At a time when the economy of the country is passing through a difficult situation, Minister of State for Finance Dr Roop Jyoti said that the government was mulling over a change in focus of economic policy.

Speaking at the 53rd annual general meeting of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Dr Jyoti said that the government is giving more priority to foreign employment, shopping trade and offshore banking services, reports said.

Highlighting the contribution made by foreign employment to the national economy, Dr Jyoti said, “The government feels that due priority must be given to growing sectors such as foreign employment.”

As the economy is facing a difficult time, the business sector should present their transactions in a transparent way, but some businesspersons are not operating their businesses legally, he alleged.

Talking about the effective steps taken by the government, Dr Jyoti said that the government has adopted strong monitoring mechanism for taxpayers in the business sector, checking tax plate of shops and effective billing system.

He also agreed that economic growth is currently on the downward trend. He also said that the government is thinking to introduce special provisions to boost foreign investment in the country.

He said that the government has beefed up market inspection just to make sure that business firms are registered with the government, displaying tax plates and issuing bills to consumers.

Speaking on the occasion, acting president of NCC, Jagdish Prasad Khetan, said that the government and the private sector should pay serious heed to make economic diplomacy more effective in the export sector’s promotion concentrating especially on diversification.

President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and industry (FNCCI) Chandi Raj Dhakal, commented that India has imposed additional customs duty on Nepali goods against the ‘protocol’ between the two nations.

Dr Tulsi Giri, vice-chairman of the Council of Ministers, said that trade diversification is a key to Nepal’s sustainable economic development. However, quality products are needed when it comes to competing in the global markets, he added.

On the occasion VC Dr Giri awarded former president of NCC Mahesh K Agrawal for his 25 years of contribution to the chamber.

Dr. Giri also awarded other members of the NCC for their contributions in the NCC.