Kathmandu, February 7:

A conference of 12 business and trading associations, including Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), held today has decided to open up shopping centres and start business operations from February 9, stating that Nepal bandhs will make the country ‘bankrupt’ and, create difficulties to cope up with financial hardship in the days ahead.

Various business associations including FNCCI, Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Bishalbazar Trading Association (BTA), Suraj Arcade Business Association (SABA), R B Complex Trading Association, Ratna Plaza Trading Association (RPTA), Pashupati Plaza Trading Association (PPTA), Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal (FCAN), Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Scale Industries (FNCSSI) and Nepal Supermarket and Departmental Stores Association (SDSA) have made an unanimous decision to start businesses, states a press release issued here today by NCC on behalf of all the organisations.

Businessmen said that they would gather at Newroad area at 10:30 am on Thursday and open up all shops and businesses, for which they sought co-operation from all the sectors, stated the joint release of 12 business associations.

“The opening up of shops and business centres is not to defy bandhs but to stay alive and pay our bank loans, pay office rent, salary to the staff and other expenses,” states the release.

The business community has stated that the economy is in a critical situation as all industries, trading and tourism sectors are facing difficulties, due to inconvenient environment across the country.

The bandh has not only affected the business community but also the common people and consumers in a great extent, further states the release.