FM Sharma calls on Bangladeshi PM

Kathmandu, Feb. 17

Minister for Foreign Affairs Bala Nanda Sharma called on the newly elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman on Tuesday evening.

He handed over a congratulatory message from the Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka informed in a statement.

In her message, PM Karki congratulated Rahman on his election and expressed her willingness to work together in a spirit of mutual respect, shared commitment, and partnership to ensure that Nepal-Bangladesh ties continue to flourish for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples. 

FM Sharma also congratulated Rahman on leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a resounding victory in the national elections held on 12 February 2026 and commended the Government of Bangladesh for the successful conduct of elections and smooth transition to the democratic process.

Foreign Minister Sharma attended the Oath-taking Ceremony of Prime Minister Rahman. President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin administered to them the oath of office at a special ceremony held at the National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad) campus. 

According to the Embassy, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister underscored that FM Sharma's visit reflected the solidarity and goodwill of the government and people of Nepal towards the government and people of Bangladesh.

"The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the enduring partnership between Nepal and Bangladesh and held a constructive exchange on advancing bilateral cooperation across areas of trade, investment, energy, connectivity, education, and tourism, among others," read the statement.  

Prime Minister Rahman expressed his best wishes for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Nepal. 

Foreign Minister Sharma also held a meeting with the leader of the opposition and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. During the meeting, the two leaders deliberated on key areas of bilateral cooperation.

FM Sharma reached Bangladesh on Monday, and will return to Nepal on Thursday.  

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 February 2026.     

PM Karki congratulates Rahman

Kathmandu, Feb. 13

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has congratulated the people and the Government of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the 13^th parliamentary elections.

In her post on X on Friday, she extended her congratulations to Tarique Rahman on leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a remarkable victory in the elections.

“I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our neighbourly ties and consolidate cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” she said. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 February 2026.    

Prospering Together

 

Along with a struggle to find political stability, Nepal and Bangladesh share multiple similarities. They are the members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), are graduating to 'developing nation' status from the Least Developed Country by the end of this year, and are pursuing strategies for industrial and export growth. 

However, differences are stark – Bangladesh is a rapidly industrialising coastal country with maritime access, a large market with 170 million people with average per capita income (PCI) of US$ 2,820, against landlocked Nepal's 30 million people with average PCI of US$ 1,490. Nepal was the seventh country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country when it was created in 1971. They signed the Transit Agreement and Trade and Payments Agreement and offered favour to each other in customs duties and other charges on export and import of goods between them. 

Recently, after years of hiatus, Nepal started supplying electricity to Bangladesh in 2024. Bangladesh has shown interest in investing up to Rs. US$ 1 billion in the first phase of Nepal's hydropower projects, and importing electricity in a large amount. Currently, Nepal is exporting 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh. Despite having good trade relations, Nepal is witnessing a huge trade deficit with Bangladesh. In the last Fiscal Year 2024/25, Nepal imported merchandise worth Rs. 5.18 billion from Bangladesh and exported goods worth only Rs. 666.1 million, creating a trade deficit of Rs. 4.51 billion. 

Nepal's major export goods include lentils, oil-cake, cane molasses, bran, food, and medicinal plants, while it imports soyabean, oil-cake, raw jute, parts of engines, medicines, and potatoes. Experts in Nepal say that the tariff and para-tariff imposed by Bangladesh on Nepali products have made the latter less competitive in the markets there. Unfortunately, the two developing nations of the same region haven't resolved the complexities in bilateral trade exchanges. 

A study conducted by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment and published last year identified that minerals and metals, textiles, chemicals, clothing, agricultural products, oilseeds and fats, wood and paper, and leather and footwear have high potential for export to Bangladesh. However, Nepal lacks a country-wide policy to promote exports and has a poor economic diplomacy exercise. Various strategies devised for trade integration couldn't alter the existing unfavourable environment in foreign trade.   

