NCC urges Home Minister to ensure security, boost business morale

KATHMANDU: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has urged newly appointed Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal to ensure security in a manner that boosts the morale of entrepreneurs and businesspeople.

A delegation led by NCC president Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal met Minister Aryal at Singha Durbar today and congratulated him on his appointment.

Agrawal said the attacks on government and private property during the protests were regrettable and had a negative impact on the business environment.

He said, "Private sector makes a large contribution to the country’s economic development and job creation. It accounts for more than 81% of the country’s investment, and recent developments have raised serious questions about business security."

He stated that a peaceful environment is essential for the protection of private sector property and business stability.

The NCC called on the state to take the initiative to secure private investment and instil confidence in investors. It proposed a special mechanism for the rapid exchange of information between the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Nepal Rastra Bank, security agencies and the private sector, and suggested that Minister Aryal devise a security plan to protect economic infrastructure during natural disasters or times of anarchy.

It also recommended that security agencies receive training in economic security, digital security and crisis management, and that public awareness programmes on economic security be run. The NCC expressed its commitment to assist with the reconstruction of government property damaged during the protests.

Meanwhile, the NCC delegation inspected the damaged Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket in Naxal and met managing director Min Bahadur Gurung, expressing deep sorrow over the damage.

The NCC has issued an internal circular to entrepreneurs and businesspeople to collect details of damage to the private sector during the protests.