Govt committed to making advertising market transparent, competitive: Communication minister

KATHMANDU: The government is carrying out measures to improve the advertising cycle and ensure a healthy, transparent and competitive market, Minister for Information and Communication Dr Bikram Timilsina has said.

Speaking at a meeting with office-bearers of the Advertising Association of Nepal (AAN) on Monday, Minister Dr Timilsina said the government is taking seriously past financial irregularities in the distribution of government advertising and expects all parties involved in the advertising cycle to act in a transparent and professional manner to prevent a recurrence.

The minister noted that a National Advertising Policy has been issued recently and said policy reforms will be implemented effectively to make the sector more systematic, competitive and transparent. He also highlighted rapid changes in advertising methods and consumer behaviour driven by the growth of digital media.

Dr Timilsina called for greater collaboration and coordination between the government and the private sector to make Nepal’s communications and advertising fields more creative, competitive and commercially viable. He added that a well‑regulated advertising sector strengthens the financial base of media, supports employment and promotes business.

On the occasion, the AAN drew the ministry’s attention to problems faced by the advertising market and agencies, and raised policy-level concerns. The association said Nepal’s advertising industry, and the wider economy, suffered setbacks following the Covid19 pandemic and stressed the sector’s role as a bridge between government, media, advertisers and consumers, as well as its contribution to job creation and trade promotion.

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