NCC appeals to businesses to act responsibly after floods ahead of festivals

KATHMANDU: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has appealed to industrialists and business owners to conduct business with restraint and responsibility. The appeal follows recent devastating floods that have disrupted supply systems, transport and commercial operations, and comes as major festivals approach.

The NCC said the flooding has caused extensive loss of life and property and has severely disrupted transport networks, supply chains, trade and market management. Damage at the northern Rasuwagadhi border crossing has hindered imports, exports and product movements, complicating relief and resupply efforts.

With Teej, Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, Nepal Sambat and Ramadan approaching, the private sector organisation has urged businesses to maintain a steady supply of essential commodities, prevent artificial shortages, avoid unfair price hikes and prioritise consumer welfare as market demand rises.

NCC urged importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers to act responsibly by utilising alternative routes around blocked highways, securing sufficient storage and managing efficient distribution networks. It added that the private sector must prepare jointly to ensure essential goods remain continuously available.

The NCC said business owners ought to look beyond profit to meet their social responsibilities during times of crisis, and that the government should focus on facilitation rather than strict control, while consumers should remain calm and refrain from panic buying or hoarding.

Warning against exploiting the crisis, the NCC said no entity should use the difficult conditions to secure unfair commercial gains and stressed that the private sector must maintain market trust through responsible action.

The chamber noted that post-disaster market management can be eased if both the government and the private sector work together in a flexible, responsible and collaborative manner, and it reiterated its call for the business community to avoid unnecessary stockpiling, artificial shortages and unwarranted price increases while urging all stakeholders to unite in providing relief and reassurance to the public ahead of the upcoming celebrations.