Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has said that the role of media and media persons was significant in the country’s economic development, policy reforms and investment promotion.

Speaking at a programme organized in the capital today, he said the role played by media in establishing policy agenda and concerns of private sector forwarded by FNJ in the national discourse was commendable.

On the occasion, Dhakal said that journalists have played the role of a bridge between the government, private sector and citizens. FNJ President Dhakal took the programme towards the end of his term as an opportunity to strengthen the relation between the private sector and the media sector.

According to him, the FNCCI has been working for policy advocacy, investment promotion and expansion of international relations although the economy has been affected due to economic contraction and recent activities following COVID-19. Although the economy was affected due to various reasons, the FNCCI worked to resolve the economic crisis, create investment-friendly environment, strengthen public-private partnerships, create employment and boost the morale of the private sector.

He said, “The FNCCI has made efforts to build a common view on the issues of economic development through legal reforms, formation of High Level Economic Reform Commission and implementation of its suggestions and national economic debate.”

Stating that the FNCCI has made significant achievements in policy-level reform in the period of three years, he said it had actively participated in the policy-making process, moving ahead from the role of putting forth traditional demands.

Stating that the FNCCI has brought the government, political parties, regulatory bodies and the private sector together through the national economic debate, Dhakal said that the High Level Economic Reform Suggestions Commission was formed as a result of this and more than 30 laws were amended as per the recommendations of the Commission.

He also expressed his confidence that the new government has approved the Private Sector Protection and Promotion Strategy (PSPP) as per the recommendations of the FNCCI, which will ensure the safety and dignity of investment and businesses.

Dhakal said that the draft of bilateral investment agreement has been prepared at the initiation of the FNCCI and the process for signing agreements with different countries has been initiated. Investment summits and dialogues have been organized in India, China, UAE, Qatar and the UK among other countries, he said.

According to him, the Rs 10 billion ‘Nepal Development Public Limited’ has been established at the initiative of FNCCI to promote domestic investment and it has presented a new model of investment in infrastructure and productive sectors.