CHITWAN, Dec 14: Senior Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal has said that the country’s industrialists and businessmen are partners of the government and added that the country’s prosperity is not possible without the development of the private sector.
Addressing the 21st General Assembly of the Ratnanagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday, Dhakal said the government should look at the private sector as a partner and play a role in creating an industry-friendly environment in the country.
Senior Vice President Dhakal said that the government has not been able to help the private sector in time of pandemic as well. He argued that governments at all three levels should change their approach to the private sector.
He argued that if a project is built in the country, the government should be a partner for that particular project like the industrialists, because the state gets a few percent of the profits from the project as tax. That is why the government has a responsibility to create a better environment for its partners, he said.
Dhakal also said that it would not take much time for rapid economic development if the local, state and central governments work hand-in-hand with entrepreneurs as partners.
Giving an example, Dhakal, who is also the Chairman of the IME Group, said, “It took Malaysia less than 20-22 years to reach this stage of economic development because of long serving Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohammad.” I had the opportunity to spend a day with him in Nepal and in the process I asked how Malaysia has made so much progress in such a short period?
Mahathir’s response was: “We have always encouraged investment, gave morale and environment to investors. Today we are reaping the rewards.”
He said that priority should be given to foreign investors as well as domestic investors for rapid economic development. Expanding the capacity of indigenous investors, giving them a conducive environment will further benefit the country, he said.
The present leadership of the FNCCI would move forward with one voice by embracing the sentiments and aspirations of all the representative, he said.
Dhakal said that after the recent 54th general assembly and election of the federation, there is no opposition in the working committee or among business associates from all over the country. He urged the businessmen of Ratnanagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry to work in the unified way.
