Kathmandu: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has emphasized the importance of turning the nation’s prosperity into reality rather than keeping it as a mere ambition. Speaking at the ‘Rising Nepal Summit’ on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of nepalkhabar.com in the federal capital, she underscored that prosperity should serve as a source of social justice, equality, and belief accessible to all, and not just a means for a few individuals to reap profits.
According to National News Agency Nepal, former President Bhandari highlighted the need for increasing national capital, restructuring and reviving struggling industries, and boosting tourism by leveraging natural and cultural heritages. She stressed the importance of branding domestic products like Palpali karuwa and Bhojpure khukuri for the international market. Bhandari also called for proper policies to promote youth entrepreneurship and discourage labor migration.
In the same event, Dr. Yubraj Khatiwada, the Prime Minister’s economic advisor and former finance minister, claimed that absolute poverty had significantly decreased, with national poverty rates dropping below 4 percent. He noted that the economy is experiencing a growth rate of 4 to 5 percent, indicating gradual improvement.
Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries, mentioned that numerous legal reforms have recently been implemented to create an investment-friendly environment in Nepal. He also shared that FNCCI and other business entities have established a fund of Rs 10 billion to mobilize domestic capital, which he argued would invigorate the national economy.