A“Pre-Budget Consultation and Suggestion Collection Program” was jointly organized by the Centre for Economic Development and Administration (CEDA) , and the National Economic Concern Society, Nepal on Friday, 25 April 2025.The program was chaired by CEDA’s Executive Director, Prof. Dr. Arjun Kumar Baral, and graced by the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, as the Chief Guest.

The primary objective of the event was to gather inputs from experts, stakeholders, and policymakers across various sectors to inform the formulation of the national budget for the fiscal year 2082/83. By facilitating such an inclusive dialogue, CEDA played a bridging role between the government and the private sector in seeking viable solutions to prevailing economic challenges.

Dr. Ram Kumar Phuyal, former Member of the National Planning Commission, presented a comprehensive working paper as the subject expert. His presentation emphasized strategic directions for budgetary policy, priorities in public expenditure, and measures for achieving inclusive economic growth. Based on this paper, around 80 participants including secretaries from the Ministry of Finance, professors, industrialists, business leaders, and representatives from the financial sector engaged in active discussion.

Finance Minister Paudel, in his keynote remarks, urged all participants to provide concrete and written recommendations by addressing the core questions: “What should be done, and how should it be done?” He expressed confidence that such informed discussions and proposals would significantly contribute to policy formulation.

As per the commitment of the organizing institutions, the collected suggestions were officially submitted to the Minister of Finance. This collaborative initiative is expected to strengthen the institutional practice of incorporating informed and practical recommendations in Nepal’s economic policymaking process.