Kathmandu, November 23:

The delay in the government’s decision-making process is creating hurdles for the private sector, according to the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).

Speaking at an interaction programme here today, FNCCI president Kush Kumar Joshi said the private sector is facing disappointment at every turn. “Whether it is in the case of minimum wage policy, establishing peace and security in the industrial and business sector or stopping strikes and bandhs, the lack of proper concern is orving a rebuff to the private sectors,” said the chief of the umbrella organisation of Nepal’s private sector.

Giving the example of Colgate-Palmolive, Joshi said, “It was all due to insecurity that the company fled from Nepal.

If this scenario continues, we will have to face the worst. What we want is priority to the economic agenda at the policy making level.”

According to FNCCI, disputes caused due to the labour problems is one main cause for the industrial shutdowns and obstruction in operation. From Baisakh until Kartik this year, there were umpteen incidents in industrial sector like the killing of 20 businessmen in the Tarai region, attacks on and kidnapping of 53 traders, 54 industrial corridor bandhs and 62 days of bandhs and strikes.

FNCCI vice-president Pradeep Jung Pandey said, “The total assistance of Nepal Industrial Sector in the Gross National Product is 12 per cent but it has decreased to 8 per cent since seven months and many sectors are running in loss. Export is decreasing every year and there is a lack of investor-friendly environment.”

According to Pandey, the global financial crisis will gobble up 20 million jobs in the coming years due to which Nepal will have to face greatly as the international market will consume less and employ fewer Nepali workers.

“The gGovernment has asked us to clarify plans, policy, and laws regarding the industry, commerce and foreign investments with us. We are ready to provide the development plans to the government,” said Pandey and added, “To provide credit facility for promotion of investments, the government should promote the establishment of Infrastructure Bank at the earliest. It should also have talks with investors of mega industries. There is also a need to focus on the establishment of SEZ, EPZ (Export Promotion Zone), AEZ, and Growth Centres to create more facilities.” Pandey also suggested establishing a Growth Centre for the industrial sector.