17th July 2025, Kathmandu
A significant meeting took place between the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), led by its newly elected President Birendra Raj Pandey, and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel.
Nepal’s $100 Billion Economy Goal
The discussion centered on ambitious economic targets and crucial reform agendas aimed at bolstering Nepal’s economy.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
Economic Optimism: CNI President Pandey expressed optimism about the government’s production-oriented budget and the supportive monetary policy, anticipating positive economic improvements for the private sector.
Ambitious Economic Vision: CNI unveiled an ambitious goal: to propel Nepal’s economy to $100 billion within the next decade, accompanied by double-digit economic growth. Initial studies have pinpointed eight critical sectors for prioritization, with comprehensive research already underway to achieve this vision.
CNI’s Key Demands
Implementation of the High-Level Economic Reform Commission’s recommendations to streamline economic processes.
Strict measures to control illegal imports, which significantly impact domestic industries and government revenue.
Enactment of a Debt Recovery Act to facilitate the collection of overdue payments, improving financial stability for businesses.
Finance Minister’s Assurance: Finance Minister Paudel congratulated the new CNI team and affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns.
He confirmed that the government has embraced the High-Level Economic Reform Commission’s report and initiated its implementation.
The Minister also emphasized the need to tighten border controls to combat illicit trade, which has a severe impact on national revenue. Furthermore, he encouraged CNI to actively participate in the successful implementation of the fiscal year 2082/83 budget.
The meeting was attended by prominent figures from CNI, including Immediate Past President Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, Vice Presidents Raj Bahadur Shah, Rohit Gupta, and Amit More, as well as Executive Member Bidushi Rana and Director General Dr. Ghanshyam Ojha, among other officials.
For more: Nepal’s $100 Billion Economy Goal