Kathmandu: The business leaders from the private sector have vowed revival, while expressing sorrow over the loss in the industrial and commercial enterprises during the Gen-Z protest taken place on September 8 and 9. During a meeting with Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Sunday, the business leaders mentioned that they would rise again with new vigour. The private sector witnessed a serious setback from vandalism and arson, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal said.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the preliminary estimates indicate that the total damage is around Rs 80 billion to Rs 100 billion. Dhakal emphasized that instead of remaining idle and disappointed, they plan to rise again. He noted that the vandalism and arson were not just impacts of the protests, but were deliberate actions. Dhakal demanded immediate accountability for those involved in the vandalism and arson.
Chair of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Birendra Raj Pandey, highlighted that the private sector has consistently suffered during every movement. He advocated for special subsidies and concessional loans to restore the confidence of the private sector. Umesh Singh, Chair of the Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries, reported that nearly 500,000 small and cottage industries, out of a total of 900,000, were not renewed. He requested a waiver of the renewal fees for these industries.
Additionally, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Kamalesh Agrawal, urged the government to introduce a special integrated security plan to protect industrial property and foster investment confidence. He expressed concern that the current situation has negatively affected both investors and industrialists. President of the Federation of Contractors’ Association of Nepal, Rabi Singh, called for a government-led campaign to establish a corruption-free environment in the country alongside election preparations.