Amidst such a situation, the commerce secretary-level meeting between the two countries held last week in Dhaka aptly underscored the need for deepening bilateral economic partnership, including joint-venture investment and trade. Nepali delegation led by Commerce Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire stressed on enhancing bilateral trade by reducing trade-related barriers, including the tariff and non-tariff ones. 

In response, Bangladesh expressed its readiness to collaborate in trade and investment, connectivity, and tourism. Bangladesh's Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman reaffirmed commitment to simplifying customs procedures and enhancing trade facilitation. Nepal also maintained that there is a need for close cooperation to promote collective interests at the regional and international forums, as both countries are graduating to 'developing country' status. 

Likewise, the two countries have agreed to expedite negotiations on the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), rules of origin, and product list. Nepal should take this opportunity to simplify the entry process of Nepali products into the Bangladeshi market. Meanwhile, efforts should be boosted to attract investment in hydroelectricity and industry and attract more Bangladeshi tourists to Nepal. 

Nepal should prepare a comprehensive list of products that can have competitive and comparative advantages, and focus on their production and development. It is high time that the two neighbours collaborate at the regional and international level to promote each other's interests to achieve shared prosperity. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 January 2026.  

Prospering Together

Along with a struggle to find political stability, Nepal and Bangladesh share multiple similarities. They are the members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), are graduating to 'developing nation' status from the Least Developed Country by the end of this year, and are pursuing strategies for industrial and export growth. 

However, differences are stark – Bangladesh is a rapidly industrialising coastal country with maritime access, a large market with 170 million people with average per capita income (PCI) of US$ 2,820, against landlocked Nepal's 30 million people with average PCI of US$ 1,490. Nepal was the seventh country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country when it was created in 1971. They signed the Transit Agreement and Trade and Payments Agreement and offered favour to each other in customs duties and other charges on export and import of goods between them. 

Recently, after years of hiatus, Nepal started supplying electricity to Bangladesh in 2024. Bangladesh has shown interest in investing up to Rs. US$ 1 billion in the first phase of Nepal's hydropower projects, and importing electricity in a large amount. Currently, Nepal is exporting 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh. Despite having good trade relations, Nepal is witnessing a huge trade deficit with Bangladesh. In the last Fiscal Year 2024/25, Nepal imported merchandise worth Rs. 5.18 billion from Bangladesh and exported goods worth only Rs. 666.1 million, creating a trade deficit of Rs. 4.51 billion. 

Nepal's major export goods include lentils, oil-cake, cane molasses, bran, food, and medicinal plants, while it imports soyabean, oil-cake, raw jute, parts of engines, medicines, and potatoes. Experts in Nepal say that the tariff and para-tariff imposed by Bangladesh on Nepali products have made the latter less competitive in the markets there. Unfortunately, the two developing nations of the same region haven't resolved the complexities in bilateral trade exchanges. 

A study conducted by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment and published last year identified that minerals and metals, textiles, chemicals, clothing, agricultural products, oilseeds and fats, wood and paper, and leather and footwear have high potential for export to Bangladesh. However, Nepal lacks a country-wide policy to promote exports and has a poor economic diplomacy exercise. Various strategies devised for trade integration couldn't alter the existing unfavourable environment in foreign trade.   

Amidst such a situation, the commerce secretary-level meeting between the two countries held last week in Dhaka aptly underscored the need for deepening bilateral economic partnership, including joint-venture investment and trade. Nepali delegation led by Commerce Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire stressed on enhancing bilateral trade by reducing trade-related barriers, including the tariff and non-tariff ones. 

In response, Bangladesh expressed its readiness to collaborate in trade and investment, connectivity, and tourism. Bangladesh's Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman reaffirmed commitment to simplifying customs procedures and enhancing trade facilitation. Nepal also maintained that there is a need for close cooperation to promote collective interests at the regional and international forums, as both countries are graduating to 'developing country' status. 

Likewise, the two countries have agreed to expedite negotiations on the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), rules of origin, and product list. Nepal should take this opportunity to simplify the entry process of Nepali products into the Bangladeshi market. Meanwhile, efforts should be boosted to attract investment in hydroelectricity and industry and attract more Bangladeshi tourists to Nepal. 

