Suraj Vaidya elected Dean of Honorary Consular Corps

 Kathmandu, July 24

Suraj Vaidya, Chairman of the Vaidya Organisation of Industries and Trading Houses, has been unanimously elected Dean of the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN), the association representing honorary consuls in Nepal.

The 19th Annual General Meeting and Charter Day of the association held in Kathmandu on Thursday unanimously elected him to the post.

Vaidya, a former President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), serves as the Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Nepal.

The newly elected Dean said that attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Nepal and promoting tourism and strengthening economic diplomacy would be the key priorities during his tenure.

He succeeds Bhola Thapa, Nepal's Honorary Consul for Bulgaria, as Dean. The General Assembly also elected Pasang Dawa Sherpa as Vice Dean of HCCN.

In a press statement issued on Thursday after assuming office, Vaidya said he would work proactively to strengthen Nepal's ties with the international community and expand economic cooperation. He noted that HCCN currently represents more than 64 countries, whose contributions to the global economy, international trade, technology, innovation, tourism and investment are significant.

He said that deepening Nepal's engagement with these countries, which together have a combined population of more than five billion and an economic output exceeding US$100 trillion, presents an important opportunity for the country's economic development.

Vaidya has decades of experience in Nepal's industrial sector. The Vaidya Organisation, a business house with a history spanning more than six decades, has long served as the authorised distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nepal. In recent years, the group has also expanded its investments beyond the automotive sector into cement and hospitality.

 

FM Khanal calls on Honorary Consuls to support economic diplomacy

Speaking at the HCCN event, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal urged honorary consuls to play a more active and results-oriented role in promoting trade, investment, tourism and technology transfer, as Nepal places economic diplomacy at the heart of its foreign policy.

He stressed that honorary consuls should make a stronger contribution to expanding Nepal's economic partnerships with countries around the world.

According to him, honorary consuls have served as an important bridge between Nepal and countries that do not maintain resident diplomatic missions in Kathmandu, making valuable contributions to strengthening people-to-people ties as well as commercial, cultural and institutional relations.

Khanal said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to providing the necessary support to enable honorary consuls to carry out their responsibilities more effectively.

"The Ministry will review the existing regulations, facilities and operating procedures governing honorary consuls in line with changing needs, and introduce reforms consistent with national and international legal frameworks and established practices," he said.

He said the government's key international priorities include expanding strategic partnerships, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), improving market access, promoting technology partnerships, boosting tourism and advancing sustainable development.

"Honorary consuls are indispensable partners in achieving these objectives. Through your professional networks, knowledge of local markets and close engagement with both the public and private sectors, you can make a significant contribution to promoting trade, investment, tourism, education and cultural exchange," Khanal said.