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Kathmandu Saturday September 16, 2000 Bhadra 31, 2057.
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FNCCI observes AGM
By a Post Reporter
KATHMANDU, Sept 15 - Addressing the 34th Annual General
Meeting of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Deputy Prime
Minister Ram Chandra Poudel said the government was ready to correct any weaknesses in
standing laws and polices to address the problems of business community.
"The government is ready to provide facilities and
security to the business community," he pleaded.
He also stressed on the need to maintain transparency at all
levels. "If the government, business community and donors assisting in Nepal's
development endeavour maintain transparency, it will bring a qualitative change in the
Nepalese society," said he.
Addressing the AGM, Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya said he
was committed to cut down the discretionary power of bureaucracy in tax administration but
"business community should also help the government by maintaining true account and
actual valuation at customs point," said he.
He also urged FNCCI and Nepal Chamber of Commerce to take
initiation to enforce transparency in the business community.
Acharya discussed in length the efforts made by government to
take on corruption. " Once the bills tabled by the government in parliament to
control corruption and to strengthen Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority
(CIAA) is passed, it will make a significant dent on pervasive corruption in the
society," said he.
Ram Krishna Tamrakar, Minister for Industry, Commerce and
Supplies pointed out to the clash of interests among the businessmen from various sectors
of economy and said government should not be blamed for lack of speedy action in such
case.
He also urged for accountability on the part of businessmen.
Few months back, sugar manufacturers complained about dumping of sugar from abroad and
government increased tariff. But Dashain festival is at hand and why is there a shortage
of sugar in market? Why are businessmen working for such a narrow interest? asked he.
Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, President FNCCI said the Federation
was ready to work in a close cooperation with the government for the promotion of business
environment in the country.
However, Shrestha expressed unhappiness for government's
failure to overcome confusions on economic issues. "Our expectation for clear cut
economic policies with the establishment of a majority government has not been
fulfilled," said Shrestha. He also lamented for low achievement in the area of
infrastructure development and low foreign aid inflow.
On the occasion, Rabi Bhakta Shrestha, First Vice President
of FNCCI complained against government's failure to implement many policies and laws,
formulated as a part of economic reform, in their truest spirit.
He also said that no concrete achievement has been made in
the issues like: acquiring the membership of World Trade Organization (WTO) to South Asia
Free Trade Arrangement (SAFTA), harnessing water resources to attracting foreign
investment.
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