Kathmandu, March 11: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has stressed the need for making the construction industry, remaining as the backbone for nation-building, clean, competitive and standard.    

“There is a need for the development of modern and quality infrastructures for the sustainable development of the country,” he said while inaugurating the 23rd annual assembly and 12th convention of the Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal (FCAN) here today.    

"There is no possibility for the development of the entire country without the development of physical infrastructures. This is possible only through contractors. Make industries more commercial and competitive; the government is ready to cooperate," the Prime Minister said.    

Stating that the construction business has its leading role in the development of infrastructures and job creations in the country, he asked contractors to always take their jobs seriously and responsibly.    

As the Prime Minister explained, the Cabinet endorsed the 11th amendment to the Public Procurement Act as demanded by the contractors’ associations. He took time to praise the contribution of contractors to the development of the nation, adding that the government was ready to cooperate with them for quality construction and development endeavours.    

He pledged to address issues in the sector through due process.    

On this occasion, the Prime Minister urged contractors and private organisations to take maximum benefits from the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact that was recently ratified by the House of Representatives (HoR).    

He said, “Global bidding will be announced for the MCC projects and we will be happy if there will be Nepal’s participation in the competition.”    
PM Deuba also urged the FCAN to elect its new leadership in a free and fairway.