Kathmandu, July 23

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) — the largest umbrella body of the private sector — has urged the CPN Maoist led by Netra Bikram Chand to withdraw the strike scheduled for tomorrow citing it will hit the investment climate in the country.

Issuing a press statement today, FNCCI said that such activities will dissuade investors who are optimistic about the country’s future with the ongoing preparations for the promulgation of the new constitution.

FNCCI has requested all the political forces to play a constructive role in the constitution making process instead of resorting to protests and strikes.

“We have bitter experiences of such strikes, which were one of the responsible factors for the downturn of the country’s economy,” the FNCCI statement said, adding, “Strike has a larger impact on the economy and society, and will hinder people’s access to their basic human rights like education and health, among others.”

As the country is gradually limping back to normalcy after the earthquake, the strike would have an adverse impact on livelihoods of quake victims and micro and small enterprises located in the quake-hit areas, FNCCI said.