Kathmandu, August 6

A delegation of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) — the largest private sector umbrella body — led by its President Pashupati Murarka paid a courtesy to newly elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today.

During the meeting, the FNCCI delegation requested the prime minister to take necessary steps to improve the flagging investment environment in the country, according to the FNCCI statement.

FNCCI President Murarka highlighted some of the key issues, like policy inconsistency, weak rule of law, erratic power supply, among others that are hampering the efforts to attract investment in the country. He emphasised the need for early endorsement of some crucial economic bills —Industrial Enterprise Bill, Special Economic Zone Bill, Electricity Bill — from the parliament.

“Private sector has been facing raft of hassles to run the business across the country due to strikes, bandhs, donation drive by the political forces,” the statement has quoted Murarka as informing the prime minister.

The FNCCI delegation further urged the leadership of new government to provide support to the private sector to resurrect the economy, which has been hit hard by the earthquakes of last year and disruptions in southern trade routes during protest in Madhes, as per the statement.

“FNCCI delegation also stressed that the private sector is ready to collaborate with the government to expedite the country’s post-earthquake reconstruction drive as well as other development activities.”

Talking to the private sector representatives, PM Dahal sought private sector’s support to lead the country towards higher growth trajectory in the coming years. “People need to be economically empowered so they are able to enjoy the rights for which they have fought for since long,” the statement had quoted the prime minister as saying. “As the new constitutions has envisioned moving towards economic development, the government and private sector need to work together to achieve this target.”

He expressed government’s commitment to extend needful support to the private sector. PM Dahal said he is always committed for the expansion of industries and business sector for employment generation and expansion of revenue base.

“The government will soon organise an intensive interaction with private sector representatives on the areas of collaboration and what the government can do to enhance environment to foster economic activities in the country,” FNCCI statement has quoted Dahal as saying.

Vice Presidents of the FNCCI Kishore Kumar Pradhan, Shekhar Golchha and Members Chandra Prasad Dhakal, Ashok Kumar Todi, Jyotsna Shrestha, Ashok Kumar Temani, Bijay Singh Vaidhya, as well as Pradeep Kumar Kediya from Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries were part of the delegation.