CNI urges political parties to put economy first in election manifestos, Calls for national consensus on $100 bn growth vision

KATHMANDU: As Nepal moves closer to another electoral cycle, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has strongly urged political parties to place economic reform and growth at the top of their election manifestos, warning that repeated political changes have failed to deliver meaningful economic transformation.

CNI emphasizing that economic agendas must take precedence over short-term political promises. One of the apex private sector body said the suggestions will be formally shared with major national parties in the coming days.

CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey said that despite multiple political transitions from the 2007 political change to the recent Gen-Z movement of 2082 BS, Nepal has not achieved the pace of economic development it urgently needs.

“Political change has occurred many times, but economic change has not accelerated accordingly,” Pandey said. “Although parties include economic agendas in their manifestos, these issues lose priority once they come into government.”

Political Stability Must Be Matched by Economic Stability

CNI stressed that political stability alone is insufficient unless it is matched by a strong and resilient economy. According to the federation, citizens are demanding good governance, job creation, sustainable economic growth, and national prosperity—goals that can only be achieved if political parties collectively commit to long-term economic reforms.

Pandey called for a national consensus on economic development, urging parties to clearly outline long-term vision, priority sectors, major projects, and time-bound action plans in their manifestos.

Without policy continuity, Nepal’s economy remains trapped in uncertainty, discouraging domestic and foreign investors and weakening private sector confidence, he warned.

Push for ‘Faceless, Contactless, Paperless’ Governance

Highlighting governance reform as a foundation for growth, CNI urged the effective implementation of a “faceless, contactless, and paperless” system to improve transparency, reduce corruption, and enhance service delivery.

The federation called on parties to prioritize:

• Industrialization and domestic production
• Entrepreneurship and SME development
• Digital governance and IT-driven public services
• Legal and regulatory reform
• Tax system modernization to boost investment

These reforms, CNI said, are essential to improve Nepal’s business climate, enhance competitiveness, and integrate the country more effectively into the global economy.

Mismatch Between Manifestos and Government Action

CNI criticized the long-standing gap between political commitments and actual government performance. According to the federation, economic agendas are routinely overshadowed by political interests once parties assume power.

Pandey said frequent changes in priorities, lack of policy ownership, and weak implementation mechanisms have held Nepal back economically.

“Even when good policies are announced, they are rarely implemented effectively. This inconsistency has pushed Nepal behind its regional peers,” he said.

He added that although good governance is often highlighted in speeches, it is rarely reflected in practice, increasing public frustration and eroding trust in institutions.

CNI also emphasized the need to hold implementing agencies and officials more accountable for delivering on announced economic policies.

Broad Sectoral Reform Agenda

CNI’s recommendations span a wide range of sectors critical to Nepal’s economic transformation, including:

• Industrialization, export promotion, and import substitution
• Promotion of domestic products and market regulation
• Foreign direct investment (FDI) and private sector confidence
• Skills development and employment generation
• Infrastructure development
• Innovation and startups
• Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
• IT-based industries and digital economy
• Energy, tourism, agriculture, forests, and environment
• Education and health sectors

The federation stressed that a coordinated policy approach across these sectors is vital for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Call for a National Economic Vision Document

CNI proposed the creation of a national economic “vision document” through cross-party consensus, taking inspiration from neighboring countries that have achieved rapid growth through policy stability.

The federation has repeatedly advocated a long-term strategy to expand Nepal’s economy from its current size of around USD 44 billion to USD 100 billion within the next decade.

To support this goal, CNI is conducting a detailed study with national and international experts, which it plans to publish in the coming months.

Private Sector Confidence at Risk

Senior Vice President Nirvana Chaudhary warned that declining private sector confidence is a serious risk to Nepal’s economic future.

“All political parties must place the economy at the center of their manifestos and clearly explain how Nepal will move forward development-wise,” he said. “Investors and entrepreneurs need assurance that economic policies will be stable and predictable.”