Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has urged multinational companies to confidently invest in Nepal, highlighting the ample opportunities available in the country’s IT sector. In his address to the Digital Safety Summit, organized by TikTok in coordination with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology here today, the Minister, who is also the government spokesperson, assured that investment security is guaranteed in Nepal.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Minister emphasized that the government has ensured policy provisions for the protection of foreign investment. He stated, “Nepal now offers a favorable environment for multinational companies like TikTok to invest confidently, with the guarantee of returns.” He also shared details about the conditions set for IT companies regarding their social responsibility. TikTok, he pointed out, resumed operations in Nepal in compliance with these conditions.
The Minister stressed the
need for combined efforts among the government, civil society, and social media users to realize the vision of building a digital Nepal. TikTok has been registered with the Ministry in accordance with the Social Media Management Guidelines, 2081 BS, the Minister added. He expressed his belief that TikTok will contribute towards the modernization of Nepal’s education system and increase digital literacy through digital security campaigns, organization of training and workshops, production of local educational materials, as well as by providing scholarships and operation of smart classrooms at schools and colleges.
He added that the government has put forth conditions to TikTok, such as supporting Nepal’s tourism promotion, contributing to IT development, and emphasizing educational progress. According to him, TikTok has been registered and allowed to re-operate in Nepal as the online video-sharing platform has abided by these conditions. “We are convinced that TikTok will maintain the image of a decent social
site contributing to Nepal’s social and economic development,” the Minister stated, adding that the government has declared the coming decade as the IT Decade with the objective of developing the country as an IT hub.
He also shared on the occasion the government’s goal of creating 500 thousand to one million job opportunities in the IT sector. On a different note, Minister Gurung mentioned that social sites should be operated strictly abiding by the existing laws, Acts, and work procedures. He reiterated that the government is committed to cyber security, as a civilized society could be built only through the prevention of cyber crimes, which have been growing in recent years.
Expressing concern over women and children falling prey to cyber crime in higher numbers, Minister Gurung stressed the appropriate use of ICT.