travel Agents (NATA) has asked the government to bring a pro-tourism budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2004-05. A delegation of NATA, led by its president, Rabi Poudel today met with finance secretary Bhanu Prasad Acharya and other senior officials at the ministry of finance and presented a recommendation letter. According to a NATA press release, NATA has asked the government to review tax and revenue related matters concerning the travel and trade industry, particularly the value added tax (VAT) being imposed on imported vehicles for tourism purposes. It has asked for concessions on VAT while importing vehicles as per the Income Tax Act-2002 provision and timely auditing of such revenue. The other demands of NATA include concession on income tax for foreign exchange earnings.