Envoys to Germany, Belgium to promote investment in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov. 8

Newly appointed Ambassador to Germany Ram Kaji Khadka has said that he would work for attracting investment and technology to Nepal and making the bilateral relations result-oriented.

During a meeting with the Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Kishore Kumar Pradhan on Sunday, he pledged of working in an innovative way to promote economic diplomacy and close collaboration with the private sector.

"I am taking up the responsibility at the time when the COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging the global economy. However, that wouldn't deter me from contributing to the prosperity of the country and working with the private sector," he said.

Pradhan urged the ambassador to support in the economic and business development in Nepal. He also requested to help in the market promotion of Nepali goods that have potential in the European markets.

Meanwhile, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) held a brief discussion with the newly appointed envoy to Belgium Gehendra Rajbhandari.

Welcoming him at the office, CNI President Satish Kumar More emphasised on the application of economic diplomacy to promote foreign investment in Nepal.

He said that CNI was actively involving in creating employment through the mobilisation of domestic capital and strengthening the economy through industrialisation. "We are continuously advocating to remove the cumbersome process and legal constraints to attract Foreign Direct Investment and hoping for positive cooperation from the government," he said.

More said that Nepali carpet and handicraft products have good market in Belgium, and urged Rajbhandari to promote Nepali tourism there.

The envoy said that he would put his efforts in attracting investment in Nepal. "I will try to open up direct air services between Nepal and Europe," he said.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 November 2020.