70pc of production industries shut amid ongoing prohibitory order: FNCCI

KATHMANDU: The prohibitory orders enforced by the government to contain the spread of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic have directly affected 70 percent of the production businesses across the country.

According to the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the umbrella organization representing the private sector, almost all industries except those related to essential goods and health equipment have almost come to a halt due to the impacts of the pandemic.

Of the manufacturing businesses, 82.7 percent in Province 1 have been closed, the largest amongst all. Likewise, 75 percent businesses in Gandaki Province, 69 percent each in Bagmati Province and Province 2, 64.5 percent in Lumbini Province, 57.7 percent in Sudurpaschim Province and 45.5 percent in Karnali Province have been adversely affected by the prohibitory orders and the pandemic, as per FNCCI.