PM Oli meets Entrepreneurs after taking over Finance Ministry from Yubraj Khatiwada

3 years ago

PM Oli meets Entrepreneurs after taking over Finance Ministry from Yubraj Khatiwada

Entrepreneurs have demanded that the restrictions be relaxed with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Finance Minister Dr. Oli, who took over the ministry after Yuvaraj Khatiwada stepped down, interacted with the leadership of the private sector on Sunday.

In the process, the businessmen have suggested relaxing the lockdown. The private sector has responded positively to Oli's call for discussions and his interest in helping the stalled economy and industry.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Bhavani Rana said that the impact of Covid on the industry and business and how to move forward was discussed during the meeting with the Prime Minister.

She said that discussions have also been held on easing the lockdown and continuing the work by adopting security measures in the industry and business. The federation had informed the Prime Minister about the current situation by including about a dozen issues.

President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Satish Kumar More and President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kaji Shrestha also suggested steps to be taken by the government to uplift the current situation of the private sector.

Chairman of the chamber Shrestha said that it was appropriate to allow economic activities by changing the modalities of the injunction but it was not good to force them to  pay taxes in the midst of the injunction.

He also hoped that some changes would be seen in the industry and business sector as the Prime Minister took the suggestions of businessmen with interest. He demanded an extension of the tax payment period.

Businessmen suggested that the bank's interest rate be fixed at 6 percent for three years, non-performing industries not having to pay electricity demand charges, increase development expenditure, suspend bargaining with workers for two years and to downsize industries that want to reduce production capacity. Entrepreneurs have said that these issues were discussed.