6th September 2023, Kathmandu
The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song held discussions on the expansion of investment and business relations between Nepal and China on Tuesday.
The CNI President Rajesh Kumar Agrawal said that China is an essential partner in Nepal’s development and that there is a need for cooperation in the infrastructure sector, which has lagged behind.
He urged the government to prioritize Chinese investment and cooperation in infrastructure, technology transfer, skills and tourism sectors. He also urged the government to help bring Nepali goods to the Chinese market through electronic trade.
The Chinese Ambassador Song said that Nepal is not a tiny country despite being small between China and India. Stating that Nepal could develop through its own energy and resources, he stressed the need for a long-term development strategy. Giving priority to the energy sector, he suggested that Nepal should increase the use of electricity. He said that this would help in import substitution. Stating that the Confederation has been working for industrial development, he pledged China’s support for Nepal’s industrial development.
The meeting also discussed the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to China.
The meeting was attended by outgoing President Bishnu Kumar Agrawal, Vice Presidents Nirvana Chaudhary, Hem Raj Dhakal, Rohit Gupta, Amit Mor, office-bearers Chhaya Sharma, Gokul Bhandari, Director General Deepak Raj Joshi among others.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the meeting:
1. The CNI and the Chinese Ambassador agreed on the need to expand investment and business relations between Nepal and China.
2. The CNI urged the government to prioritize Chinese investment and cooperation in infrastructure, technology transfer, skills and tourism sectors.
3. The Chinese Ambassador pledged China’s support for Nepal’s industrial development.
4. The meeting also discussed the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to China.
The meeting is a positive sign for the expansion of investment and business relations between Nepal and China. China is Nepal’s largest trading partner and the second largest source of foreign investment. The two countries have a long history of cooperation and these discussions are a step towards further strengthening their ties.