FNCCI lobbies for common economic strategy

Nepal’s private sector umbrella organisation has reiterated its demand for common minimum economic growth strategy from all political parties to ensure country’s prosperity. “We want political parties to prepare a common economic strategy in association with the private sector to ensure Nepal’s prosperity,” pointed out president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Suraj Vaidya, during an interaction held here today to discuss economic agendas that should be included in Nepali Congress party’s election manifesto meant for November 19 election. The industrialists and entrepreneurs present during the interaction, including FNCCI’s executive body, stressed that there was no alternative to providing mass employment opportunities citing it as a prerequisite for development.“Every year more than half of youths who enter the labour market go away to other countries due to absence of proper employment opportunities in homeland,” said Vaidya, pointing to absence of supporting environment for industrialisation and problems of energy crisis and security. “We want Nepali Congress to promise that if it wins it will ensure that businesses will be able to run smoothly without any threat,” he said. Nepali Congress leaders assured that their party supports capitalism and has been fighting for the rights to property and economic liberalisation. “Our party, since the very beginning, has supported the idea that country cannot be run properly without economic growth and prosperity,” said president of Nepali Congress, Sushil Koirala. Former finance minister and Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat pointed out that even hard-core socialist parties are towing the Nepali Congress initiated economic agendas –voluntary or not. “Other parties such as Maoists have also realised that capitalist ideals that we promote are necessary for social redistribution that they support,” pointed out Dr Mahat. He stressed that Nepali Congress policies introduced in early 1990s is responsible for current growth seen in banking, media, health and education sectors. However, he cautioned that Nepal is moving towards deindustrialisation as more industrialists are moving towards less labour-intensive service sectors due to difficulties posed by trade unions. Other leaders of Nepali Congress stressed that their party has never pressurised the private sector for donations. Entrepreneurs present during the interaction urged the party to recognise issues such as employment generation, energy production, security and agriculture promotion as main economic agendas in Nepali Congress’ manifesto.