KATHMANDU, JANUARY 6
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has pledged to establish an IT Park in Kathmandu within this year, emphasizing the necessity of IT infrastructure to realize the goals of the Digital Nepal Framework.
Inaugurating the 30th CAN Infotech 2025 in Kathmandu on Thursday, organized by the Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation), the government spokesperson stressed the need for robust IT infrastructure to implement the Digital Nepal Framework effectively.
"To achieve the objectives of the Digital Nepal Framework, we must develop adequate IT infrastructure. We will establish an IT Park in Kathmandu this year-without fail," he affirmed.
Minister Gurung underscored that the absence of an IT Park reflects Nepal's lag in technological advancement. He reiterated his commitment to developing IT-related infrastructure, drafting IT and AI policies, and formulating necessary legal and physical frameworks.
Additionally, the minister announced that 4G services would be expanded across all 753 local levels, while 5G services would be introduced in the Kathmandu Valley within the year.
Acknowledging Nepal's delay in formulating an AI policy compared to other SAARC nations, Gurung warned that failure to maximize IT adoption would leave the country further behind in the global digital landscape.
During the event, a video message from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was presented, in which he expressed confidence that the new ordinance introduced by the government has fostered a favorable environment for IT industries, even in foreign markets, thereby generating new opportunities for youth employment.
PM Oli further stated that the Digital Nepal Framework could only be meaningful through a strong partnership between the government and the private sector.