KATHMANDU: When the new government was formed, we were all optimistic. There was an expectation that we would see a new vision, thought process, and working style. The business sector, which had been pessimistic for a long time, also expected change from this new-generation government.

The Nepali people were indeed looking for change. The public was fed up with the working style of previous governments. The delays, bribery, and corruption experienced while working with government offices are issues everyone has felt. There was no encouragement for those doing business, and there was no environment for investment. Against this backdrop, industrialists and entrepreneurs naturally welcomed the new government.

However, as the government crosses its 100-day mark, there is no basis for investors and entrepreneurs to feel satisfied. There has been no clear feeling that the government is moving forward to fulfill the assurances given to the public. The hopes held by industrialists and entrepreneurs associated with various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, handicrafts, and hydropower, are gradually turning into despair.

The most worrying matter is that under this highly anticipated government, a trend has emerged of rounding up, arresting, and detaining industrialists and entrepreneurs without adequate investigation and scrutiny. This has demoralized the business sector. Suspicions have grown that the government is trying to control entrepreneurs through fear rather than through due legal process.

If the government continues this behavior toward entrepreneurs, how will an investment climate be created? If investment does not grow, how will jobs be created? How will the country’s economy stay dynamic? The government must become serious about these questions.

Who will listen to the voices of businessmen? To whom should entrepreneurs explain their challenges? From whom should solutions to problems be sought? Today, entrepreneurs and businessmen are in a state of confusion.

Industrialists and entrepreneurs work precisely to uplift the country’s economy. That is why they establish industries, make investments, and provide employment. Under such circumstances, it is not a good sign for businesses to constantly fall under the government’s circle of suspicion. If all industrialists and entrepreneurs are viewed with suspicion, a situation arises where every businessman has to live in terror, wondering, “Is it my turn next?”

Right now, for industrialists and entrepreneurs, there is neither a place to stand nor a branch to hold onto. The problems are many, the challenges are many, and there is much work to be done. We need to give suggestions to the government, voice our problems, and look for solutions. For that, direct dialogue, talks, and interaction are required. However, such an environment does not exist at all.

Who will listen to the voices of businessmen? To whom should entrepreneurs explain their challenges? From whom should solutions to problems be sought? Today, entrepreneurs and businessmen are in a state of confusion.

It has already been about three months since the new leadership of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) took charge. Entrepreneurs and businessmen have direct dealings with ministries, departments, and government bodies. It is necessary to meet, present our views, and reach solutions through negotiations. However, we have not received such a smooth environment. This has further frustrated industrialists and entrepreneurs.

Businessmen from various districts ask us, “You are at the center. Why don’t you talk to the government regarding the rights and welfare of industrialists and entrepreneurs? Why don’t you raise our issues? Why don’t you bring our problems to the government’s attention?”

The government should not terrorize businessmen; it should encourage them. If the government wants to attract entrepreneurs to invest in their own country, it must listen to them.

But what answer should we, who are sitting at the center, give? At present, industrialists and entrepreneurs can neither easily meet with the Minister for Industry nor the Minister for Commerce. There is also no easy situation to meet the Finance Minister and present our views. Meeting the Prime Minister has become something that feels miles away. An environment for a two-way dialogue with him has not been built at all.

Even though the views of entrepreneurs have not reached the relevant bodies, we have not given up hope in the government. The thought remains that we must not lose trust. However, businessmen are saddened and deeply hurt by the government’s behavior. They want a smooth investment climate to be created. In the current situation, however, such an environment is not visible.

The government should not terrorize businessmen; it should encourage them. If the government wants to attract entrepreneurs to invest in their own country, it must listen to them. Previous governments used to hold meetings and discussions with businessmen. Even if the stated matters were not implemented, there was a practice of listening. The current situation is different. At present, there is a feeling that we are not even getting a chance to voice our views to the government.

Therefore, the government must find time to listen to the problems of industrialists and entrepreneurs. Feasible demands should be implemented immediately. If there are matters that are not feasible, the reasons should be clearly stated. Businessmen should be reassured by being told, “It is not possible right now due to this reason, but we will look into it when the time comes.” This facilitation is exactly what is needed from the government right now.

What is needed now is not fear, but good governance. To bring about change, the government must work at a rapid pace. The demands of industrialists and entrepreneurs must be addressed. An environment for investment must be created. The hopes of the people must be transformed into trust.

Businessmen do not want crackdowns from the government; they want facilitation. If the government gives encouragement instead of fear to industrialists and entrepreneurs, we can move forward shoulder to shoulder on the journey toward prosperity. The country can succeed only if businessmen succeed.

Every businessman wishes to invest in their own country. Let’s take the agriculture sector, for example. If the state ensures seeds, fertilizers, expert technicians, and necessary facilities, entrepreneurs are ready to invest. If the tourism sector is to be moved forward, the state must prioritize roads and infrastructure. If the government moves forward by taking businessmen as partners, there will be no major obstacle on the path to building a prosperous nation.

There are no two opinions that industrialists and entrepreneurs will be excited if the government adopts a policy of facilitation across all sectors. What is needed now is not fear, but good governance. To bring about change, the government must work at a rapid pace. The demands of industrialists and entrepreneurs must be addressed. An environment for investment must be created. The hopes of the people must be transformed into trust.

Ministers must increase their meetings and listen to everyone’s views. An environment must be created to implement the matters that come as suggestions. There is still much left to do, but time also remains for that. Every sector, along with the general public, has placed its hopes in the government. Fulfilling those hopes is the responsibility of the current government.

(Based on a conversation between Shambhu Raj Regmi of Nepal News and Shrestha, who is the President of the Beauticians Professional Association of Nepal and a Central Committee Member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry).