September 7: The private sector has urged the government to ease the restrictions imposed by the local authorities in order to revitalize the country’s ailing economy.

Representative of the private sector made such request to the government during a meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who also holds the portfolio of finance minister, at his official residence in Baluwatar on Sunday (September 6).

The prime minister had called the representatives of the private sector to discuss about ways to minimize the impacts of coronavirus on the economy and to revitalize the economy that has been paralyzed since the last five months due to lockdown and prohibitory orders.

During the meeting, office bearers of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) stressed on the need to ease the restrictions imposed by the local governments to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Stating that the restrictions imposed by the government to curb the spread of the disease have badly affected the industrial sector, they urged the government to recommence their industries by following standard health protocols.

PM Oli was positive about reopening businesses and industries by adopting proper precautionary measures.

The private sector also urged the government to facilitate in obtaining refinancing facility as mentioned in the monetary policy for the current fiscal year. They also demanded 20 percent discount on electricity bill until the current crisis subsides.

The private sector also urged the government during the three-hour long meeting to remove the customs duty and excise duty imposed on electric vehicles.