PM Balen Shah holds first meeting with private sector on economic reforms

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balen Shah on Wednesday held his first meeting with representatives of the private sector to discuss industrial development, the investment climate and economic reforms.

The meeting, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, focused on revitalising the economy, making it easier to operate businesses, creating a more investment-friendly environment, removing policy and procedural barriers, boosting private sector confidence, and promoting employment and production.

During the discussion, Prime Minister Shah described the private sector as an important partner in the country’s economic development, investment expansion, job creation and production growth. He said the government was committed to addressing the practical challenges faced by businesses.

He also pledged to prioritise policy, legal and administrative reforms to create a more business-friendly environment.

Representatives of the private sector called for measures to promote industries, expand investment, ensure policy stability, simplify public service delivery and establish regular, result-oriented dialogue between the government and businesses.

Prime Minister Shah said the government would take the recommendations seriously and implement necessary reforms through the concerned agencies. He added that the government would work closely with the private sector to advance its economic reform agenda.

The meeting was attended by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Anjan Shrestha, Industry Committee Chair Ujjwal Kumar Shrestha, former Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) President Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, CNI Director General Dr. Ghanshyam Ojha, Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal and Senior Vice President Deepak Malhotra.

Participants expressed confidence that the high-level dialogue would help promote industry, improve the investment environment, strengthen cooperation between the government and the private sector, and support the formulation of business-friendly policies.