BIRATNAGAR: Industrialists, businesspersons and Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) officials have recently held a discussion on issues related to revenue leakage at the Chamber of Industries Morang (CIM).
In the discussion, CIM President Rakesh Surana urged the DRI Director General Nawa Raj Dhungana to proceed with the action only after the investigation, distinguishing between intentional and accidental mistakes. He said that due to the crackdown on businesspersons based on suspicion, they are having a loss of social reputation and an atmosphere of fear and panic has been created and investment is shrinking. Surana emphasized that while discouraging illegal transactions, the state should create an environment to encourage those who are doing business in accordance with the law.
DRI Director General Dhungana said that there should be a collective effort to create an environment of trust between the government and the private sector and to control revenue leakage. Expecting the improvement of the internal trade in the coming days, he requested for the cooperation of all sectors in achieving the revenue target by doing business abiding by the law. He pointed out the need for reforms to reduce business and production costs and opined that both the government and private sector should be responsible for this.
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Koshi Province President Rajendra Raut asked to end the practice of checking the goods on the way even after the customs complete all the procedures. He stressed the need for arrangements for the entire procedure to be completed in one place.
CIM Immediate Past President Suyash Pyakurel emphasized the need to create a business-friendly environment by drawing attention to the fact that the state treats those involved in illegal activities and others doing business abiding by the law in the same way and this has caused a loss of morale among industrialists and businesspersons.
Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Province 1 President Pawan Sharda, vice presidents, executive committee members, Morang Merchants' Association (MMA), Inaruwa, Itahari, Jhumka, Sunsari Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, DRI officials and industrialists were present in the programme.
