August 25, Kathmandu.
Anjan Shrestha, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), stated that the government has not shown sufficient concern for the problems faced by industries in the automobile sector.
Speaking on Tuesday at the inauguration program of NADA Auto Show–2026, he recalled that when they demanded a reduction in customs duties in the automobile sector, the then Finance Minister urged them to open industries in Nepal itself and assured them of concessions.
However, his complaint was that after the industries were established, the government did not pay attention to their condition and solving their problems.
He said, ‘When we stated that customs duties in the automobile sector were too high and should be reduced, the then Finance Minister had told us, “You should establish industries right here, we will provide concessions.” But now industries have opened; what is their condition? The government has never shown any interest.’
Shrestha accused the government of not even paying attention to the condition of prominent industries. He stated that even though efforts are being made to operate industries that have been closed for a long time, the government has not shown sufficient interest in the problems faced by new and operational industries.
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‘There is a situation where industries that have been closed for 20-30 years are being opened, but no attention is being paid to the problems of other industries. As the elders used to say, “If you try to pick up what’s on the ground, you might drop what’s in your pocket,” I want to warn the government about this,’ he said.
He urged the government to understand and solve the problems faced by industrialists in the automobile sector. He stated that unless private sector investment is secure and a conducive business environment is created, the country cannot achieve economic prosperity.
Shrestha stated that the country’s economy is currently in a challenging state and that overall demand has not been able to increase due to a sluggish market. He added that it is becoming difficult to operate industries and businesses, and the morale of businesspeople has reached its lowest point in history.
He said, ‘Currently, the country’s economy is at a challenging juncture. We are all facing a challenge; the market is sluggish, and overall demand has not been able to increase. It is also becoming difficult to operate industries and businesses. The morale of businesspeople is at its weakest point in history. In my own 36 years of business journey, I have never seen such a situation before.’
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