Kathmandu: The government led by Balen Shah has announced strict legal action against individuals involved in damaging, looting, or attacking private property. Under point 62 of the recently approved 100-point governance reform agenda, security agencies have been instructed to immediately initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for such activities.
In the aftermath of the Gen Z-led unrest, the newly formed government has introduced a range of measures aimed at protecting the private sector and restoring an investment-friendly environment. The plan combines security, financial relief, structural reforms, and policy coordination to rebuild confidence among investors affected by the recent instability.
Recognizing the impact of the protests on the business climate, the government has prioritized restoring trust by approving a “Private Sector Protection and Promotion Strategy” for immediate implementation. This strategy includes initiatives focused on physical security, asset protection, economic recovery, regulatory simplification, investment promotion, and support for youth entrepreneurship.
To strengthen security in industrial and commercial areas, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been tasked with developing necessary infrastructure and rapid response mechanisms within 30 days. In parallel, the Ministry of Finance and Nepal Rastra Bank are set to introduce relief and recovery packages for businesses affected by the unrest.
The government has also decided to establish a “Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit” under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to institutionalize improvements in investment and economic governance. This unit will monitor key performance indicators for national priority projects, track progress across ministries, resolve bottlenecks, and oversee overall performance through a centralized dashboard.
Further reforms are aimed at simplifying business processes and encouraging investment. The government plans to streamline company registration and operations, introduce a single-window approval system, and launch a “Startup Fast Track” mechanism to enable business registration within two days. A unified “One Door Business Platform” integrating business, tax, and banking services is also in the pipeline.
To support small and medium enterprises, measures will be introduced to ease access to credit. The registration process for industries with investments up to Rs 250 million will be simplified, with associated fees waived.
The reform agenda also emphasizes eliminating duplication among agencies dealing with the private sector by creating an integrated institutional framework, along with automating information sharing across government bodies.
To mitigate the broader impact of the unrest, the government is prioritizing security, financial relief, business recovery, and ongoing dialogue with the private sector. It has also committed to ensuring uninterrupted transportation to avoid disruptions in supply chains.
In addition, policies such as automatic approval systems, mandatory disclosure of beneficial ownership, and stricter controls on illicit capital outflows are being introduced to ensure a clean and transparent investment environment.
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