The economic summit has been organized with a focus on the economic development and Buddhist tourism of Lumbini Province.

Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya inaugurated the conference on Friday, organized by Lumbini Buddhist University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, and Transport of the Lumbini Province Government.

Speaking at the program, Chief Minister Acharya said that the teachings of Lord Gautam Buddha are based on compassion, morality, the middle path, and social justice, and that they should be made universal.

He said that this conference has provided an opportunity for serious debate and discussion in the search for an economic approach based on sustainable development, green economy, social justice, and human welfare in the light of Buddhist teachings.

He also informed that the Lumbini Province Government has put forward a multi-faceted plan to tour the entire province for tourists visiting the birthplace of Buddha.

“We are confident that the entire province can be developed by taking Lumbini as a base. Therefore, the provincial government has given high priority to the overall development of the Lumbini region,” Acharya said.

Speaking at the conference, National Planning Commission member Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha said that tourist-attracting areas and accommodation facilities are necessary for tourism promotion.

Presenting a concept paper titled Tourism for the Development of Lumbini, he said that tourism cannot be developed unless there are natural, cultural and historical structures that tourists can enjoy.

He said that there is a need for service-oriented infrastructure to make the hilly areas of Lumbini Province a workplace for Indian tourists by making better use of information technology.

‘An environment can be created for IT workers from neighboring India to work in the hilly districts of Lumbini Province,’ he said. ‘If there is reliable electricity and internet and good hotels to stay in, more tourists can come.’

He said that Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, should be promoted internationally to promote it, he said. He stressed that since roads alone are not the only economic development, the government should allocate budget for the development of spiritual and religious tourism.

Lumbini Buddhist University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Subarnalal Bajracharya said that the university is making promotional programs to attract educational tourists to Lumbini. He said that projects like the construction of Tripitaka Park and Devdaha Education Development Project will help in academic as well as tourism development.

Vice Chancellor Bajracharya stressed the need for coordination between the provincial government and the university and emphasized the need for promotional programs in collaboration.

Lumbini Province Chief Secretary Baburam Adhikari said that the provincial government has taken a policy of establishing an authority for the overall tourism development of Lumbini.

Lumbini Buddhist University Registrar Dr. Tilakram Acharya emphasized the need to conduct research-oriented work, ensuring that the university’s research aligns with the government’s policy plans.

Seven working papers related to Buddhist philosophy, economic development, and tourism will be presented in the two-day conference. The conference will conclude on Monday.