NATIONAL 6 -(Spotlight Weekly)]

Partnership Approach

The apex private sector body asserts itself by asking the government to give top priority to economy

By A CORRESPONDENTe

It was a history in the making. By organizing the first-ever 'Industry and Commerce Day" amid a grand ceremony on Monday (April 10), Nepali private sector has proved that it is capable to sell its agenda to the government. Since the establishment of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry 34 years ago, the organization has grown manifold, both in terms of its structure and influence.

"The government is ready to do whatever is needed to boost the industry and commerce sector in the country," said Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, inaugurating the function. "There was a need of consensus between the business community and the government on economic issues." President of FNCCI, Pradip Kumar Shrestha, said vision and commitment were the most

important factors for economic upliftment of any country. He also added that the business community was aware of its social obligations.

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) today stands as an umbrella organization of all the business and industrial organizations-whether big or small-in the country. With 80 district and municipal-level chambers in 66 districts, 47 commodity associations, 390 associate members, 8 bi-national chambers and one special member, the FNCCI also represents more than 40 thousand industrial and commercial firms/companies.

"FNCCI decided to observe this particular day dedicated for industry and commerce in order to explore new ideas to promote the trading and industrial environment in the country," said Rajendra Khetan, ex-officio Vice President of the FNCCI.

Since only a strong organization can give leadership to the country's economic development, FNCCI is preparing to set up Investment Promotion Center, Foreign Trade Department and WTO Cell, Enterprise Development Center and Information Technology (IT) Group at its Secretariat. It is also planning to organize Business Leader's Conference of Least Developed Countries and Millennium Round of Events for exchanging ideas and highlighting the agenda of 'Economy First.'

One of the founder members of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI), the FNCCI has signed 18 cooperation agreements with international trading and commercial institutions to promote bilateral trade.

It has already acquired membership of International Chambers of Commerce (ICC), World Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME), International Organization of Employers (IOE), Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), Asian Trade Promotion Forum (ATPF) and Group of 77.

EXPORT PROMOTION MEETING
A Good Beginning

The first-ever meeting lays ground for promoting trade and investment into the country

By A CORRESPONDENT

After a gap of eight years, Nepali government seemed serious enough to mean business. The Nepali Congress government had organized the Investment Forum in 1992. At the helms of power once again, the NC government organized the first-ever Export Promotion Meeting 2000 last week. Incidentally, both Prime Minister G. P. Koirala and Industry and Commerce Minister Ram Krishna Tamrakar are together in the cabinet.

"Nepal offers best opportunities for trade and investment in the entire South Asia region," said Koirala addressing the meeting. Added Minister Tamrakar, " Nepalese products now have huge markets in India and China in the aftermath of separate bilateral trade treaties with the two countries." Both the senior government functionaries said they meant business. And, the foreign delegates were also impressed. "It's a very good initiative and there should be regular follow up and monitoring to such programs," said Gustav Mattson, honorary Royal Nepalese Consul in Finland. Nearly 450 people including 230 expatriates, Nepalese honorary consuls in 24 countries and business delegates from 33 countries took part in the meeting.

Earlier, officials said that the government was introducing National Export Policy in the near future. Addressing a day-long seminar on "Developing Nepal's Export Strategy" organized by Nepal-USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the eve of the Meeting, Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission Prithvi Raj Ligal said "The policy will be submitted in the next session of the Parliament for approval." The policy aims at sustaining the present export markets and strengthen national economy, he said. Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr. Tilak Rawal, said the central bank was ready to lend support for the establishment of an Export-Import (EXIM) bank if the private sector came up with a convincing proposal.

One thing is certain. The Koirala government means business.