Kathmandu, December 13

High-level government officials from the Ministry of Commerce and private sector representatives are going to participate in the ‘Indo-Asia Connectivity for Shared Prosperity’ conference in Kolkata from Wednesday to Thursday. The event is being organised by the United States Consulate General Kolkata,

in partnership with the India-based Consumer United Trust Society (CUTS) and the East-West Centre.

Strong private sector participation is crucial to achieving the conference goals of increasing trade across South and Southeast Asia and strengthening regional integration through expanded commercial ties between South Asia and the US.

According to Rajan Sharma, Transit and Transport Committee chair of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the largest private sector umbrella body of the country, business leaders will have the opportunity to engage directly with high-level US government officials, including US Ambassador to India Richard Verma and other US regional ambassadors, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal, and SelectUSA Executive Director Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally.

It is reported that there will be discussions on Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor, which is considered as the new silk route, which the United States has envisioned as an ideal transit route for the prosperity of the underdeveloped South Asia.

The conference schedule format provides time for discussions between the ambassadors and private sector participants focused on the current business climate, growth opportunities, and the role of the US private sector in driving regional economic expansion.