Shobhakant Paudel, joint secretary of the Ministry of Finance, has said that not only religious tourism but also health tourism, business gatherings should be promoted for the effective operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport located in Bhairahawa. He has already spent more than 2 billion on upgrading the infrastructure of Bhairahawa and now he is of the opinion that the return should be seen from the private sector.

Speaking at the first session of the 'Power of Lumbini' program organized by Kantipur Media Group at Bhairahawa on Wednesday, Paudel opined that a multi-dimensional strategy should be adopted to ensure the effectiveness of airport operations. "Now we have only paid attention to religious tourism to run an international airport," he said, "If we can develop Bhairahawa as a health care, business meeting, and transit hub, the airport can provide the expected benefits." 

According to Paudel, initiatives are needed to attract not only those who come to Nepal for religious purposes, but also those who come for medical treatment, business meetings and other purposes. "Infrastructure should be connected as a byproduct," he said, "hotels come with the airport, industry comes with the hotel, and other productive industries also develop with the industry." In this way, the overall economy can be made sustainable.' 

He said that since the physical infrastructure has been significantly developed in Bhairahawa area, now it should be operated effectively and emphasis should be placed on economic growth. "Government has already spent more than 2 billion on the infrastructure of Bhairahawa," he said, "and now the private sector should see its return."