KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 3
Private sector and government officials have emphasised the need for cooperation between Nepali diplomatic missions and the private sector in promoting foreign investment and exports during the current challenging economic times.
These sentiments were expressed during a discussion on the collaboration between Nepali missions abroad and the private sector for effective economic diplomacy, organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Foreign Minister NP Saud stressed the need for the active involvement of the private sector in boosting exports, tourism, and attracting foreign investment.
He also stressed that the Nepali ambassadors in different countries should cooperate and coordinate closely with the private sector.
Shankardas Bairagi, national security advisor to the National Security Council, and former chief and foreign secretary, highlighted the importance of expanding the scope of Nepali missions and fostering collaboration with the private sector.
Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal, while congratulating the newly appointed ambassadors, highlighted the importance of bilateral agency cooperation for expanding economic diplomacy.
He also suggested that the private sector focus on product and market diversification.
Kewal Bhandari, secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security, proposed renaming economic diplomacy as 'labour diplomacy'.
Finance Secretary Arjun Pokharel assured that necessary budget would be allocated for the expansion of economic diplomacy.
Madhu Marasini, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, stressed the need to increase Nepal's role in the World Trade Organisation and analyse the impact of upgrading from the league of least developed countries.
Ganesh Pandey, secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, underscored the crucial role of missions in mitigating the impact of upgrading from least developed countries.
Bharatmani Subedi, secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, emphasised the significant role of diplomatic missions in the operation of the newly opened Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports.
In the presence of high-ranking government officials and newly appointed ambassadors, FNCCI President Chandra Dhakal highlighted the potential for improvement if Nepali foreign missions actively engage in their work.
Dhan Bahadur Oli, ambassador for Thailand, expressed readiness to listen to the private sector's suggestions, while also encouraged them to focus on key issues.
Outgoing FNCCI president Shekhar Golchha stressed on need to create opportunities for business expansion in the current situation.
Senior Vice-President of FNCCI, Anjan Shrestha, assured continuous cooperation between the federation and foreign delegations.
The government recently appointed ambassadors for various countries, including Sudhir Bhattarai for France, Tej Bahadur Chhetri for UAE, Ghanshyam Lamsal for Oman, Ram Prasad Subedi for Switzerland, and Lok Wahadur Thapa for the United Nations Mission in New York.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 04, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
