This file photo shows a deserted street of Kathmandu during lockdown last year.

April 28: Stakeholders of the private sector including industrialists have urged the government to allow the industries to operate using safety measures while the  prohibitory order is in force. The government has announced prohibitory order in some areas to contain the second wave of coronavirus. The week-long prohibitory order will come into force starting from Thursday, April 29 in the Kathmandu valley.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday, April 27, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has urged the government to create environment for the operation of the industries during this period.

FNCCI has appealed to the government to ensure smooth operation of large projects, industries, and ensure smooth supply of produced goods, raw materials and facilitate the movement of workers required for operation of industries.

It has asked the government to work toward reducing the impact of the prohibitory orders. FNCCI has expressed commitment to support all the efforts made by the government for the public health security. It has stated that the private sector is ready to help the government to facilitate the daily life of the people, to meet their daily needs, and to supply essential food and other items in the market.

Industrialists say private sector is extremely worried by the present situation created by COVID-19 pandemic. This will affect the economy further which was about to bounce back from the impacts spurred by the first wave of the virus.

During the first wave of pandemic, the government had enforced lockdown for four months across the country, which had severely affected the industrial sector and the overall economy.

The re-enforcement of the prohibitory order following the spike in the COVID-19 cases will once again affect the economy, states the private sector.

Amidst this situation, the government, the private sector and the general public have a major responsibility to keep the economy afloat by containing the virus, say the industrialists.

Private sector has expressed dissatisfaction over the foremost choice of prohibitory orders by the government to contain the virus. According to the industrialists there were other measures to control the virus, but the government has used the last option of lockdown as the first choice.

Rajendra Malla, president of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, said lockdown is the last option to control the virus. It could have been controlled using safety measures set by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health but the government ignored those options which will in turn affect the economy. A day of lockdown equals a loss of billions, argue the industrialists.

He suggests the government should use prohibitory orders wisely. The government should not remain silent by imposing the order. The access to vaccine, public awareness should be increased and the public should also exhibit discipline. The government should work to ensure that the prohibitory order is not extended beyond the given period. “The private sector is ready to help control this virus and the government should collaborate with us,” he said.

Shekhar Golchha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the impact of the restrictive order should be minimized this time. Industries should be allowed to operate using safety measures. This kind of ban affects the small and medium industries more so the government should provide relief package to them. Along with that, logistical services should also be provided in terms of import and the public should not be made to bear the brunt of artificial price hike of essential goods.

FNCCI has also requested the government to provide relief to the workers working in the informal sector who have lost their jobs due to the prohibitory orders through schemes like the PM Employment Program. Golchha has said that relief programs announced in the last year should be continued for small and cottage industries and additional relief packages should be provided.

FNCCI has stated that it is always ready to provide the required help and support to the public and the government during time of crisis.