Gandaki. The 22nd edition of Pokhara Street Festival began on Wednesday. The street festival is organised by the Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN), Pokhara, on the occasion of New Year in the Gregorian calendar.

Inaugurating the festival, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Prithvi Subba Gurung, said that the provincial government would bring business protection fund into implementation soon in view of negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on industry and tourism. Chief Minister Gurung shared that a fund of one billion rupees has been established for the revival of all types of industries and business affected by coronavirus. Saying coronavirus has adversely affected the tourism in Pokhara, he expressed belief that the street festival would give a positive message in tourism promotion.

CM Gurung stressed the need of carrying out economic activities by fulfilling criteria set by World Health Organisation.

Stating that the government has been carrying out activities putting the people’s health in top priority rather than development activities, he expressed the view that it would help the country to be self-dependent in health sector to some extent.

Similarly, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, Bikas Lamsal, said that the provincial government has been investing on infrastructure development to achieve prosperity by developing Pokhara as a tourist hub.

Sharing that Pokhara Metropolitan City has been preparing necessary master plan for the tourism promotion of Pokhara and surrounding areas, Mayor Man Bahadur GC stressed the need of support of all for the same.

Central Chairperson of REWAN, Araniko Rajbhandari, pointed out that the monetary policy issued by the government should also incorporate middle and small-scale business, not only big-scale business.

The street festival is taking place only for three days this year due to coronavirus. It used to take place for a week in normal times. (RSS)