Kathmandu, September 11:

The five-day Nepal-Tibet-China Economic and Trade Expo 2007 kicked off today at the Birendra International Conference Centre in Kathmandu.

Rajendra Mahato, minister for industry, commerce and supplies and Deng Xiaogang, vice chairman of the Tibetan government jointly inaugurated the fair organised with an aim to promote bilateral trade, commerce and investment opportunities.

Businessmen and the government officials stressed the need to expand trade and economic relations between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China for the benefit of both the countries.

Minister Mahato called upon the Tibetan business community to increase the volume of investment in all sectors in Nepal. He said organising trade fairs regularly in both the countries would help expand trade and economic ties for mutual benefits.

Mahato said the government has already asked the Tibetan authorities to decrease the tariff barriers so as to provide more access to the Nepali products in Chinese markets.

Xiaogang, vice chairman of the Tibet government said technical exchanges through trade fairs would help share experiences and promote economic and business relations between Nepal and Tibet. He said the Tibetan business community was interested to strengthen this relation.

Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of FNCCI asked both the Nepal government and Tibetan authorities to open up alternative routes to widen the trade relations.

Zheng Xiaglin, Chinese ambassador to Nepal stated that China has emphasised on the construction of Galchhi-Syafru Beshi road and infrastructure development at Nepal-Tibet border -Khasha so as to further expand trade between the two countries.

Highlighting the benefits that Nepal can reap from trade relations with Tibet, Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, president of Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry asked the Chinese government to expand the railway services up to Nepal border. He further said the Nepal government must begin its homework to build infrastructure along the border with Tibet to increase the trade volume once railway service arrive there. The fair is being held every two years alternatively in both the countries since 1990 to promote business and share technical and economical expertise.