.JPG)
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday held discussions with the politicians, private sector leaders, economists and stakeholders on the country's current economic situation.
The prime minister is consulting with the stakeholders and experts to fix the country's economy as the economic activities have not progressed despite several attempts of the government.
Earlier on Monday, PM Dahal discussed with the officials of different ministries, National Planning Commission, Nepal Rastra Bank and others.
In Tuesday's discussions, PM Dahal apprised the participants of the government’s wish to collect recommendations from different sides citing the country's economy was not free from pressure though the economy was gradually improving.
"Some indicators of the economy are positive but it is not free from pressure. Further consultations are required to resolve the problems seen at present," PM Dahal added.
Likewise, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal said that the demand side has shrunk and the business community has witnessed insurmountable distress.
He shared that the private sector was facing more hardships as the government turned a deaf ear to their challenges.
At the meeting, the private sector raised issues such as deficit government accounts, increment of budget on the heading of fiscal management, and decline in capital expenditure, price inflation remaining over 7% in the last 20 months, operation of cement and rod manufacturing industries in nominal cost and trouble in the operation of small and medium entrepreneurs.
The private sector has stressed the need for the state to increase capital spending and enable investment-friendly environment.
The recommendations furnished by the private sector include evaluating Nepal's sovereign image, increasing electricity supply, bringing the constructed airports into operation prioritising the tourism sector and expediting road expansion.
The FNCCI has drawn the government's attention to the compulsion of Nepali students to get education in the Indian border area while stopping the establishment of new nursing colleges and the flight of foreign capital.
The private sector has recommended to the government the measures the Nepal Rastra Bank should adopt.
The FNCCI had put forth a proposal for the formation of a high-level mechanism headed by the prime minister in the course of the economic summit hosted on October 12.
Prime Minister Dahal said the process to this effect has already started. He further said he was aspiring to receive inputs and deliberations as to how such mechanism will work in resolving existing economic problems.
