September 27: Minister for Finance Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada has stressed on the need to create job opportunities outside the agriculture sector to get people out of abject poverty in under-developed countries like Nepal.

To achieve this objective the government has emphasized on tourism, said Minister Khatiwada.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Sixth NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards, on Friday, Minister Khatiwada said tourism can help the country shift focus from agriculture to service sector.

According to Minister Khatiwada, tourism has a very large multiplier effect in other sectors of economy. Tourism is the best way to redistribute income without intervening the market, he said.

“This is how the road to prosperity begins,” he said.

He also reminded that we should be careful not to damage our culture while preparing to adjust to the new world of tourism.

“We need to protect our natural beauty and be careful that we do not damage our culture,” he said.

Tourism also promotes connectivity, according to Khatiwada.