Kathmandu, Dec. 10
The Confederation of Nepalese Industries
(CNI) has urged newly proposed Nepali ambassadors to accord top priority to strengthening
economic ties with their respective host countries.
Speaking at an economic dialogue with the
ambassadors-designate held on Monday, President of CNI, Rajesh Kumar Agrawal,
highlighted the critical role of ambassadors in linking foreign investors with
Nepal’s investment opportunities through economic diplomacy.
Stressing on the need for country-specific
economic strategies to promote investment and exports, he also urged all Nepali
embassies to appoint a 'focal contact person' to facilitate interactions with
both foreign and domestic investors.
He cited global examples to show that strong
and stable economic relations often outlast political ties and stressed the
importance of branding Nepal as a business-friendly destination.
"Nepal has conducted sovereign country
rating recently and got a comparatively good rating. I am confident that this
could attract investment in key sectors," he said while adding that as the
country is set to graduate to a developed country by 2026, there is a need to
reassure the business community and investors that this transition would not
affect Nepal's trade privileges.
The country should strive for signing preferential
trade agreements (PTAs) that align with Nepal's interests, said Agrawal.
The CNI also underscored the need to focus
on reducing the country’s high trade deficit by promoting Nepali goods,
tourism, information technology, industry, hydropower, and infrastructure
development.
Speaking on the occasion, Acting Foreign
Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai reminded the ambassadors of their responsibility to
promote Nepali products and facilitate Nepali businesses in foreign markets. He
urged them to help establish connections between Nepali entrepreneurs and
foreign investors and to support the export of Nepali goods and services.
Ambassador designates, including Dr.
Shankar Sharma, Sewa Lamsal, Chitralekha Yadav, Chandra Kumar Ghimire, Dr.
Sumnima Tuladhar, Dr. Jung Bahadur Chauhan, Prof. Kapil Man Shrestha, Prakash Mani
Paudel, Dr. Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe, Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali and Dr. Netra
Prasad Timilsina, pledged to represent Nepal’s interests effectively.
They affirmed their commitment to
prioritising economic diplomacy and facilitating private-sector initiatives for
the country’s economic development.
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