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VOL. 27, NO. 20, January 25, 2007 (Magh 11 2064 B.S.)
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NBCCI AGM
Call for High Growth
Nepal Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (NBCCI) 12th Annual General Meeting calls for peaceful environment
By A CORRESSPONDENT
Although it was a small gathering of industrialists, businessmen, government officials and foreign diplomats, the 12th Annual General Meeting of Nepal Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry concluded with an important message calling to restore peace and stability in the industrial sector.
Despite singing the peace agreement with Maoists more than a year ago, Nepal is yet to see complete peace and stability and there is growing unrest, extortion and close down of industries by trade union workers. As the country has been passing through a transitional phase preparing for the elections to Constituent Assembly, the meeting of the bilateral industrial group is meaningful
“Past one year has been one of great hope and limited deliverance but hope nevertheless. We cannot just sit back and hope that everything will fall into place and the country will see new heights of growth all on its own,” said Mahendra Shrestha, president of NBCCI. “We the business community consider ourselves to be the prime movers of change, specially on the economic font, then we must also stand up to the occasion and put in our two bits.”
At a time when the country has been passing through a very critical time with determination of law and order situation and industrial unrest, the long term investment for industrialization has hampered. “There needs a national consensus to take the country forward. Sustainable peace is a pre-requisite for economic development and that targeted growth rates are too modest,” said industrialist and immediate past president of NBCCI Rajendra Kumar Khetan. “We must utilize skills and strength of tens of thousands of SLC drops out to bring the economic change in the country.”
Although political instability continues, planners argue that the country can achieve a modest economic growth. “Despite all instability, Nepal achieved a growth of 4.5 percent in the last year and there would be an average of 5.5 growths in the coming three years. We are coming up with a 3 year plan to achieve such targets,” said Dr. Jagdish Chandra Pokharel, vice chairman of National Planning Commission.
There was big progress in last year particularly in tourism sector when record number of tourists visited Nepal. “There was a good deal to celebrate thelast. Activities have taken place which helped build confidence that Nepal is firmly set on the road to peace,” said British ambassador to Nepal and patron of NBCCI Dr. Andrew Hall. “Upcoming polls need to be held this time.”
Industrialists too have their own complains against the government procedures. If the government wants to achieve high economic growth, it must create conducive environment in the country.
“The government is ready to provide all necessary support to business and industrial sector,” said Rameshwor Khanal, fiancé secretary (Revenue). “Only through the private participation, we can achieve high economic growth.”
The AGM, among others, endorsed its annual programs and discussed the programs launched by its. The discussion also highlighted the country’s overall situation and necessary steps to improve the present situation.
