Bagmati Province, FNCCI to cooperate on post-disaster rehabilitation, economic growth

KATHMANDU: Bagmati Province Chief Minister Kiran Thapa Magar and FNCCI President Anjan Shrestha held a meeting on Sunday to discuss post-disaster rehabilitation, investment promotion, and job creation in the province.

The discussions held at the FNCCI Secretariat in Teku focused on the damage caused by recent floods and landslides in Rasuwa and other districts, alongside strategies for rehabilitating affected industries, improving the investment climate, and revitalising provincial economic activities. Both sides committed to strengthening mutual coordination and identifying concrete areas of cooperation for economic development, private sector investment expansion, and entrepreneurship promotion.

Chief Minister Thapa commended the private sector's support in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of disaster-affected areas. He emphasised that cooperation with the FNCCI is necessary for the education of affected children, job creation, and the revitalisation of the local economy. Furthermore, he proposed adopting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the development of roads and other provincial infrastructure.

"We want to move forward considering the private sector as an important partner in the economic development of Bagmati Province. We must adopt the PPP model in infrastructure development. The provincial government is committed to facilitating and addressing the policy and practical issues faced by the private sector," the chief minister said.

FNCCI President Shrestha noted the organisation's active involvement in immediate relief, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts following the disaster. He affirmed that the FNCCI is prepared to work with the provincial government to create an environment conducive to resuming operations for affected businesses.

"FNCCI is looking to work on establishing new local markets, setting up hospitals, and rebuilding schools. Similarly, FNCCI is prepared to establish a Disaster Employment Bank, provide need-based training, and support those who wish to engage in business," he said. He added that the FNCCI remains positive about making cooperation with the provincial government more effective to expand investment and entrepreneurship across Bagmati Province.

Bagmati Province's Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning, Saral Sahayatri Paudel, suggested that a programme could be advanced in collaboration with the FNCCI by establishing a 'Disaster Labour Bank' to connect homeless citizens willing to work with employment opportunities. He also stressed the necessity of the FNCCI's support in linking local municipal and district production to wider markets.

Echoing the need for local engagement, FNCCI Senior Vice President Sur Krishna Vaidya expressed readiness to coordinate with the provincial government by identifying local problems and opportunities through regional business representatives across Bagmati Province.

Trade challenges with China were also raised during the meeting. FNCCI Treasurer Manish Lal Pradhan, Bagmati Province FNCCI Committee Chairman Bed Bahadur Shrestha, and FNCCI Central Executive Member Raj Kumar Karki raised concerns regarding the current state of northern border points. They noted that with the Nepal-China Rasuwa border completely closed, the Tatopani border in poor condition, and only Korala border currently operational, serious problems have arisen for bilateral trade, necessitating the urgent consideration of alternatives.