Kathmandu, May 2: On the occasion of National Information and Communication Technology Day, Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, emphasized the expanding scope of revenue generation from the information technology sector. Speaking at a program held in Kathmandu on Friday, the Minister revealed that Nepal currently has an advertising market worth approximately Rs 30 billion annually.
He noted that since the establishment of the Advertisement Board, the government has been collecting Rs 2 to 3 billion in annual revenue from advertising. However, he emphasized the need to reform advertisement policies and laws to increase this revenue. According to Minister Gurung, with proper coordination between the federal, provincial, and local governments, revenue collection from advertising alone could reach Rs 25 to 30 billion in the coming years.
He also shared that the government is preparing to digitize the postal service and integrate it into the e-commerce system, aiming to establish it as the most reliable courier service in the country. Highlighting the convenience and trustworthiness of digital services, he said they are the most accessible and efficient for the public.
Minister Gurung further said, “The advertising market is currently worth over Rs 30 billion. With the establishment of the Advertisement Board, only Rs 2–3 billion is being collected. If we work effectively, create strong policies, and reform the laws, we can generate Rs 25–30 billion from this sector within a few years. Transforming the postal service into a digital system and linking it with e-commerce can make it the most trustworthy courier institution. There’s clear potential for revenue generation, but we haven’t been able to harness it fully.”
Minister Gurung also announced the rollout of 5G services starting in the next fiscal year, beginning from the Kathmandu Valley. He acknowledged that current policies are outdated and have hindered the expansion of the IT sector. To address this, he committed to revamping all relevant laws and policies within a year.
He added, “In computing, the era of 5G has begun, and in IT, we’re in the age of AI. Both are top priorities globally. The key is how effectively we implement them. The government will begin 5G implementation this year, starting with two metropolitan cities — the Kathmandu Valley and possibly Pokhara — and then extend to municipalities. This sector demands quick, high-quality work. Current policies, many of which date back to the Panchayat era, are no longer suitable. We will replace them all with new ones within this year.”
Additionally, the Minister stated that the government plans to invest Rs 500 billion in the IT sector over the next five years. The goal is to establish strong policies and regulations to ensure institutional use of communication technology in the interest of the nation and its citizens.
