April 25:  Speakers of a pre- budget discussion for the upcoming budget organized by the government have emphasized on giving priority to the productive sectors in a bid to increase employment and minimize trade deficit in the country.

Representatives from the private sector, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders were also present during the discussion which was organised by the Revenue Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Finance on April 24.

The programme focused on the issue that the contribution of GDP is decreasing from the productive sector of Nepal. Economist Dr Posh Raj Pandey as a representative from the private sector presented a common working paper  mentioning  that the industrialization, comercialisation of agriculture and infrastructure development should get priority in  the upcoming budget and policies of  the government. 

"Establishing National Industrial Centre for Excellence is necessary to promote industrialisation," shared Pandey. He also said that the government should focus on inter-governmental cooperation for proper implementation of the budget.

Similarly, during the programme, Haribhakta Sharma, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), said that the government should promote e-governance to save time in administrative works.

He also stressed that the recently formulated Acts related to economy should be implemented by working out regulations to improve the environment for investment in Nepal.  "The increase of transport costs in the Tribhuvan International Airport has affected the import and export. So, the finance minister should address this issue," said Sharma.

Similarly, President of FNCCI Bhawani Rana said that the new budget, and policies and programmes should be business -friendly and should encourage the production- oriented industries. Rana suggested that the policies should be implemented in such a way that the entrepreneurs don’t have to pay extra taxes.