FNCCI president urges parties to make economic development a shared priority

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal has urged all political parties to make economic development a shared priority ahead of the parliamentary elections.

Speaking at the inauguration of Waling Festival-2082 in Syangja district on Wednesday, Dhakal asked parties to include the private sector’s proposals for growth in their election manifestos. He said the private sector has long sought industrial expansion and job creation and that these agendas should take precedence in the forthcoming polls.

“The development of the national economy is the first priority at present. Preparations for the parliamentary elections are currently underway in the country. Let economic development be the common agenda of all parties. I wish to make this request to all political parties,” he said.

He added that the private sector has consistently argued that the economy should remain a common agenda regardless of which government is in power. Dhakal said FNCCI has brought parties together to debate the issue and has called for a high-level Economic Reforms Recommendation Commission; some of the commission’s recommendations are already being implemented.

Dhakal said since he assumed the FNCCI leadership, the chamber has amended laws that hindered investment and updated the FNCCI statute to make it more contemporary.