22nd June 2025, Kathmandu
Chandraprasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has stated that strong cooperation between the government and the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN) is essential to make Nepal’s economic diplomacy more effective, coordinated, and strategic.
Dhakal Goverment HCCN Cooperation
Speaking at an interactive workshop on “Nepal’s Export Trade: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities” held at Chandragiri, Kathmandu, jointly organized by the Economic Diplomacy Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and HCCN, Dhakal emphasized that Nepal should enhance its economic diplomacy and take a leap toward development and prosperity by effectively utilizing the unpaid honorary trade envoys from 66 important countries worldwide.
Dhakal also serves as the Dean of the Honorary Consular Corps-Nepal (HCCN).
“There needs to be trust and partnership between the government and the Honorary Consular Corps-Nepal. The state should treat and utilize the honorary consular corps not just as unpaid and formal envoys but as economic diplomats,” he said.
According to Dhakal, trade envoys are already actively involved in promoting Nepal abroad in sectors such as trade, tourism, investment, and economic cooperation. They do so using their own resources, time, and networks without burdening the government financially.
He noted that trade envoys can be effectively used as bridges between Nepal and the global economy.
Furthermore, Dhakal highlighted that during times of crisis such as earthquakes, floods, and other disasters, the countries represented by these trade envoys have provided assistance to Nepal. This, he said, can strengthen future collaborations with those countries through the envoys.
Welcoming the newly established Economic Diplomacy Department by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhakal expressed confidence that it will improve coordination among the government, Honorary Consular Corps Nepal, the private sector, and diplomatic entities.
“Economic diplomacy is not limited to trade alone. It is linked to employment, technology, branding, tourism, and many other sectors,” he said.
Presenting facts that the private sector contributes more than 81 percent to Nepal’s gross domestic product and generates over 86 percent of employment, Dhakal clarified that the private sector does not seek financial support but demands respect, recognition, and a place in decision-making processes.
Highlighting business conferences held during the Prime Minister’s visits to countries like India, China, and the UAE, Dhakal said these events have opened new doors for investment and economic cooperation.
He expressed confidence that collaboration with the Economic Diplomacy Department will enable more, well-organized, and effective programs of this kind in the future.
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