Kathmandu, April 9:

Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattrai today urged the private sector to cooperate with the government

for economic prosperity. Addressing the sixth annual general meeting of International Chamber of Commerce Nepal Chapter

(ICC Nepal) here, he asked entrepreneurs to adopt changes and work to build the nation.

“We are in a new political set-up and it demands a new outlook in business and industries also,” said Bhattrai. He assured entrepreneurs that the private sector would remain a key economic player in the country. He asked business communities to explore fields of competitive advantage.

Nepal is in political transition and there are many problems in trade and commerce sector. “The government knows the problems and is working to solve them,” Dr Bhattarai said. The government has been providing subsidies in fuel to industries from the second half of March.

Furthermore, the government is planning to restrict bandhs and strikes in industries and essential commodities. “Such regulations will come soon,” he assured.

ICC Nepal is a national chapter of the largest international business network, ICC, which has its headquarters in Paris. ICC Nepal was established in 2003 to promote trade and business across the border. Today, ICC has 148 member countries and it services are expanding in arbitration, experience-sharing, research and development, training and publications.

ICC Nepal chairman Rajesh Kaji Shrestha urged to promote ICC Nepal as the Nepali business promoter in the outer world.

ICC general secretary Badri Prakash Ojha described the history and work of ICC Nepal saying it runs by the norms and values of World Trade Organization and other prominent government and private business organizations.