Kathmandu. The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) held separate meetings with former Prime Minister and CpN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

In a meeting with the newly elected president birendra Raj Pandey,the former prime minister said the economy would not be strong unless there was strong collaboration with the private sector. He said that whether he was the Prime Minister or not, he gave high priority to the issues of the private sector. Former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said that the Confederation has become a capable organization due to research-centric factual suggestions.

Newly-elected President pandey said that the confederation is working with the goal of achieving the size of the country’s economy by $ 100 billion and double digit economic growth in the next decade. Stating that preliminary studies have shown that eight sectors should be kept at the centre to achieve this goal, he said the government, political parties should give high priority to legal and policy reforms.

Similarly, in a discussion with Home Minister Lekhak, he has been urged to take effective steps to stop illegal trade in the border areas. Pandey said the illegal trade has affected the domestic industries and also affected the government’s revenue.

Home Minister Lekhak said the home secretary-level meeting of the Governments of Nepal and India would discuss ways to stop illegal trade in the border areas. He also said that the Ministry is committed to control illegal imports and create an environment for tourists to come easily. Police Chief Deepak Thapa was also present in the meeting with the Home Minister.