NCC delegation meets commerce, industry ministers

KATHMANDU, July 28:

A delegation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) led by its newly elected president Rajesh Kaji Shrestha separately met Minister for Industry Karna Bahadur Thapa, Minister for Commerce and Supplies Sunil Bahadur Thapa, and Chief Secretary Lila Mani Poudel at their respective offices on Monday.

The delegation requested Industry Minister Thapa to take necessary initiatives for early endorsement of pending bills related to the industrial sector from the parliament. “In the meeting, Shrestha told Minister Thapa that country´s trade deficit is increasing due to slowdown in production activities in the country,” a statement issued on Monday said. NCC officials also drew the attention of Minister Thapa toward labor problems, load-shedding, highest taxes and lack of infrastructures, among others. Minister Thapa assured the delegation that the government would announce different facilities to the industrial sector in the Industrial Enterprises Bill.

Similarly, the delegation requested Commerce Minister Sunil Bahadur Thapa to make necessary amendments to the Trade Policy of 2008.

A Nepal Chamber of Commerce delegation, led by its president Rajesh Kaji Shrestha (4th from left), meets Minister for Commerce and Supplies Sunil Bahadur Thapa (center) on Monday. (Photo Courtesy: Ncc)

During the meeting with Chief Secretary Lila Mani Poudel, Shrestha said: “It will be difficult for Nepal to gain the ´developing country´ status by 2022 with the existing capacity and working style of the government and private sector.” He also requested the chief secretary for effective implementation of the government policies and budgetary programs.

Addressing the delegation, Chief Secretary Poudel said that he would play a coordinative role between government and the private sector for economic development of the country.

Immediate Past President Suresh Kumar Basnet, Second Vice President Rajendra Malla, General Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, Treasurer Rajendra Aryal; secretaries Nil Kanth Chaulagain, Devendra Bhakta Shrestha, Santosh Kumar Pandey and Parshu Ram Dahal, and Joint Treasurer Raja Ratna Tuladhar were in the delegation, according to the statement.

Source: Republica