Kathmandu: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has urged mobile phone entrepreneurs to produce mobile phones within the country.

He pledged that the government would provide necessary assistance for the same. "I have heard that the Mero mobile company is at work to produce mobile phones in the country itself. Not only the company, you (mobile phone entrepreneurs) all too should focus on the matter. The government will assist you," he said while inaugurating the second general convention of the Nepal Mobile Distributors Association here today.

He also directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to immediately implement the mobile device management system. "I have been informed that the system was supposed to be implemented five months back. What are the problems that prevented the project? I have directed the body concerned to resolve the problems (if any) and implement it. The government is always effortful to stop illegal transactions and revenue leakages."

He also dismissed the blame by mobile phone entrepreneurs that the government delayed the implementation of the project.

On the occasion, mobile entrepreneurs urged the government to stop the illegal supply of mobile phones into the country that has contributed to several criminal activities in the country.

They also asked the government to implement the project soon.