Nepal should prepare a comprehensive list of products that can have competitive and comparative advantages, and focus on their production and development. It is high time that the two neighbours collaborate at the regional and international level to promote each other's interests to achieve shared prosperity. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 January 2026. 

Nepal-Bangladesh CSLM underscores deepening bilateral economic ties

Kathmandu, Jan. 15

The Eighth Commerce Secretary Level Meeting (CSLM) between Nepal and Bangladesh concluded on Wednesday in Dhaka with a stress on the need for deepening bilateral economic partnership, including joint venture investments and trade.

Speaking at the two-day meeting, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire, said that there is a need for enhancing bilateral trade by reducing trade-related barriers, including other duties and charges.

He also highlighted the need for close cooperation to promote collective interests at the regional and international forums in view of the impending LDC graduation, the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka informed in a statement.   

Likewise, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh, Mahbubur Rahman, underscored the need to work together to deepen economic partnership through collaboration in trade and investment, connectivity, and tourism. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to upgrading transport infrastructure, simplifying customs procedures, and enhancing trade facilitation to unlock new opportunities in bilateral economic cooperation.

The meeting reviewed the progress made since the 7^th CSLM held in Kathmandu in April 2024.

Both sides agreed to convene the Trade Negotiating Committee meeting within the next three months to expedite negotiations on the PTA text, Rules of Origin and product lists, informed the embassy. The two sides also agreed to work closely on harmonising customs procedures, facilitating cross-border payments, and addressing broader non-tariff barriers to foster a more robust partnership in trade and investment.

“Taking stock of the investment linkages between the two countries, both sides stressed the importance of joint venture investments, particularly in hydropower development in Nepal and in value-chain development of goods and services. They also agreed to promote tourism cooperation, including through the development of a joint action plan and regular exchanges,” read the statement.  

According to the Embassy, Dr. Ghimire and Rahman led the delegation of their respective countries. The delegation of Nepal included officials of the MoICS, the Ministry of Finance, and the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka, while the Bangladesh delegation comprised representatives from various ministries.

The ninth CSLM will be held in Kathmandu.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 January 2026. 

Minister Sharma attends Khaleda Zia's funeral

Kathmandu, Dec. 31

Minister for Foreign Affairs Bala Nanda Sharma attended the state funeral of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Begum Khaleda Zia, in Dhaka, on Wednesday.

A floral wreath was laid at the burial site of the mortal remains of late Khaleda Zia on behalf of the Foreign Minister and the Government of Nepal, the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka informed in a statement.

FM Sharma also met the son of the late Begum Zia and the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Tarique Rahman and conveyed condolences. According to the Embassy, FM Sharma noted that Begum Zia was a distinguished statesperson who played a significant role in Bangladesh’s political and democratic journey.

Rahman expressed hope that the excellent friendship and cooperation between the two countries would continue to flourish in the days ahead. 

In the afternoon on Wednesday, FM Sharma called on the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh Dr. Muhammad Yunus where he handed over him a message from the Prime Minister of Nepal Sushila Karki, which noted the significant role Begum Zia played in strengthening Nepal-Bangladesh relations, particularly during her three tenures as the Prime Minister.

FM Sharma underscored that she would be remembered for her contributions to the growth and development of Bangladesh, and for her strong advocacy of regional cooperation and solidarity.

Chief Advisor, Dr. Yunus expressed his gratitude for Nepal’s true friendship and its enduring support to Bangladesh ever since the country’s independence, including during the difficult times, read the statement. The two leaders also deliberated on the excellent state of Nepal-Bangladesh relationship. They explored ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, energy, connectivity, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Foreign Minister is on a visit to Bangladesh from December 30, 2025, to 1 January 2026 to attend the state funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia. He will leave Dhaka for Kathmandu on Thursday afternoon. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 1 January 2026. 

