KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has said that the government is working to create an environment where mineral and river-based resources can be excavated and sold not only within Nepal but also in international markets.

Speaking at a program organized by the Infrastructure Journalists Society in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Minister Poudel said the government has moved forward with plans to export mineral resources, aiming to eliminate obstacles in project implementation caused by the shortage of construction materials.

He emphasized that the budget has included programs to not just utilize but also export construction materials derived from mineral and river-based resources, and assured that these programs will be implemented effectively.

Minister Poudel further stated that the government has already taken concrete steps in this direction and there will be no turning back.

He also informed the gathering that many of the persistent problems in the infrastructure sector have been addressed in the new budget. Expressing optimism, he said that key reforms introduced through the budget would bring positive results.