Lalitpur, March 18: Minister for Finance Janardan Sharma said that the government has taken forward various plans to get the COVID-19 hit country's economy back to its rhythm.    

At an event organized by the Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry on its 55th establishment day today, Minister Sharma reiterated that efforts were underway to strengthen the country's economy.    

Sharing that discussions were being held to support those entrepreneurs in trouble due to the interest rate of the banks, Sharma informed that plans were afoot to promote handicrafts and idols crafted in cultural city-Lalitpur.    

On a different note, he said that the tensions between Ukraine and Russia has hugely impacted Nepal.    

Similarly, Shekhar Golchha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), commented that he had never seen Nepal's economy in such a critical condition since he forayed into business 35 years ago.    

He viewed that the government should heartily welcome tourists to Nepal in view of the critical condition of Nepal's economy.    

Likewise, parliamentarian Nawaraj Silwal argued that it was vital to contemplate the state of the country's economy.    

Lalitpur Metropolitan City mayor Chiribabu Maharjan expressed his happiness over the reconstruction of the quake-damaged Bhimsen Temple in Patan without taking a single penny from the government. The 17th-century temple was rebuilt by the local community.    

Industry's former president Shailendra Pradhan said that the government should pay attention to curbing the illegal trade of textiles and garments worth Rs 500 billion annually.    

Industry's president Manoj Bahadur Nyachhyon stressed that the state should promote the export of various locally produced goods in the Lalitpur district, adding it would help the entire economy of the country.    

On the occasion, those working continuously in the Association for 25 years being a member and those contributing to the promotion of culture and literature in Nepal were awarded certificates.