July 22: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has promised 'relief package' to prop up the industries and enterprises that suffered worst due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    
 Inaugurating the 18th assembly of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries on Wednesday, PM Deuba shared that he was planning a special package on how the industries suffering much in the wake of COVID-19 and lockdown could be restored so that they could contribute to the national economy again.
 "We have given priority to vaccinate all citizens against COVID-19 and utilize their knowledge and skills for the national economy and development," he said, adding that investment promotion was equally important.    
 PM Deuba reiterated that although development is always a priority, saving people's lives gets utmost priority now. "It's challenging to face pandemic, so human safety is first priority," he underscored.    
 On the occasion, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma expressed his view that the pandemic reminded all of us to strengthen self-reliant economy. He appreciated the 'make in Nepal' campaign launched by the CNI.

"The government is for taking the private sector into confidence to revive the national economy which has been dented much by the pandemic,” he said.    
Similarly, founding chair of the Confederation, Binod Chaudhari, said the Confederation was acting as a think-tank. He claimed that the economic reform launched by the Nepali Congress-led government following the restoration of democracy in 1990 had tremendous contribution to the country's economic development, augmentation of private sector and investment opportunities. Now, in the changed context, second phase of such reform could be launched, he suggested the government. -- RSS