Kathmandu, June 16:

Donor community representatives have expressed their views that development activities cannot be expedited without proper security across the country.

Donors expressed this views at a high-level interaction programme on ‘How International Communities and Private Sector Can Work Together for Nation Building’, organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on June 15. At a time when Maoists and seven party alliance (SPA) are holding talks for lasting peace, donors are taking a ‘wait and watch’ position as to how the government would come out with real implementation, said donor representatives.

Matthew Kahane, resident representative of UNDP, said that there is a need to develop a consensus economic package between political parties that will ultimately give space for expediting development activities.

Grace Ammalasirwadham, Sri Lankan envoy to Nepal, commented that Nepal holds treme-ndous potential in enhancing its economy, for which the environment needs to be productive. The ambassador also said that security is the biggest concern for development agents here.

Sohail Amin, Pakistani envoy to Nepal, opined that the tourism sector be given high priority to boost Nepal’s economy.

Dibya Mani Rajbhandary, president of Nepal-EU Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the business sector first has to think about national interests and sacrifice personal interests for national economic development. Our attitude and mindsets have to change if we are serious to work in a changed political context, said Rajbhandary. What is crucial is that business sector people must wipe off their financial weaknesses, he suggested.

President of FNCCI, Chandi Raj Dhakal, said that improvement in economic policies and governance are urgent for sustained growth, as Nepal is now preparing to enter into a new era of stability and rapid economic growth. The private sector is very willing to work with the donor community for the overall economic progress, he said adding that donors’ support would also be necessary in reconstruction and rehabilitation. At the same time, the private sector also has to build its capacity to utilise available resources for better productivity, he said.

Other donor representatives from different countries said that an investment package is needed to be developed to attract investment from big countries like China, India and other countries. For this, Nepal also needs to reform its labour policies.