FNCCI asks UML leaders to priorize energy, job creation

KATHMANDU, Aug 30: Country´s private sector has suggested to the senior leaders of CPN-UML to emphasize on energy, employment generation and infrastructure sector in its manifesto for the upcoming election.



FNCCI President Suraj Vaidya on Friday urged the party to prioritize at least two storage projects, including the Budhigandaki project, in the next five years.

Handing over FNCCI´s suggestions to CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Vaidya said, “Instead of making hollow commitment of generating 10,000 MW of electricity, the party should have clear agenda on infrastructure development, such as big storage projects for energy generation, to give a boost of national economy.”

The party had invited FNCCI delegation at it´s headquarter in Balkhu to receive the latter´s suggestions.[break]



The business community has also urged the CPN-UML and other political parties to have a common minimum economic agenda for at least five years. “Political should come up with a common economic agenda for at least five years,” he added. “The private sector is facing various problems like power crisis and labor unrest. Election manifesto of political parties should address our problems.”



Vaidya also stressed the need to find solution to increasing migration of youths to greener pastures abroad by increasing economic activities in the country.

In the 16-page document, FNCCI has urged CPN-UML leaders to enhance employment and to work for economic development.



Vaidya also drew the attention of CPN-UML toward the negative impact that India´s new food security law could make on Nepali farmers. FNCCI also requested political parties to bring stability and focus on economic development by holding election for Constituent Assembly (CA) in time.

Receiving FNCCI´s suggestions, Khanal said they include it in the party´s election manifesto. “We organized revolutions and different types of movements in the past. Now we have realized that it is high time we concentrated on economic development,” Khanal added.



“Our plan is to focus on industrialization. We also have plans to commercialize the agriculture sector by mobilizing domestic and foreign investment and enhance tourism through key infrastructure projects like the Mid-hills Highway,” he added.



Similarly, Bharat Mohan Adhikari, chief of CPN-UML´s economic department, said implementation aspect of political parties´ election manifesto has remained weak.

FNCCI has already submitted its suggestions to Nepali Congress. It plans to hand over its suggestions to UCPN (Maoist) and Madhesi parties soon.

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