Kathmandu, Dec. 1: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has urged domestic and foreign investors to invest confidently in the country as he said the government would take all possible efforts to ease the environment conducive for investments and decrease trade costs.

"Your investments and properties in Nepal will be secured. I assured that the government will guarantee this," he said on the silver jubilee of the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON) and SEJON award distribution ceremony here today.

Stating that Nepal has prioritised its journey to prosperity by internalising achievements made from the adoption of the open market policy and analysing shortcomings in it, the PM pledged to speed up the country's economic revival that was dashed severely by ongoing COVID-19. "Now, it requires the launch of the second phase of mega economic reforms in the country. The country faced difficult times in its economy in the past two years. We may be in the dark in terms of the economy. But brightness is awaiting us."

Similarly, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma stressed the need for making the work culture of the state mechanism in the infrastructure development and laws and the public procurement act development-friendly.

"There are many challenges facing the country's economy. COVID-19 has severely affected the global economy. In this context, there is a need for us to increase capital expenditure and use new technology in development and keep up laws and acts with time."

Industrialist and lawmaker Binod Chaudhary suggested that the government widens the country's economic scopes while strengthening regulatory bodies of the state.

Likewise, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Bishnu Agrawal underscored the need for a dialogue, coordination and cooperation between the government and private sector to promote industries and create employment opportunities in the country.

Also, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajendra Malla suggested that the government resolves problems relating to middle persons and a liquidity crisis facing the country.

Economic analyst Achyut Wagle suggested the management of policies, programmes and budget in view of the thought that prosperity does not take place until federalism can get stability in the context that the pool between country's economic and politics has broken and the balance of trade deficit has widened.

The SEJON President Janardan Baral and its former presidents apprised the event of its activities and contribution.

On the occasion, one Rajib Upadhyay and Prof. Dr. Wagle were honoured. Similarly, journalists Ramesh Kumar Neupane (Himal Khabar magazine) and Sunita Karki (Annapurna Post daily) were awarded the 'SEJON Award' each. The award carries a purse of Rs 50,000.

Also, journalists Saraswati Dhakal (Karobar daily) and Himal Lamsal (Nagarik daily) have won the 'Sanjaya Neupane Memorial Fellowship'. The fellowship was set up in memory of the late Neupane, a SEJON office bearer.