National Planning Commission calls for balanced public and private investment

National Planning Commission (NPC) Vice-Chairperson Gunakar Bhatta has advocated for a strategic realignment of Nepal’s development funding, urging the government to treat public and private investments as complementary forces. Speaking at a Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal event, Bhatta emphasized that public funds should prioritize decentralization, directing resources toward underserved regions to foster inclusive growth. He also warned against the environmental risks of clustering infrastructure, specifically cautioning that concentrating hydropower projects along single rivers could increase vulnerability to natural disasters.

Former Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal further proposed that the state shift its focus toward foundational infrastructure and human capital rather than attempting to invest in every sector. Aryal highlighted agriculture, tourism, energy, and information technology as key growth areas. He also recommended re-evaluating the 45 state-owned enterprises, noting that 16 are currently operating at a loss, and suggested options ranging from management contracts to privatization or dissolution based on their strategic performance.