Bangladesh envoy to help in promoting Nepali exports

Kathmandu, Nov. 6

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Nepal, Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman, expressed his commitment to making every possible effort to reduce the trade deficit by promoting Nepal’s exports.

During discussions with the officials of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), Ambassador Rahman also noted Nepal’s immense potential in the tourism sector and highlighted that cultural and educational ties between the two countries remain strong, even at the people-to-people level.

Speaking on the occasion, President of the NCC, Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, emphasised that Nepal and Bangladesh need to work together and create a conducive trading environment in order to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries.

He pointed out that Nepal imports goods worth approximately USD 30.88 million from Bangladesh annually, while exporting only around USD 3.33 million worth of goods, reflecting a significant trade imbalance.

According to Agrawal, the lack of a direct trade route and dependence on Indian transit routes have increased transportation costs, causing delays and complications in trade. He stressed that both sides should prioritise expanding direct road and rail connectivity between Nepal and Bangladesh. 

“Nepali products such as lentils, spices, fruits, and dairy items have good market potential in Bangladesh, but these opportunities have yet to be fully utilised,” Agrawal added.

He further stated that the regional cooperation framework among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) could be effectively used to enhance collaboration in trade, energy, and transport.

Likewise, Agrawal urged both countries to elevate their economic relations through direct cooperation between the private sectors, trade exhibitions, investment conferences, and policy facilitation.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 7 November 2025.        

Nepali mission in Bangladesh hosts bilateral trade and investment forum

Kathmandu, Jan. 30

The Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka, Bangladesh organised a programme on 'Trade and Investment Linkages between Nepal and Bangladesh' on Wednesday evening.

Speaking at the programme, Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari highlighted the growing economic engagements between Nepal and Bangladesh and informed that progress is achieved in sectors such as trade, connectivity, energy, and tourism, the Embassy informed in a statement.

Referred to the first-ever flow of 40 MW hydroelectricity from Nepal to Bangladesh, he underscored that energy cooperation provides mutual benefits not only to the two countries but also to the entire South Asia region. Ambassador Bhandari also urged Bangladeshi business leaders to build synergetic partnerships with Nepal’s business community and utilise investment opportunities available in Nepal.

Chief Executive Officer of Investment Board Nepal, Sushil Gyawali, informed the Bangladeshi entrepreneurs about Nepal’s investment climate, opportunities, and priority sectors.

He outlined Nepal’s strategic initiatives to create a conducive environment to attract foreign direct investment and elaborated on investment opportunities in priority sectors such as energy, tourism, agriculture, information and communication technology, urban infrastructure, health, manufacturing, and mines and minerals.

Executive Member of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Dr. Khandoker Azizul Islam, expressed commitment to work together with Nepal to strengthen investment ties in mutually beneficial areas.

Chairman of the National Bank Ltd. and former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Abdul Awal Mintoo, shared his perspectives on doing business in Nepal and underlined the need to consolidate economic ties between the two countries.

According to the Embassy, the event brought together eminent business leaders of Bangladesh including representatives of FBCCI and, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 31 January 2025.  

Trilateral pact signed to export Nepal's electricity to Bangladesh

Nepal to export 40-MW electricity to Bangladesh using Indian transmission lines

 

Kathmandu, Oct. 3

Nepal is all set to export electricity produced here to Bangladesh.

This historic milestone was achieved after Nepal India and Bangladesh signed a tripartite agreement that allows Nepal sell its electricity to Bangladesh using land and transmission infrastructure of India. Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) signed the agreement at a programme organised in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Executive Director of the NEA, Kulman Ghishing, Chairman of BPDB, Mohammad Rezaul Karim, and CEO of NVVN, Renu Narang signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisation and country. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka of Nepal, Minister for Forest, Environment, Climate Change and Water Resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan of Bangladesh and Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava were present on the occasion.

In the first phase, Nepal will export 40 megawatt of electricity to Bangladesh during the wet season – six months from mid-June to mid-November, for the next five years. According to the NEA, electricity generated from the NEA developed companies 25 MW Trishuli and 22 MW Chilime hydroelectricity projects will be exported to Bangladesh at the rate of 6.40 US cent. Ghishing said that Nepal is likely to earn US$ 9.2 million (about Rs. 1.22 billion) a year.  

