FNCCI demands performance assessment of contractors

Kathmandu, Feb. 18: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) demanded that the government should conduct performance assessment of the contractors involved in the construction of infrastructure projects.

The FNCCI also asked the government that it should warn the contractors to conclude the work within the given deadline. 

Most of the infrastructure projects such as hydroelectricity, roads, bridges and irrigation in the country are facing the cost related problems and time overrun which has added burden on the part of the government and frustration among the people and business community. 

“Critical infrastructure projects should be completed in time and should have good quality,” said Bhawani Rana, president of the FNCCI. 

The business body demanded that the government should bring about ‘white paper’ on the national pride projects at the earliest and ensure that all projects complete in time. 

“We urge the government to announce 2018-2028 as the ‘Nation Building Decade’ and develop plans and strategies as well as ensure policy stability and investment security in order to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” said Rana. 

According to her, while developing the FDI policy, special attention should be given to the investors from the two neighbouring countries – India and China. If the investment from the neighbouring countries can be attracted, investors of other countries will be attracted to Nepal. 

The FNCCI also said that the government must ensure that there wouldn’t be double taxation with the implementation of the federal system. It also urged the government to bring down the doing business cost in the country.

“The Nepali business community and the government should learn from the young Indian states such as Telangana while implementing the taxation and other policies that have their direct impact on the business,” said Umesh Lal Shrestha, vice president of the FNCCI. 

Senior vice president of the organisation Shekhar Golchha said that the private sector was ready to collaborate with the governmentsin reemployment generation and other pertinent economic agenda. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 February 2018.