All should contribute to country's economic development: VP Yadav

 Kathmandu, July 23

Vice-President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav has said that all should contribute to country's economic development and prosperity by attracting investment in the potential areas like hydroelectricity, and tourism.

Honorary consuls should play an important role in maintaning better relations with the friendly countries and attract investment as well as tourists, he said while addressing the 16^th Annual General Meeting and Charter Day of Honorary Consular Corps - Nepal (HCC-N) in the Capital on Sunday.

He also urged the NCC-N to play a proactive role in garnering support for the mitigation of climate change impacts.

"Representing 59 countries that have diplomatic relations with Nepal but do not have resident embassies, the support and contribution of this organization to strengthen the economic, commercial and cultural relations between those countries and Nepal is commendable," Vice President Yadav said.

He expressed confidence that the HCC-N will continue to strengthen the diplomatic relations by enhancing the reputation of Nepal and enhancing the closeness between the people of Nepal and the friendly countries that appoint them.

Vice President Yadav said that this organization should also focus on taking initiatives with related countries to minimize the problems created due to climate change in Nepal. According to him, it is necessary for Nepal, which is leading the journey of economic prosperity, to maintain harmonious and peaceful relations with all the countries with which friendly relations have been established.

Speaking at the programme, NP Saud, Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that honorary consuls fill up the diplomatic gap between the two countries in terms of communication and bilateral exchanges. He expressed his commitment to extend required support to the honorary consuls and consul generals.

FM Saud appreciated the efforts of the honorary consuls during the disasters like earthquake in 2015 and Covid-19 pandemic for conducting rescue and relief efforts.

"We need more investment both domestic and foreign to expand production, job creation and facilitate economic growth. HCC-N can play an instrumental role in this regard," he said.

Out-going Dean of the HCC-N, Dinesh Shrestha, Honorary Consul of Malta, said that honorary consul generals and honorary consuls worked tirelessly to strengthen the relationship between sending countries and Nepal, fostering economic and social ties at the grass root level through trade and tourism.

"Our collective efforts have contributed to the growth of bilateral relationships and exploration of new opportunities in investment and collaboration," he said.

Likewise, newly appointed Dean of the organisation, Vishnu Kumar Agrawal, who is the Honorary Consul General of Czech Republic, said that he would further explore the opportunities to enhance the trade and investment ties with the friendly countries.

Fifty-nine countries have appointed honorary consuls and consular generals to represent them in Nepal. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 July 2023.