Meter of the energy export would be installed in Mujaffarpur, India and the losses up to that point would be borne by the NEA and losses from Mujaffarpur to Bangladesh border would be the responsibility of Bangladeshi company while the wheeling charges for the use of NVVN's transmission line would be paid by Bangladesh.

 

15,000MW to India, Bangladesh

Ghishing said that Nepal has a target of exporting 10,000-MW electricity to India, and 5,000 MW to Bangladesh. Nepal has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India in January this year for the export following India's announcement in September 2023 to import the electricity of that amount for a 10-year period.

Earlier in December 2023, Bangladesh had approved a proposal from the BPDB to import 40-MW electricity from Nepal. In the following months, the NEA and BPDB had also agreed upon the rate of energy trade and preparations were made for the final agreement but the political upheaval in Bangladesh affected the process. Before the fall of the Sheikh Hasina's government, the two countries were in the final phase of inking electricity trade agreement for 40-MW and Bangladesh's minister for state for energy was scheduled to come to Nepal.

 

A prolonged effort

This historic feat was achieved after a hiatus of about a decade. In its Energy System Master Plan formulated in 2016, Bangladesh had mentioned that it would import electricity from Nepal. But there was an obligation to use the Indian infrastructure and a fresh agreement with the southern neighbour to transmit electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh had said that it could buy as much as 9000-Mw electricity from Nepal that could provide an immense opportunity for the latter to reduce trade deficit with the former. In 2018, Bangladesh had pointed to the need for a trilateral and multilateral framework for the energy trade in the region.

The then Bangladeshi ambassador to Nepal, Mashfee Binte Shams had said that the power-starving south Asian nation was even ready to make investment of up to US$ 1 billion in hydropower projects in Nepal. By then, India had given a positive nod for the facilitation in Bangladesh's power trade with Nepal and Bhutan. Bangladesh, the country that is being upgraded to a 'developing nation' from a Least Developed Country (LDC) along with Nepal in 2026, will require 34,000-MW of power by 2030 to sustain its growth.

Last year, a secretary-level committee of Nepal and Bangladesh had agreed to develop 683-MW reservoir-based Sunkoshi III Hydroelectricity project with joint investment. Now India has also been incorporated as an investor in the project.

Likewise, in 2019, Bangladesh government had decided to purchase 500-MW electricity from the GMR Upper Karnali Hydroelectricity Project but the project development is still in a limbo.

Meanwhile in March 2021, Nepal was making preparations to export about 200-MW electricity during wet season to Bangladesh by July end that year. But that remained just a talk.

 

A regional achievement

Speaking at the agreement signing programme, Energy Minister Deepak Khadka of Nepal said that the agreement is a regional achievement.

"Nepal's success in exporting electricity to a third country for the first time in its history has become an important corner stone for the South Asian region," he said.

According to him, the Nepal-Bangladesh energy sector cooperation agreement reached in 2018 is the result of continuous efforts and it is important and historic not only for Nepal but also for South Asia and BBIN region.

Minister Khadka expressed his belief that the agreement will further strengthen the friendly relations between Nepal's neighboring countries and said that the Government of Nepal is ready to cooperate with India and Bangladesh to achieve the goals in the energy sector.

Bangladeshi Water Resources Minister Syeda Rizwana Hasan, mentioned that the tripartite agreement is a corner stone in the direction of creating common prosperity and mutual commitment of South Asian countries. "This agreement is of great importance to safely achieve the national demand of Bangladesh and the global needs and the goal of sustainable development," she said.

Likewise, Indian envoy to Nepal, Srivastava, said that the cooperation among the three countries  will be further expanded in the future.

