KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa’s political report prepared for the party’s 15th General Convention has proposed a new economic direction focused on production, private-sector partnership, social justice and national self-reliance.
The report calls for modernising the party’s ideological foundation by integrating BP Koirala’s socialist vision with a contemporary social market economy, taking into account changing economic and social conditions in the 21st century.
Under the concept of “Prosperous Nepal, Respected Nepali,” the report argues that national prosperity should not be measured solely by economic growth. Instead, it identifies education, healthcare, nutrition, skills and individual capabilities as essential foundations of development.
It also stresses the need for collective efforts involving the government, citizens, communities, the private sector, cooperatives, universities and experts to achieve sustainable progress.
Regarding the private sector, the report recognises businesses as key drivers of wealth creation, production, innovation and employment rather than merely sources of government revenue. It proposes protecting private investment, maintaining policy stability and creating a business-friendly environment by transforming government-business relations into a partnership based on cooperation.
The report also calls for restructuring Nepal’s economy to reduce dependence on imports and remittances while strengthening domestic production. Agriculture, hydropower, energy, tourism, industry and digital technology have been identified as priority sectors for economic transformation.
It proposes directing remittances earned by Nepali migrant workers towards productive investments in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and technology. Similarly, hydropower and clean energy are envisioned as major foundations for industrialisation and green energy exports.
To tackle economic inequality, the report introduces the principle of “predistributive justice,” which focuses on ensuring fair access to opportunities before inequalities become entrenched. Equal access to education, healthcare, skills development, financial services and employment has been highlighted as a key priority.
The document further identifies climate change as an economic and national security challenge, advocating the sustainable use of natural resources, expansion of green energy and protection of the interests of future generations.
It also emphasises strengthening domestic capabilities in energy, food, finance and technology, arguing that national independence requires economic self-reliance beyond formal political sovereignty.
