Kathmandu, December 16

Nepal and Bangladesh have agreed to complete all bilateral trade-related agreements to boost trade between two the South Asian neighbours.

Nepal’s Minister for Commerce and Supplies Ganeshman Pun and his Bangladeshi counterpart Tofail Ahmed agreed to boost trade ties at the ongoing WTO ministerial conference in Nairobi of Kenya yesterday.

During the meeting, Minister Pun recalled Bangladesh’s support to the earthquake victims of Nepal following the April 25 tremblor and extended sincere thanks to the Government of Bangladesh for the gesture of friendship and cooperation.

According to a statement issued by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in Geneva, Pun also touched upon the difficulties Nepal has been facing due to the obstruction of cargo vehicles at the southern border, and efforts to improve the current supply situation, particularly the supply of fuel and other essential commodities.

“The two ministers agreed to complete all bilateral trade and related agreements which are at various stages of negotiation as early as possible,” the statement added.

Bangladeshi Minister Ahmed described Nepal as Bangladesh’s good friend from the SAARC region and assured Minister Pun that Bangladesh would be ready to cooperate with Nepal at all times.

In the context of severe fuel crisis due to the blockade, the Bangladeshi side assured it would provide transit if Nepal wished to import petroleum products from third countries.

Leading an 11-member delegation, Minister Pun reached Nairobi on December 14 to attend the WTO conference that kicked off yesterday and is set to conclude tomorrow.