By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Jan. 25: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has urged Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) to double its investment in the agricultural sector.
Addressing a function organised to mark the 57th anniversary of the bank through virtual media on Monday, Minister Sharma urged the bank to double its investment in the agricultural sector.

“In the new programme to be formulated after celebrating this anniversary, I am sure, this bank will double its investment in agriculture from existing 11 per cent, in tourism from existing 5 per cent, and in industry from 5 per cent at present,” he said.

This will make a significant contribution to national capital formation, production and employment, he added.
He reminded that the government’s policy was also focused on investment in the productive sector and urged the bank to increase investment in it.

Stating that investment was essential to make the country self-reliant, Minister Sharma assured that the government would support the bank in its efforts to attract foreign loans.
He said that RBB should play a role as a model as it is a government financial institution.
“Our main strategy is to develop the country’s economy through a tripartite partnership between the private sector, cooperatives and the public sector,” he said.

Based on this strategy, the bank should establish a model in the financial sector, he said, adding that the bank should be able to educate other financial institutions by setting a model institution.
Stating that the banking sector has benefitted from the recent development in technology, Minister Sharma appreciated the bank for launching ‘Unstructured Supplementary Service Data’ (USSD).
He hoped that customers could now benefit from mobile banking even in places without internet availing USSD service.

He also expressed confidence that this technology would increase financial literacy as well as financial access.
On the occasion, Minister Sharma also inaugurated the USSD service and launched the book ‘Upahar’.
The bank is currently providing services from 258 branches across the country.