KATHMANDU: Minister for Cmmerce and Supplies Rajendra Maharo today said none should hold any protest programme that adversely affects the country’s development and public life.

At a programme of Nepal Freight Forwarders’ Association (NFFA) to mark 15th Cargo Day, Mahato said bandhs and strikes will hamper the drive to make a new Nepal when the country is passing through transition.

Mahato urged the private sector to play an important role by increasing foreign trade. He said freight forwarders also can play an important role in ensuring competitiveness and quality of foreign trade objects since Nepal is a member of international bodies like WTO.

On the occasion, NRB Governor Bijay Nath Bhattarai said freight forwarders should make their business more dynamic.

Commerce secretary Purushottam Ojha said the government will

make foreign trade systematic. Chairman of Nepal Chambers of Commerce Surendra Bir Malakar called for multi-modal transport for effectiveness in foreign trade.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce acting chairman Suraj Baidya said the country can achieve development only through private-public partnership.