Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has assured the business community that the government is ready to address the practical problems faced by industrialists and businesspeople.
During a discussions with representatives of the private sector on issues related to industry, business, the investment climate and economic reforms at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Wednesday, Shah discussed ways to energize the country’s economic activities, make business operations more conducive, create an investment-friendly environment, remove policy and procedural hurdles, boost private sector confidence, and promote employment generation and production growth.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister said the government sees the private sector as an important partner in achieving economic development, expanding investment, creating jobs and increasing production. He also expressed commitment to prioritizing necessary policy, legal, and administrative reforms to create a conducive environment for businesses.
During the discussion, private sector representatives presented suggestions on various issues ranging from promotion of industries and businesses to investment expansion, ensuring policy stability and simplifying service delivery. They also called for regular, result-oriented talks between the government and the private sector.
Taking the suggestions seriously, Prime Minister Shah said that necessary facilitation and reforms would be carried out through the concerned agencies. He clarified that the government would move forward in collaboration with the private sector in its economic reform drive.
During the meeting, private sector representatives also urged the Prime Minister to end the tendency of “detain first, hear later.” They complained that the practice of making arrests before completing investigations has weakened the morale of the private sector. Business leaders also demanded provisions for anticipatory bail in cases related to economic offenses.
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Anjan Shrestha and Industry Committee Chair Ujjwal Kumar Shrestha; Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Former President Rajesh Kumar Agrawal and Director General Dr Ghanshyam Ojha; Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC) President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal and Senior Vice President Deepak Malhotra, among others, were present in the discussion.
This is the first meeting between Prime Minister Shah and business leaders since the new government was formed on March 27.
