Kathmandu: Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal held discussions with representatives of major private sector organizations on Tuesday to address damages and concerns arising from the September 8–9 protests.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Finance, included representatives from the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Nepal Chambers and Commerce, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), the Nepal Automobile Dealers’ Association, and major business groups including Chaudhary Group and Bhatbhateni Group.
During the interaction, private sector leaders congratulated the newly appointed finance minister and urged the government to ensure security for businesses, promote investment, and restore confidence in the economy.
They called for urgent measures including tax concessions, subsidized loans, and speedy insurance payouts to compensate for losses sustained during the protests. They also emphasized the need for a shift in how government, political parties, the media, and civil society view the private sector’s role in national development.
Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay informed the meeting that, aside from Dashain, banks and customs offices would remain open during public holidays to support trade. He also said the government was working to reopen the Tatopani border point, which has been blocked due to landslides.
Addressing the participants, Finance Minister Khanal said he had personally inspected damaged sites including the Thapathali auto sector, Bhatbhateni Superstore in Koteshwor, Annapurna and Kantipur media houses, and the Traffic Police Office. He reassured business leaders that he was fully aware of their problems.
The minister announced that the government had already decided to set up a reconstruction fund to restore damaged public and private infrastructure. He also revealed plans to introduce an Integrated Business Recovery Plan, stressing that the problems of the private sector were also the problems of the state.
Minister Khanal further stated that the government was positive about offering relief through tax and monetary policies. He added that civil servants across all public institutions had been instructed to deliver services in a manner that would make citizens and businesses feel the government’s presence directly through public service delivery.
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