Economists ask government to invest in infrastructure

Economists have suggested the government to prioritise programmes, increase investment in infrastructure, and prepare a common minimum economic agenda among the political parties to improve the economy.

"The economy will not improve unless the government increases investment in infrastructure," they said during an interaction on 'Current Economic Situation: Challenges and Way Forward', here today at the Finance Ministry.

"The government should also increase output-oriented capital expenditure, besides redefining labour-management relations linking with productivity, and introducing programmes to utilise remittance in productive sectors," they said, calling for good governance in banks and financial institutions.

They also urged the government to prioritise and increase investment in commercial agriculture.

Caretaker finance minister Barshaman Pun on the occasion, said that he would implement the suggestions immediately. "Though the current economic indicators are satisfactory, the economy should move ahead," he said, adding that the government is trying to create consensus among the political parties on the economic agenda.

National Planning Commission (NPC) vice chair Deependra Bahadur Kshetry said that the government will try to balance priorities while preparing the regional development strategy.

Similarly, finance secretary Krishna Hari Baskota said that the government will implement the suggestions immediately.