All people are hopeful that the budget for the fiscal year 2007-08 would take the nation in path of progression.

President of Morang Industry Organisation Ashok Murarka said the budget brings a new concept for the industry and business sector but has not taken a clear stance on investment in industry.

Provisions such as establishing agriculture market centre, constructing roads and banning bandhs on highways to make the agriculture sector sustainable are very good but the government should implement the budget seriously, he said.

The budget is sensitive towards making a new Nepal, said former president of Morang Merchants’ Organisation Shanker Lal Agrawal, adding that, policies reform in key areas like agriculture, hydroelectricity and export sector would head the overall economy towards a positive direction.

Economist Bhesh Prasad Dhamala lauded the budget and stressed on political commitment to create a peaceful environment for its effective implementation.

NEPALGUNJ

Industrialists and businessmen here have given a mixed opinion on the budget for fiscal 2007-08. Achyut Prasai, central member of FNCCI said the budget has covered all sides.

Expressing his dissatisfaction towards the budget, Damodar Acharya, president of Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) termed the budget as ‘traditional’. Satisha Chandra Agrawal, former president of NCCI, said the budget has focused on the west and the targeted success can be achieved in the region if it is implemented effectively. Its good aspect is to bring special economic programmes for the mid-western development region, said industrialist Kapil Adhikari.

JHAPA

Experts and industrialists here said the budget has focused on Constituent Assembly (CA) elections and the rest of the issues it has talked about are traditional. They also raised dubts and concerns over effective implementation of policies and programmes envisioned by the budget for 2007-08.

The budget would not be meaningful if political parties do not express commitment towards its implementation. They said that the budget-policy for industries, road, highway security and development are very positive.