Private sectors want connectivity earliest
Kathmandu, Mar. 24
Myanmar's
Union Minister for Commerce U Tun Ohn stressed importance to Buddhism linkages
between Nepal and Myanmar.
"Significance
of Lumbini to Myanmar people is of utmost importance and therefore Nepal is
very attractive destination for them. There is a need to establish direct air
connectivity between the two countries," he said while speaking at
'Nepal-Myanmar Trade and Tourism Expo 2025' organised by the Embassy of Nepal
in Yangon on March 21-22.
The
two governments have already initiated dialogues about the possibility of
conducting direct flights from Myanmar to the Gautam Buddha International
Airport in Bhairahawa – the gateway to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
The
two-day event was organised with the slogan 'Coming together for trade and tourism
promotion”, the Expo comprised of showcasing of commodities, tourism, and
information technologies by participating companies from Nepal and Myanmar, the
Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) informed in a statement.
Ambassador
of Nepal to Myanmar, Harishchandra Ghimire said that the Expo is Embassy’s
pursuit to enhance and extend Nepal and Myanmar relationship beyond historical
religious linkages and to consolidate partnership in potential sectors of
trade, tourism, businesses, and people-people relations.
He
hailed tourism and IT services as sectors where both countries can collaborate
for mutual benefits.
Presidents
of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries (UMFCCI)
and Nepal Myanmar Chambers of Commerce and Industry (NMCCI) also underlined the
potentialities for tourism and IT trade between two countries.
President
of NMCCI, Shiva Kumar Agrawal, stated that a direct air link will not only
boost tourism but also enhance business exchanges and cultural interactions.
"In
this regard, I would like urge the governments of Nepal and Myanmar to take the
initiative to operate direct flight between the two countries further," he
said.
According
to him, Nepal can benefit from Myanmar’s agricultural and natural resources,
such as pulses, timber, and edible oils. In return, Nepal’s handicrafts,
garments, herbal products, and tea have great demand in Myanmar.
Agrawal said
that one of the most promising areas for cooperation is tourism, particularly
religious tourism. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is a pilgrimage
destination for millions of Buddhists worldwide. Kapilvastu, Ramgram,
Bouddhanath and Swyambhunath are also world-renowned Buddhism sites.
By promoting
direct air connectivity between Myanmar and Lumbini, we can significantly
increase the flow of pilgrims and tourists, he said.
Likewise,
Kyaw Dewa, Joint Secretary General of UMFCCI, shared glimpse of Nepal-Myanmar
trade relations exploring huge potentials in commodity trade particularly
pulses and beans from Myanmar to Nepal and medicinal herbs, handicrafts from
Nepal to Myanmar.
During
the stall visit of more than 50 booths, the Union Minister and other guests
showed keen interests on the products and services showcased in the Expo, read
the statement. The booths comprised of commodity, fast-moving consumer goods
(FMCG), gems and jewelry, tourism, travels and tours.
The
event was supported and participated by NTB, KK Business Group, Kyay O Kyee
Petroleum Products Co. Ltd, Myanma Tourism Bank, and IT Partners- Awesome Asia,
Info Developers, Onepoint Financial Services, Citytech, Smart Choice
Technologies and Diyalo Technologies.
About
250 guests comprising of Government officials including Chief Minister of
Yangon Region, Minister of Economic Affairs of Yangon Region, representatives
from UMFCCI, members Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Network (MYAWEN), Presidents,
Vice Presidents and members of Union of Myanmar Travel Association (UMTA),
Myanmar Travel Federation (MTF) and Myanmar Tourism Marketing Association
(MTMA), representative from business community, CEOs and CCTOs from banking
sectors, members of Nepali community attended the event.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 March 2025.
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