FNCCI urges action to uphold rule of law, protect private sector after Gen‑Z protests

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has urged decisive action to ensure full observance of the rule of law and to secure a peaceful business environment after reporting damage to the private sector during the Gen‑Z protests on September 8 and 9.

At a meeting at the FNCCI Secretariat in Teku on Monday, FNCCI officials told members of the High‑Level Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24, 2082, that the protests involved wrongful infiltration, attacks and vandalism targeting businesses, and outlined the resulting impact on the country’s commercial climate. Commission chair, former Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki, and other members collected information on losses and related issues.

FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal said private sector is the backbone of the economy and called for a stronger role for state mechanisms to protect businesses and prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Dhakal asked that the commission’s recommendations emphasise steps to uphold the rule of law and maintain a secure environment for commerce. “The private sector does not work only for itself. It contributes to revenue and employment. The government, commission, political parties, and the general public must understand and make others understand that the private sector is the backbone of the economy,” he said.

Commission Chair Karki said he was confident a factual report covering all aspects of the incidents would be prepared and that the commission’s suggestions would be useful for future policy formulation. He reiterated that protecting the private sector is a responsibility of the state.

Present at the meeting from FNCCI were Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha, Vice Presidents Sur Krishna Vaidya, Hem Raj Dhakal, Jyotsna Shrestha and Treasurer Bharat Raj Acharya. From the commission’s side, former AIG Bigyan Raj Sharma and legal expert Bishweshwar Prasad Bhandari attended.