Indonesian envoy stresses on people-to-people relations with Nepal

 Kathmandu, Sept. 21

Ambassador of Indonesia to Nepal based in New Delhi, India, Heru Hartanto Subolo, has stressed on the need to strengthen the people-to-people relations between Nepal and Indonesia.

“I am here in Nepal to explore the possibilities in various areas of cultural associations and people to people connections,” he said while speaking at Nepal Indonesia Business Forum 2022 jointly organised by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) And Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi on Wednesday in Kathmandu.

According to him, there is a need to explore the tourism opportunities like Lumbini and Jakarta between the two countries, enhance the capacity of the entrepreneurs and system and plan to launch direct flight between the two countries.

He is in Kathmandu to promote the upcoming Trade Expo Indonesia 2022. He is leading a delegation of Indonesian businesspersons and industrialists.

“Our interest is to facilitate policy to create more connection between the industry and trade of Indonesia and Nepal. There will be a direct flight service coming in operation in r future and on-arrival-visa for Nepali people in Indonesia,” said Ambassador Subolo.

He also said that the trade expo would introduce various potential sectors of business and investment which Nepali businesspersons might have not known. According to him, while Nepali businesspersons can visit Indonesia with tourist visa or business visa, the country is planning to provide 'special visa' for them.

Likewise, he informed that preparations were underway for signing a memorandum of understanding between the two countries for visa arrangement facility for diplomats and officials.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ambassador Subolo with his delegation called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba where he said that India was positive about establishing residential embassy of Indonesia in Nepal.

Chandra Prasad Dhakal, Senior Vice-President of the FNCCI who is also the honorary consul of Indonesia to Nepal, said that both the countries have gone a long way in their diplomatic relations since 1960s however following the establishment of the honorary consul of Indonesia in Nepal, business relations have also begun to prosper between them.

Trade Expo in Indonesia can be a platform for the businesspersons of both the country for the promotion of trade, business and investment, he said. “Hydropower and tourism in Nepal can be rewarding areas of foreign direct investment, and we are ready to welcome investment in these sectors,” he said.

President of FNCCI, Shekhar Golchha, stressed on greater business and investment ties between the two countries.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 September 2022.