Kathmandu, August 15

South Asia can establish economic integration with the east and central Asia through the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor, which the United States has envisioned as ideal transit route for the prosperity of the underdeveloped South Asia, according to the US ambassador to Nepal.

“South and central Asia could share mutual economic benefit from trade, investment and people-to-people movement from the proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor, which is considered as the new silk route,” said Alaina B Teplitz, US ambassador to Nepal.

Addressing the Everest International Model United Nations (EIMUN) conference here today, which was participated by university students of the south and central Asia, Ambassador Teplitz emphasised on deeper regional and inter-regional cooperation to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

“There is huge potential in south and central Asia to attain prosperity through deeper economic cooperation. These issues were not prioritised in the past but today it has become an essential priority of the nations.”

Ambassador Teplitz further said that regional forums are important for the economic and political cooperation. Energy trade agreement among south Asian nations, the Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal (BBIN) motor vehicle agreement and other achievements made so far in south Asia has to led the regional cooperation towards economic development. Cooperation in the multilateral, regional and bilateral level creates an opportunity for the investment and job creation, the US ambassador said.

The countries, especially the non-government sector, should also play an effective role in various areas to attain global goals set by the United Nations, she stressed.