Kathmandu, November 18:

A bilateral body of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Federation of Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) formed to facilitate bilateral trade, joint investment and tourism promotion between Nepal and Pakistan — Joint Business Council (JBC) — is scheduled to meet on Sunday in Kathmandu. A nine-member Pakistani team led by Chaudhary Mohammad Saeed, president of FPCCI, is arriving in the capital tomorrow to take part in the meeting. Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of FNCCI will lead the Nepali delegation.

Pakistani government has provided duty free access to tea, jute and jute products form Nepal, in recommendation of the first meeting of the council held in Karachi in 2002. The council has been working in fostering economic and trade ties, and investment and tourism promotion between the two South Asian nations. The council has been addressing problems in the field of trade, joint investment and economic relations, tring to find opportunities between the two countries and suggesting the respective governments on such issues. The council also holds discussion on the issues that Nepal-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) highlighted in its meeting recently. The Pakistani delegation is scheduled to meet FNCCI officials and the government officials.