KATHMANDU, Nov 30: The government is investing 58 billion rupees to install 5 to 15 bed hospitals in 649 local levels in order to increase the medical services amid the spread out of the COVID-19.
Speaking at the 23rd anniversary and 22nd annual general meeting of the Society of Economic Journalists Nepal (SEJON) on Monday, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel said the government is laying the foundation stones of the hospitals to initiate the construction works. He also called on the private sector to come up with effective moves to join hands with the government to address the threat of coronavirus.
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Paudel also asked the private sector to come up with necessary plans and measures if they see any shortfall in provisions in the budget and monetary policy enforced this year. “Measures to increase employment opportunities and enhance the investment in the country will be entertained,” he said.
Newly elected president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Shekhar Golchha said the umbrella organization of the private sector is coming up with a ten-year strategy to address the hard hit business sectors. According to him, the strategy will incorporate special programs to boost the agriculture business and small and medium enterprises in particular.
Golchha stressed on the government support to form a permanent mechanism to promote new businesses and risk sharing of the existing sectors that are hard hit by the pandemic.
Rajendra Malla, senior vice-president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, expressed his concern about the increasing influence of middle men both in the government bodies and private businesses. He stressed on the need for expanding digital payment services to wipe out the problem of delayed payments that have been gripping the business sector for years.
