Five-Year Plans of Nepal generally strove to increase output and employment; develop the infrastructure; attain economic stability; promote industry, commerce, and international trade; establish administrative and public service institutions to support economic development; and also introduce labor-intensive production techniques to alleviate underemployment.
The social goals of the plans were improving health and education as well as encouraging equitable income distribution.
The first four plans concentrated on infrastructure—to make it possible to facilitate the movement of goods and services—and to increase the size of the market.
Each of the five-year plans depended heavily on foreign assistance in the forms of grants and loans.
Although targets again were missed, there were improvements in industrial production, road construction, telephone installations, irrigation, and education.
Although the third and fourth plans increased the involvement of the panchayat in the development process, the central government continued to carry most of the responsibilities.
For the first time, the problem of poverty was addressed in a five-year plan, although no specific goals were mentioned.
Top priority was given to agricultural development, and emphasis was placed on increasing food production and cash crops such as sugar cane and tobacco.
The July 1990 budget speech of the minister of finance, however, implied that for the interim, the goals of the seventh plan were being followed.
The target of the ninth plan was to increase industrial production by 6% per annum the investment both domestic and foreign was estimated to be Rs.
To achieve the objective the plan has targeted to improve the economic, human and social indicators.
The plan also aims to strengthen the capability of the private sector and encourage it to participate in social development activities.