Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, has called upon the media to identify the government’s weaknesses while also effectively communicating its achievements to the public. During his address at the 27th Annual General Meeting and convention of the Society of Economic Journalists Nepal (SEJON), he emphasized the dual role of the media in critically assessing government policies and proposing improvements.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Finance Minister Paudel stressed the media’s responsibility in exposing any policy gaps and implementation shortcomings. He also highlighted the importance of informing citizens about the government’s positive contributions and public welfare initiatives. Paudel underscored the crucial role of economic journalism in supporting the nation’s economic growth.
Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), noted that the country’s economy has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, he acknowledged recent economic improvements and reiterated FNCCI’s commitment to advising the government on legal and practical reforms to enhance the private sector’s role in economic development.
Birendra Raj Pandey, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), discussed the CNI’s ongoing study on investment needs across various sectors and the necessity for policy and legal reforms to stimulate economic growth. Kamlesh Kumar Agarwal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), pointed out that despite improving economic indicators, the private sector remains hesitant to invest. He advocated for the implementation of recommendations from the High-level Economic Reforms Recommendation Commission.
Former SEJON presidents shared their insights on the challenges facing the media sector, emphasizing the need for quality journalism and investigative reporting in the economic domain. The convention is set to elect new leadership for SEJON today.