Kathmandu [Nepal], July 8 – Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday sought to reassure Nepal’s private sector, promising policy reforms and a more investment-friendly business environment as the government looks to revive economic activity and restore investor confidence.
In a high-level meeting with leading business bodies at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Shah held wide-ranging discussions on improving the country’s investment climate, easing the operation of industries and businesses, removing policy and procedural hurdles, creating jobs and boosting domestic production.
Calling the private sector a key partner in Nepal’s economic development, the prime minister said the government was committed to addressing the practical challenges faced by industrialists and entrepreneurs. He pledged to prioritise policy, legal and administrative reforms aimed at making Nepal more business-friendly.
The meeting comes as Nepal continues to grapple with sluggish economic growth, weak private investment and concerns from businesses over policy uncertainty and regulatory bottlenecks.
Business leaders urged the government to ensure greater policy stability, simplify public service delivery, encourage investment and institutionalise regular, result-oriented dialogue with the private sector.
Responding to the concerns, Shah said the government would take the recommendations seriously and direct relevant agencies to implement necessary reforms. He stressed that the government’s economic reform agenda would move forward in partnership with the private sector.
The discussion brought together top representatives from Nepal’s leading business organisations, including the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC). Senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and government advisers also attended the meeting.
The government hopes the engagement will pave the way for private sector-friendly policies, stronger industrial growth and closer cooperation between businesses and the state to accelerate Nepal’s economic recovery.
