Kathmandu, July 26:
Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has requested the Ambassador of Pakistan, Abrar Hussain Hashmi, for the operation of direct air service between Nepal and Pakistan.
In a meeting organised to welcome the newly appointed Pakistani envoy at its secretariat on Tuesday, the NCC said that direct air connectivity is necessary to facilitate trade and tourism activities between the two countries.
Nepal and Pakistan both are members of the South Asian Association of Regional Corporation (SAARC), the regional mechanism which has become a hostage of India-Pakistan rivalry for the last one decade or so.
President of the NCC, Rajendra Malla, stated that air services should be put into operation immediately for the growth of trade between the two countries, tourism exchange and expansion of other economic and commercial activities.
He urged Ambassador Hashmi to take initiatives at the government level to operate air services and to cooperate in the private sector as well. "Air distance between Nepal and Pakistan is only three hours.
If it can be utilised, trade between the two countries can be increased and tourism can be expanded. As SAARC member countries, both countries can benefit by increasing many other economic activities," said Malla.
According to him, the NCC and Pakistan Chamber of Commerce are ready for high-level meetings as there is a possibility of business cooperation in many fields.
Through the cooperation between the private sector organisations, there is great potential for both countries to benefit by increasing joint investment in air service operations and small and medium enterprises.
Currently, Nepal is importing medicines, processed leather products, machinery goods, shoes, slippers and other goods from Pakistan while it is exporting honey, coffee, tea, handicrafts, cardamom, eye lenses, and yarn. An average of 4,000 tourists from Pakistan visit Nepal every year.
Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal Hashmi said that there should be an initiative at the government level for the operation of air services.
He stressed the need for identifying areas of economic potential between Nepal and Pakistan to benefit both countries.
"For this, priority areas should be identified. I will take the initiative to expand business activities by conducting discussions between the officials of the chamber of commerce of the two countries," said Hashmi.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 July 2023.
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