Youth brain drain could be curbed through tourism development: NPC Vice-Chair

Butwal, Jan 5: The 14-day Lumbini Expo-2072 organized by Rupandehi Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Butwal in Rupandehi district concluded on Tuesday.
At the closing ceremony of the international trade fair, Vice-Chair of National Planning Commission, Dr Yubraj Khatiwada expressed his confidence that the burgeoning brain drain among the youth in the country could be halted given the tourism sector is developed and promoted.
Khatiwada argued that if only two million tourists entered the country annually, it would generate employment to some 20-25 youths back home, contributing to a huge cut down on brain drain.
According to him, as many as four million Nepali youths are in foreign shores for employment. The government, he said, must promote tourism sector if this section of the country’s population is to be beckoned back home and provided with employment opportunities.
For the tourism to bolster in the country, he pressed for the earliest up-gradation of the only international airport in the country, the Tribhuvan International Airport and completion of the second international airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport which is under-construction.
Underscoring the development of entrepreneurship among the youths, he also spoke of the need for the same so as to mobilize the country’s capital, technology and market.
He stressed on boosting use of technology for the economic development of the country.
The festival, attended by estimated 600,000 visitors, saw the financial transaction worth Rs 350 million, according to Shree Krishna Pokharel, Coordinator of the Fair Main Organizing Committee.
Various 30 countries, including India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh had taken part in the fair boasting as many as 600 stalls of garments, electronic items and automobile among others, added Coordinator Pokharel.