Government approves Nepal Business Forum

The government has set up Nepal Business Forum (NBF) to promote private sector through regular interaction. The cabinet meeting held on May 16 had approved the NBF.
"It will simultaneously build a platform for the public and private sector to interact, to build capacity and provide important analysis for decision makers," said the NBF. In providing these services the NBF will enhance the advocacy function for business membership organisation.
The government had received technical support from South Asia Enterprise Development Facility managed by the International Finance Cooperation (IFC) in partnership with DFID and NORAD. The IFC -- a member of World Bank Group -- has been working in establishment of Public-Private Dialogue mechanisms throughout Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The Forum is a joint effort of the government and private sector of Nepal. Its structure includes working groups –– investment promotion, export promotion, infrastructure development, finance, insurance and banking, women entrepreneur, industrial environment, labour relation, and industrial safety –– and a semi-annual high level plenary forum headed by the Prime Minister.
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Confederation of Nepalese Industry (CNI), Nepal Bankers Association (NBA), National Business Initiative (NBI), Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN) and Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Scale Industry (FNCSI) are representing in the NBF from private sector while 14 ministries and National Planning Commission (NPC) are representing from the government side.