Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Industrialists of Karnali Province have submitted an 11-point memorandum to the Karnali Province government, accusing them of disappointing entrepreneurs and attracting investors despite being rich in culture, civilization and natural resources.

Industrialists have expressed disappointment over the government’s move, saying it was the government’s weakness to attract investment in the state. At a press meet held at Birendranagar on Monday, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Karnali Province Committee President Padam Bahadur Shahi lamented that the province government did not play a role in boosting the morale of the private sector which was suffering due to COVID, earthquake, GenG performance, international price hike and high interest rate of banks.

Accusing the decisions and policies of the state government of hurting the private sector in the province due to lack of industry, industry, investment and infrastructure, he said he submitted an 11-point memorandum to Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel seeking support for the development and prosperity of the province. These include operating the Karnali Highway 24 hours a day without interruption and the start-off entrepreneur program in collaboration with the private sector.

Among the demands put forth are the operation of regular flights to Karnali Province, review of Karnali government’s decision not to hold programmes in hotels, operation of Koseli Griha free of cost and policy reforms and responsibility of running fairs and festivals to the private sector.

Among the demands of the meeting are establishment of Karnali province-level industrial tourism, industry and trade exhibition venue, operation of weekly haat bazaar for the promotion of local agriculture and entrepreneurship, reduction in the existing rent rate and extension of the agreement period for the promotion of entrepreneurs in the micro industrial village and allowing hotel business to operate 24 hours a day in the main market areas along the Karnali highway.