Kathmandu. Industrialist-businessman and lawmaker Binod Chaudhary has expressed confidence that the government and private sector can move ahead in the same rhythm after the two-hour long meeting with Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen).

Sharing his views on Facebook after meeting the Prime Minister, Chaudhary said that the discussion was held on the overall economic development of the country, challenges in the private sector, investment climate and economic reforms.TAG_OPEN_p_15

} He said that the main expectations of the private sector are a stable government, transparent administration, an end to corruption and middlemen, and strict control of financial crimes. He also said that the issue of providing a better environment to the entrepreneurs doing good work should be given to the Prime Minister.

According to Chaudhary, although the government has given positive signals about economic reforms, there is still confusion among the businessmen due to the delay in reaching the implementation level. He said that there is a need to improve the working style of the forest and mining sector, hydropower projects, PPA, investment approval and the working style of the concerned bodies.

He said that although the country has sufficient liquidity, falling interest rates and investable resources, the expected investment has not been expanded due to policy and administrative complexities. He also suggested that there is a need for a mechanism to take immediate decisions in the Prime Minister’s Office to solve such problems.

Chaudhary stressed on the need for regular dialogue between the private sector and the government. He said that Prime Minister Balen has been positive on this issue.

In his Facebook status, he has said that there is a need for partnership between the government and private sector in ambitious projects such as East-West railway, fertilizer factory, tourism infrastructure, air connectivity and export increase for long-term economic development.TAG_OPEN_p_10

Similarly, to develop Nepal as an ‘education hub’ and ‘medical education hub’, a policy to attract world-class universities and educational institutions is necessary, he said.TAG_OPEN_p_9

Stating that the discussion with the Prime Minister was very cordial, Chaudhary claimed that there was no difference of opinion between the government and the private sector on any major economic issue. He expressed the belief that the Nepalese economy would gain a new momentum and boost the confidence of the investors if the agreements reached during the discussion could be implemented soon.TAG_OPEN_p_8