Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 10:

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has signed different memorandum of understandings (MoUs) with three leading Pakistani business organisations to promote bilateral business between Nepal and Pakistan.

These organisations are Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

CNI president Binod Kumar Chaudhary signed the pacts on behalf of CNI, while Khaleez Firaj, president of KCCI, Tariq Aziz, president of ICCI and Miya Miswah-Ur Rehaman, president of LCCI signed on behalf of their respective organisations. These MoUs were signed during a recent visit of CNI delegation to Pakistan.

“The visit was very successful in fostering bilateral relations as well as having a deep insight into the economic and industrial progress made by Pakistan in recent years,” said Chaudhary, at a press meet today, following the visit to Pakistan.

He informed that Pakistan has agreed to allocate 4,000 metric tonnes’ quota for Nepali tea with zero import duty. “After a meeting with Humayu Abtar Khan, Pakistani minister for commerce, agreed to allocate a separate duty free quota for Nepali tea,” he said.

Referring to the assurance from the Pakistani industry minister Zhagir Khan Tareen, Chaudhary informed that the Pakistani government and private sector are keen to help revive Hetauda Textile Factory and Hetauda Tannery Industry through support in management and technical assistance. Both the state-owned industries are closed for last couple of years.

According to him, a high-level Pakistani pharmaceutical industry delegation, is scheduled to visit Nepal shortly to explore investment opportunities as well as market their products.

LCCI and CNI has also reached an understanding to conduct vocational training for disabled people on an annual basis, in which LCCI will provide trainers and a course of study. Chaudhary said that this step would be a milestone in private sector’s contribution to society, as LCCI conducts training for 1,000 disabled people and its member companies employ all of them. He also informed that an informal understanding has been reached with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to reduce freight charges for carrying Nepali cargo from Kathmandu to Karachi. “PIA has reacted positively to the reduction in freight charge to $0.45 per kg from $0.68 on bulk cargo, which will certainly help boost exports,” he added.

Chaudhary also informed that CNI will set up a Pakistan desk at CNI secretariat to facilitate private sector relationship with different Pakistani private sector as well as government institutions.

Zamir Akram, Pakistani ambassador to Nepal, urged a regular follow up procedure and tangible steps to exploit the huge trade and business opportunities between the two countries.

He also said that the Pakistani government has already proposed for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Nepal and Pakistan to bolster bilateral trade, investment and business opportunities.

An 11-member delegation of CNI, led by Binod Kumar Chaudhary, had visited Pakistan from January 31 to February 6.