Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has pledged to end administrative hassles, bribery, and unnecessary legal complications faced by the private sector.
Speaking at a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Monday, Wagle said businesses would no longer have to pay bribes, stand in long queues at government offices, or face detention over routine economic activities.
“The time for the private sector to suffer is over; we are your partners,” he said. “The government has adopted a policy of moving forward in collaboration with the private sector.”
Highlighting the sector’s key role in expanding investment and creating jobs, he urged businesses to focus on boosting investment to generate employment. “I have not come here to take bribes, nor will I allow anyone else to do so,” he said, adding that the government was committed to giving new momentum to the economy.
The Finance Minister also said the government would revise policies related to economic offenses. “Instead of imprisonment for minor financial irregularities, the government will prioritize monetary penalties. Industrialists and traders will not have to face jail in such cases,” he added.
However, Wagle made it clear that while the government would facilitate the private sector, it also expects honesty in return. “As the state becomes a partner, we expect the private sector to act with integrity,” he said, warning that the government would take strict action in cases of deliberate wrongdoing.
