Govt will not discriminate on the basis of political belief: PM

Kathmandu, Nov. 26

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said on Thursday that the government wouldn't discriminate among the businesses on the basis of their political belief.

“All of them are contributing to the national development and prosperity through economic activities, employment, tax payment and social harmony. The government is ready to support and collaborate with the private sector,” he said while addressing the 54^th General Assembly of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) organised at the PM’s Residence in Baluwatar. 

“However, we want a fair business from you in response,” he stated. “We promote national investment, business and industry as far as applicable.”

The Prime Minister expressed his desire to promote and enhance the capacity of national investors and enterprises to spur growth and employment.

“When we fail to lift the capacity of the national capitalists to make large investments, the country won’t benefit much. However, we want to invite foreign capital so have announced many facilities and discounts for the foreign investors,” he said in the message that was televised via various TV channels as well.

PM Oli urged the national entrepreneurs to make investment in the country since this is the land of opportunity and labour is available at a low cost.

According to him, maximum facilities, discounts and relief would be given to the investors even beyond the current legal provisions by amending them, if that is justifiable to save the enterprises from collapse due to the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Stating that the government was ready to listen to the demands, suggestions and grievances of the private sector, PM Oli said that a joint effort from the public and private sector was needed to convert the country into the export-powerhouse from the consumer market.

Talking about the recent crisis and challenges created by the pandemic, he said  minimising and addressing the impacts of the pandemic on the economy and implementing recovery programmes was the priority of the government.

He sought support from the FNCCI to help the government take the right measures to assist the business community. “The government is ready to move ahead in collaboration with the business community. The crisis could be fought only with joint efforts from the public and private sector,” he said.

He also stated that the business community might have been wondering while other economies had announced large stimulus and relief package for the business, but Nepal announced a rather small one.

“Financial capacity of the government is limited and we are offering the relief and support as per the size of our purse. We would even offer help more than the actual capacity of the government, yet it would be less than required,” he maintained.

President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Bhawani Rana requested for effective and prompt implementation of the relief and support programmes announced in budget and monetary policy for the current fiscal year.

She said that sick development projects should be completed in a fast-track method because it would help to announce new projects and attract investment from domestic and foreign investors.

“More investment should be attracted to hydroelectricity development, FNCCI is ready to cooperate with the government in this regard,” she said.

Senior Vice President of the FNCCI and President-elect Shekhar Golchha said that the economic outlook was not encouraging as income opportunities were shrunk, businesses and industries were running at minimum capacity and service sector's output was negative.

Running businesses and industries during these difficult times is a great feat, by doing so, they have contributed to the society and government equally, he said.

Stating that various programmes announced by the government were facing delayed implement and not much effective, Golchha said that the government should announce relief packages according to the impact of the pandemic on the business sectors.

“According to a study by the UNESCAP, Rs. 340 billion should be mobilised for the economic relief and rehabilitation.

“In such a situation, all the stakeholders should work efficiently and in an integrated manner. SMEs require special attention, they should be in priority of the government and its rescue and relief programmes,” he added.

“If we divide the risk and opportunity, it will benefit all,” said Golchha.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 November 2020.