Kathmandu, December 27

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the largest umbrella body of the private sector, has decided to exert pressure on the government, agitating parties and major political parties to end ongoing protests in the Tarai through dialogue.

The decision was taken by the meeting of the executive committee of the FNCCI held today.

“Protests, which have prolonged for over four months, and blockade on Nepal-Indian border points have created severe repercussions on the economy, promoted black-marketing, forced people to lead difficult lives and even caused deaths of people,” says a statement issued today by the FNCCI. “All concerned should sit for talks to end the crisis.”

The executive committee of the private sector body has also decided to urge the government to guarantee security of businesspersons and their properties.

“Today, an unidentified group set four excavators and two tippers, belonging to Kurintar-based Annapurna Limestone Factory, on fire. Yesterday, another unidentified group set the vehicle of CEO of Pepsi Cola on fire,” says the statement. “We condemn these acts.”

The FNCCI has also decided to call on the government to ease supply of petroleum products and raw materials, lack of which has forced closure of many factories in the country.

The meeting has also decided to condemn actions ‘taken against some of the entrepreneurs under the pretext of curbing black-marketing’. “The guilty should be punished as per legal provisions. But those who are innocent should not bear the brunt,” says the statement.

Earlier, the FNCCI had expressed serious concerns about the burgeoning black marketing of all the essential goods, including petroleum products.

It had also warned of the possibility of institutionalisation of the parallel economy if all unethical and illegal activities like black-marketing were not controlled.