KATHMANDU: Entrepreneurs and politicians stressed on protection of life and property as major agenda for the new constitution. Without constitutional guarantee of life and property, economic development is not possible, they said in an interaction organised by Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) here today.

“Economic issues are

in the back burner in the new constitution making process,” said president of CNI Binod Kumar Chaudhary. “Political polarisation has been disturbing in setting economic agenda,” he said asking the political parties to be clear on economic issues.

Constituent Assembly member Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani asked for three major rights — security of life and property, incetives for people and environment for survival, and growth of industries — to boost economic activities in the country.

Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, on the occasion, pointed out need to explore new resources. “Natural resources only can not make the nation prosperous,” he said adding that Nepal should develop skilled human resource also.

Key-note speaker Sri Lankan minister for export development and international trade Prof G L Peiris advised Nepali political leaders to critically adopt experiences of other countries in making of new constitution. “Nepal sho-uld learn from Sri Lanka.”