Kathmandu, Nov. 5
Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, said that his
visit of the United States of America will help to promote American investment
in the field of information technology in Nepal in the days to come.
Upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport on
Sunday evening after concluding a week-long US visit, the Foreign Minister expressed
his belief that the visit will contribute to the enhancement of mutual
friendship, understanding and cooperation between Nepal and the United States
and will contribute to raising the bilateral relations to a higher level.
FM Saud had left Kathmandu for the official US visit at
the invitation of his US counterpart Antony J. Blinken on October 29.
"I held virtual and in-person discussions with
Nepali American IT professionals and business owners employed in various
companies in the United States and other countries. I updated them about the
progress of the IT sector in Nepal and the contributions of Nepali-American business
owners in its development," he said.
"The Minister underscored the political stability in
Nepal and the government's unwavering commitment to fostering the growth of IT
solutions, attracting investments from IT companies to contribute significantly
to creation of rewarding jobs and the overall economic development of the
nation," the Embassy of Nepal in Washington DC had informed in a statement
on Thursday, November 2.
In the meeting with the US Secretary of State on October
30, Blinken, FM Saud sought enhanced level of support from the United States in
the areas of trade and investment, market access for Nepali goods, food
security and information technology sector.
He requested the United States for reauthorisation and
expansion of Nepal Trade Preference Programme (NTPP) and General System of
Preference (GSP) facilities by adding new exportable items of interest for
Nepal, informed the Embassy of Nepal in Washington, DC in a statement.
The two ministers deliberated on the issues including the
Millennium Challenge Corporation – Nepal Compact, Peace Corps Volunteers'
service in Nepal and development finance cooperation including US$ 125 million
loan to a Nepali bank to mobilise it to the small and medium enterprises
(SMEs).
They also stressed the importance of timely
implementation of the projects under the MCC - Nepal Compact.
"I have highlighted Nepal's development priorities
and requested the US government to increase its support in areas such as
information technology development, food security, agricultural development,
market access, investment and trade," said FM Saud.
According to him, he requested for the extension and
re-permission of GSP facility and Nepal Trade Preference Program (NTPP) by
adding exportable garments, footwear and pharmaceutical items for Nepal.
He also invited his US counterpart Blinken for the official
visit to Nepal. Minister Saud was accompanied by Ambassador Sridhar Khatri and
other senior officials from the Ministry and the Embassy during the meeting
with Blinken.
According to FM Saud, he held meetings with Administrator
of the USAID, Samantha Power, CEO of US International Development Finance
Corporation (DFC), Scott Nathan, CEO of MCC, Alice Albright, Senator Chris Van
Hollen, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights at
the Department of State Uzra Zeya and Senior Director at National Security
Council Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher.
FM Saud also interacted with the Nepali American business
community at the Embassy in Washington. During the interaction, he emphasized
the government's initiatives to promote investments in Nepal. The Minister
responded to a wide array of questions and concerns raised by the participants
regarding the investment climate and opportunities in Nepal.
The Minister
also attended a meeting at the US Chamber of Commerce headquarters in
Washington, DC where he witnessed the presentation of the Accreditation of the
American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal (AmCham) by the US Chamber of Commerce.
"I emphasised the need for increased engagement between the private sectors of
the two countries and invited US businesses to explore investment opportunities
in Nepal, including in energy, IT, tourism and other priority sectors," he
said.
No comments:
Post a Comment