Kathmandu- The government has announced that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 will prioritize information technology, digital governance, and structural economic reforms. Finance Minister Swarnim Waglé presented the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill in separate meetings of both houses of the Federal Parliament on Thursday, stating that information technology would become the foundation for a new phase of economic development.
The government plans to introduce a “single-window, time-bound, and digital” administrative system to make public service delivery more technology-friendly. Processes related to business registration, tax administration, payments, permits, and regulation will be integrated into digital systems. An integrated database based on the national identity card will also be developed, with services related to citizenship, health, education, banking, social security, and land management to be made available through a unified “Citizen App.”
The budget aims to strengthen the federal governance system by focusing the federal government on policy-making and national standards while empowering provincial and local governments in service delivery and implementation. The government also plans to link education, health, agriculture, and tourism services with local potential to improve effectiveness.
To accelerate large-scale projects, the government has pledged to remove legal and procedural obstacles, introduce performance agreements for project chiefs, and implement strategic projects in “mission mode.” Risk-based audit systems will be enforced in public procurement, revenue administration, and service delivery, alongside stricter regulatory measures against corruption, carteling, and monopolistic practices.
The government has also prioritized agriculture, energy, tourism, information technology, and the service sector to transform the economy into a production-oriented, innovation-driven, and export-focused system. Plans include expanding agricultural clusters, cold storage centers, processing industries, and agricultural insurance to modernize and commercialize farming.
In the technology sector, the government aims to develop Nepal into a regional “tech hub.” Policies have been announced to promote the export of software, cloud services, data centers, cybersecurity, and digital services. Remote work, digital nomads, and digital enterprises will receive legal recognition, while the “Startup Nepal” initiative will be integrated into a unified national innovation program.
Infrastructure development will focus on completing unfinished and high-return projects. The government plans to speed up construction of energy, irrigation, roads, tunnels, flyovers, economic corridors, dry ports, and logistics infrastructure. In Kathmandu Valley, priority will also be given to mass transit systems, integrated waste management, and safe drinking water projects.
Education, health, and social security have also been identified as key priorities. The education system will be aligned with labor market demands, with greater emphasis on technical and vocational education. In the health sector, minimum standards for basic healthcare services will be implemented, with expanded access to healthcare in rural and remote areas.
The government has further pledged to develop Karnali, Madhesh, Sudurpashchim, and other historically marginalized regions into strategic centers for agriculture, tourism, water resources, and entrepreneurship. Economic diplomacy will also be strengthened by linking foreign policy with foreign investment, energy trade, digital services, and technology transfer.
Finance Minister Waglé stated that the upcoming budget is designed to promote employment-centered economic growth, digital transformation, good governance, and renewed confidence in the private sector, laying the foundation for a prosperous Nepal.
