Butwal, December 21

Vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun has said investment-friendly environment is needed for industrial development in the country.

Inaugurating the 14th National Industrial Expo-2074 organised in Butwal today, the vice-president said partnership between the government and private sector was needed for protection, promotion and development of business that is the backbone of the country’s economy.

He also appealed to the private sector to augment the investment for industrial development, as fully investment-friendly environment would be created in the country following the stability and an end to political transition.

Vice-president Pun also praised the role of the private sector for industrial development, growth of national economy and employment generation; and drew the attention of the government to clear the procedural hassles that impeded development. He said, “New era has begun in the country and this era will be a period of economic prosperity. Our competition now should be for prosperity.”

According to him, large-scale industries, construction of hydropower projects, modern agricultural production, commercialisation of herbs, tourism development and rapid development of infrastructure were the bases for economic prosperity and tools for economic revolution.

“Employment can be generated for millions of youths to reduce poverty and wipe out the compulsion of Nepalis to leave for foreign jobs,” the vice-president said.

During the programme, former finance minister and UML leader Bishnu Prasad Poudel said the country was heading towards political stability by ending the transition period along with the constitution’s implementation.

The expo was organised to promote the markets of domestic products and around 600,000 visitors are expected to visit the expo.