Nepal-Israel CCI established

Kathmandu, Feb. 21:

Nepal Israel Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), a bilateral business association, has been established with an aim of promoting and boosting bilateral trade, investment and other economic activities between Nepal and Isreal.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat launched the newly established bilateral chamber of commerce and industry amidst a programme in the capital on Tuesday.

He said that sharing Israel’s experience on agriculture would be instrumental in developing agricultural sector and agro-industries in the country.

“Israel is also known for its advanced technologies in the field of medicine and agriculture. It has turned the desert into green fields. Therefore, if we can focus on agricultural technology transfer, it would contribute to increased productivity and boosting the economy,” said Dr. Mahat.

Israeli ambassador to Nepal Yaron Mayer said that the establishment of NICCI would further strengthen the diplomatic ties between Nepal and Israel, which established 57 years ago by then leaders BP Koirala, first democratically elected Prime Minister of Nepal and David Ben Gurion, first PM of Israel.

“For a long time, government activities and training programmes were dominant part between the two countries. I feel the time has come for the private sectors of both sides to take a lead and further push forward,” he said.

Saying that in many fields and technologies like agriculture, medicine, information technology and cyber matched with opportunities in Nepal could be a potential platform for economic collaboration and successful projects, Mayer stated that the governments and the regulators in both sides still held import responsibilities for facilitation conditions simplifying bureaucratic procedures and grant incentives and guarantees in order to ease the establishment of joint ventures.

Senior vice-chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) said that foreign employment, tourism and agriculture could be areas for immediate collaboration between the two countries.

“FNCCI is planning to develop a model farm in every province. Israel can be an important partner in training and developing entrepreneurs in this regard,” she said.

President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Hari Bhakta Sharma urged Israel to help in technology transfer, trade, investment and tourism.

President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) Rajesh Kazi Shrestha urged the Israeli businessmen to invest in Nepal.

 The executive committee of the NICCI has been formed under the leadership of Shisheer Kumar Bhatta as the president.

Rabi Chandra Sing is the vice-president of the organization, JR (Sagar) Thapa is secretary, Hemanta Golchha is treasures and Sailendra K Shrestha, Sandip K Sharda and Sudeep Acharya are the members.

Other members are Subashis Thapaliya, Prakash Dutel, Lokendra Karki, Kapil Dev Regmi, Bharat Raj Acharya, Nikhil Murarka, Sambridhi Gyawali, Bishnu Panthi, Sushil Khadka, Kishan Agrawal, Mani Chaulagain, Sreejana K.C., Arjun Dharel, Mohan Lama, Tanka Raj Acharya, Birendra Pandey, Shiva Dangal and Binay Upadhyay.

Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Zvi Herman delivered a presentation on Israel’s latest water related technology.

Nepal is one of the first countries in Asia to recognize the establishment of Israel and establish bilateral ties with it.

Diplomatic relationship between Nepal and Israel was established on June 01, 1960.

Israel opened its embassy in Kathmandu in March 1961.