Kathmandu, August 26:

The government is bringing the budget before mid-September, said the newly appointed finance minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai.

“The aim of the budget will be to bridge the gap between rich and poor,” he said while addressing a team of Nepal Chambers of Commerce here today.

He also assured the business community that the new government will help build confidence of the business community. “We will continue the programmes of the previous government based on their usefulness,” he assured the NCC team led by its president Surendra Bir Malakar.

The business community urged to bring a public oriented budget. “Public private partnership (PPP) will be one of our major modus operandi, he said answering them.

NCC president Surendra Bir Malakar said, “There are many potentials in agriculture, water resource, tourism, herbs and minerals in Nepal.”

“The government should provide subsidy for the agriculture sector to boost it,” he said adding that effective implementation of Minimum General Programme will help solve many problems.

However, Bhattarai said “Without peace development is not possible and now with new government people will try to maintain peace and provide security.”

Complaining about the regular strikes, banda and syndicate system, Malakar said that the business community is hopeful that they do not have to face any more of such hassles.

“Business and industrial areas should be declared politics free area,” he suggested.