Kathmandu
The Nepal Association of Economic Journalists (NAFEJ) held a discussion meeting on the topic “Management of Development Budget: Role of the Private Sector and Government” in Kathmandu on Saturday. The event was organized in collaboration with the Construction Business Promotion Management Implementation Committee of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, along with the Federation of Nepal Construction Entrepreneurs.
The discussion came in response to the ongoing challenges in development spending, which has significantly weakened in recent months. NAFEJ, in coordination with the Ministry and the Federation, organized the program to address the issues in the sector. Modhnath Dhakal, Chairman of NAFEJ, stated that the meeting aimed to find practical solutions to the problems facing the development sector.
During the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel assured development entrepreneurs that their outstanding dues would be cleared within one week. Despite completing their projects, many entrepreneurs have not received payments amounting to billions of rupees. Construction entrepreneurs reported that they had not been paid for work completed during the last fiscal year.
Minister Poudel acknowledged the issue and stated, “Payments will be made within one week. If you still do not receive your payment, come to me, and we will sit down, discuss the issue, and find a suitable solution.”
He also stated that he would talk to Nepal Rastra Bank to extend the deadline for loan repayments by Construction entrepreneurs. The current deadline for repayment is the end of Mangsir, but entrepreneurs are demanding an extension in case the government fails to make the required payments.
The Finance Minister emphasized that the government’s primary goal is development and construction, and he assured the entrepreneurs that the government would continue to prioritize the development sector.