June 8: Nepal Association of Tour and Travels Agents (NATTA) has urged Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central bank of Nepal, to bring tourism entrepreneur-friendly monetary policy.

A delegation headed by NATTA Chairperson Ramesh Thapa on Tuesday called on NRB Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari and urged him to introduce monetary policy that is capable of restoring the pandemic-battered tourism entrepreneurship.

The association put forth its demand to continue re-financing provision for five years so as to revitalize the ailing tourism industry. At a time when the pandemic-hit tourism industry was gradually recovering, the central bank-imposed changes in re-financing work procedure had negatively impacted the entire industry, the delegation told Governor Adhikari.

“NATTA submitted the concern and pressing issues of travel and tourism trade and requested for necessary policy intervention for tourism business promotion. It was a fruitful meeting with the Governor,” NATTA wrote on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

Other demands put forward by the association include creating environment for re-payment without fine, arrangement of 'cash back incentive' and easy loan flow to tourism sector. The association urged the governor to consider their demands as the tourism entrepreneurs are not in a condition to repay the bank loans on time due to unprecedented impacts of COVID-19. According to NATTA, NRB governor assured to try his best to address the issues. (With inputs from RSS)