Govt positive to address issues facing construction sector: PM Shah

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has held discussions with representatives of the construction sector as part of efforts to create an atmosphere conducive to investment and economic reform through the development of physical infrastructure.

At a meeting with officials from the Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal (FCAN), at his office, PM Shah said the construction sector plays a vital role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and building infrastructure. He pledged that the government is committed to addressing the challenges facing infrastructure projects.

Shah stressed that collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to ensure development and construction projects are completed on time, and to make development work more dignified, transparent, responsible and results-oriented.

Attending entrepreneurs and FCAN officials included President Nicholas Pandey, Senior Vice President Ramji Pant, General Secretary Shivahari Ghimire, Bagmati Province Contractors' Association Vice Chairman Balkrishna Thapa, and former Chairman and Adviser Jayram Lamichhane.

They told the prime minister they face numerous hurdles in the construction sector, including delayed payments, time extensions, contract management, stringent deadlines, price adjustments, and banking and investment concerns. They underlined the need for more effective cooperation between the government and the private sector to ensure the sustainability of the construction industry.

PM Shah's chief adviser Kumar Byanjankar, adviser on information and communication technology Bibek Mishra, and principal private secretary Subas Sharma also attended the discussion.