KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that construction entrepreneurs have an important role in making the national economy vibrant.
Addressing the 46th Convention of the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors' Associations (IFAWPCA) in Kathmandu today, President Paudel said the physical infrastructure plays a crucial role in the economic development of any country.
IFAWPCA is the umbrella organisation of contractors from 19 Asian and Western Pacific countries.
The head of state asserted that the construction companies working in the physical infrastructure development sector should adopt special awareness for combating the growing natural disasters due to climate change.
"I see the need for IFAWPCA to raise the climate change agenda with priority, stressing on building nature-friendly and sustainable infrastructures in the context of countries affiliated to IFAWPCA suffering much from natural disasters along with climate change by internalising the principle that we will exist only if the Earth exists," President Paudel said.
Stating that looking at the present world it is found that only countries achieving notable development in the physical infrastructure sector have made economic progress, he reminded that the time has come when we also pay special attention to other aspects of the infrastructure development.
"Physical infrastructure development plays an important role in the economic development of any country. It is necessary that those working in this sector pay special attention to coping with the natural disasters that have been increasing due to the climate change impact," the President said.
Recalling that United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres who recently visited Nepal also attached high importance to the climate change agenda, President Paudel urged one and all to work together for the construction of nature-friendly and climate-resilient infrastructures by cutting down the carbon emission.
The President stressed the need for the physical infrastructure sector to further expand technology-friendly practices in the context of the world already becoming technology-friendly.
