Kathmandu, February 1

Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali today said the government was trying to make visible legal, policy and institutional reforms to boost the confidence of investors ahead of the International Investment Summit being held in Kathmandu from March 29 to 30.

In his briefing to the diplomatic community in the presence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Kathmandu, Gyawali said the government was focusing on translating its motto of ‘Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali’ into reality.

He said Nepal needed huge financial resources — both from within and outside the country — in productive sectors to realise the goal of economic transformation by modernising agriculture, building infrastructure, tapping energy potential, promoting tourism, developing human resources and generating employment opportunities.

“That is why we are hosting an International Investment Summit in March-end to invite foreign investors to Nepal,” he said at the event that saw representation from diplomatic missions in Kathmandu. “We’ll make all possible efforts to ensure a predictable, secure and attractive investment climate in Nepal.”

Gyawali also reiterated the government’s aim to ensure comprehensive democracy in which an individual was empowered not only politically but also economically, socially and culturally. He said the government would continue to promote and protect inclusion, participation, accountability and transparency to ensure equality, respect and dignity for all Nepali people.

On Nepal’s transitional justice process that has lately attracted concerns from the international community, Gyawali expressed the government’s commitment to addressing the remaining components of transitional justice in the best interest of the country and people.

Stating that internal matters could be resolved with Nepal’s commitment and efforts, he said, “Trust our commitment, willingness and capacity to close this chapter forever in the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Accord.” He reiterated that there would be no blanket amnesty for those who indulged in serious violations of human rights.

On Nepal’s foreign policy priorities for the days to come, Gyawali said the government would continue to pursue a principled, consistent and independent foreign policy with pragmatic approach and result-orientation.

“In promoting national interests, our external engagements have two clear goals: promoting Nepal’s credentials as an open and progressive democratic state at the international level and the pursuit of effective economic diplomacy to contribute to development imperatives at home,” he said.

Stating that the government would uphold its motto of ‘amity with all, and enmity with none’ and pursue its goals, keeping principles of the Panchasheel, non-alignment, UN Charter, international law, and norms of world peace at the centre.

He added that the government aimed at deepening cooperation with immediate neighbours — India and China — by focusing on economic partnership and building on existing cooperation with major powers, development partners, labour receiving countries and other friendly countries.

Gyawali said Nepal would continue active engagements in regional and multilateral forums and make efforts to revive the stalled SAARC process. Nepal believes that constructive multilateralism is the only way to achieve our collective interests.

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