KATHMANDU: Former Finance Ministers and industrialists have pointed out the need of amendment to and improvement in the preliminary draft of the new constitution-2072, citing it was not clear on the open and liberal economy.

At an interaction organised by the Media International here today, they expressed the view that the new constitution guaranteeing investment should be promulgated, adding sustainable economic development could not be achieved without promoting the private sector.

Stressing the need of promoting the private sector for the economic prosperity, former Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari said that the new constitution should not remain silent on the issue as industrial production would not be increased until an environment conducive for investment was created.

He said the new constitution should be promulgated with focus on promoting the economy along with social justice.

Similarly, former Finance and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa said that the preliminary draft of new constitution was brought against the concept of liberalism. He expressed the view that the new constitution should be clear on the issue of economy.

Likewise, former finance state minister Hari Khewa Limbu said that the draft has failed to address the economic issues. He said, "There is no alternative to the three-pillar economy.

General Secretary at the Nepal Chamber of Commerce Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal said that there should be a provision of competitive tax system instead of the progressive tax system and added that there was the need of new constitution raising the living standard of people.

Similarly, Chairman of Nepal Trade Association Kumar Karki expressed the view that special priority should be given to the issues of public concern rather than political issues.