By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Apr 19: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta Sunday held a discussion with the private sector leaders to resume operation of industries manufacturing essential products amid the lockdown.

Minister Bhatta urged the private sectors to bring the closed industries manufacturing essential commodities into operation to ease their supply in the market.

Representatives from Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) and Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries and government officials attended the meeting.

Minister Bhatta said that it was mandatory to operate the industries smoothly by adopting safety measures against COVID-19 to make the nation’s economy vibrant and to balance the supply chain of essential goods.

Stating that it was challenging to mobilise workforce amid the nationwide lockdown, Minister Bhatta said that the government would ensure a favourable environment to mobilise the workers and run the industries in their full capacity.

He said that the government should support the workers, who are travelling to their hometowns due to lockdown, in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Currently, the factories manufacturing essential commodities have been operating only at 40 per cent of their capacities.

Also, some of the big industries have been shut due to unavailability of workers following the implementation of lockdown and COVID-19 scare.

The meeting also focused on managing the migrant labour forces in Nepal who would come back from their working countries due to the impact of COVID-19.

During the meeting, private sectors’ representatives demanded relief packages as soon as possible to support the industries affected from the lockdown caused by COVID-19.

They said that the government should ensure appropriate business environment to run the industries in full their capacities even after the problems get resolved.

The industries would operate only if the government managed workforce and continuous supply of raw materials, they said.

“Apt job opportunities can be created within the country, especially in the agricultural sector for migrant returnees if the government coordinates with the private sector,” said Satish Kumar More, CNI president. “This could also help in the quick revival of nation’s economy”

“The government should reduce interest rates of loan and provide refinance facilities to the private sectors for the revival of economy,” he added.