Ghishing, ED of NEA, said that this agreement is a result of mutual cooperation and mutual understanding of the expanding energy sector in South Asia. He said that Nepal has become the first country in South Asia to export electricity to a third country. "This electricity export agreement is also a model of reducing emissions, expanding relations between citizens of different countries," he said.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 October 2024. 

PM meets Bangladeshi Minister Hasan

 Kathmandu, Oct. 3

Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Water Resources of Bangladesh, Syeda Rizwana Hasan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday.

On the occasion of the meeting held at the Prime Minister's Residence in Baluwatar, the issues of strengthening and expanding the existing bilateral relations between Nepal and Bangladesh and increasing cooperation in energy and other sectors were discussed.

Prime Minister Oli's chief advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bhrigu Dhungana, Nepal's Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari, Bangladeshi Ambassador to Nepal, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, and others officials were present.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 October 2024. 

Nepal’s trade with Bangladesh, plan to ink power purchasing deal affected

Kathmandu, Aug. 7

The latest political turmoil in Bangladesh has affected Nepal's trade with the country that was the 16^th largest export market of Nepali goods in the last Fiscal Year 2023/24.

About two dozen of trucks and containers carrying Nepali goods to Bangladesh have been stuck at Kakandbhitta (Nepal-India border) and Banglabandh (India-Bangladesh border). Traders are uncertain about the normalcy that they expect to happen only after the new interim government starts to work in Dhaka.

The student protests against the quota system to the families of the war veterans and martyrs of the War of Liberation in 1971 in government jobs culminated in the toppling of the government led by Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina, the daughter of the leader of the liberation movement, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, fled the country on Monday.

Although the size of Nepal's trade with Bangladesh is of small size, there are fewer risks in the bilateral trade between the two neighbours.

Shiva Agrawal, entrepreneur and President of Nepal-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the problem would not be significant, although the traders would face some loss if the crisis did not prolong. "However, it depends on how the new government handles the internal crisis," he said.

Last year, Nepal exported goods worth Rs. 554.6 million to Bangladesh and imported goods worth Rs. 4.22 billion incurring a trade deficit of Rs. 3.67 billion, according to the statistics of the Department of Customs (DoC). Bangladesh was the 25^th largest import source market for Nepal in FY 2023/24.

A year before in FY 2022/23, Nepal imported goods worth Rs. 6.04 billion from Bangladesh and imported merchandise of Rs. 574 million. The trade deficit of that was Rs. 5.47 billion.

Nepal imports raw jute, lead acid, oil cake, toilet paper, juice, food supplements, yarn, chocolate, lubricating oil, sun caps and other textiles from Bangladesh. Likewise, major exports to Bangladesh are lentils, vaccines, wigs, ginger, juice, contact lenses and handicraft items.

Although traders are apprehensive about the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, they have not sought any help from the government.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), Chandi Prasad Ghimire, said that this was not a crisis like the Russia-Ukraine War, the crisis in Bangladesh was temporary.

"However, the ministry is concerned about the trade obstruction and will put its efforts in facilitating the exporters," he said.

Since the Minister of Industry, Damodar Bhandari and the Division Chief of bilateral and multilateral chief are in New Delhi, India, to attend the BIMSTEC Summit, the MoICS said that it would take further steps after their return.  

Meanwhile, Nepal's energy dialogue with Bangladesh has also been affected. The two countries were making preparations to sign the electricity trading agreement this week, and Bangladesh's minister for state for energy was scheduled to come to Nepal, according to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal. Bangladesh is buying about 40 MW of electricity from Nepal in the first phase.

Likewise, the crisis in Bangladesh has seriously impacted Nepali students pursuing higher studies in various universities in Bangladesh. Of more than 3,000 Nepali students studying in Bangladesh, about 800 have returned to Nepal while others have requested the government here to facilitate their return.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has said that Nepali students in Bangladesh are safe and the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka is putting its efforts into addressing their grievances.

 

MoFA calls for calm and restraint

Likewise, the MoFA said in a statement on Wednesday that the Government of Nepal is closely following the recent political developments in Bangladesh.

Expressing deep concern about the loss of lives and properties during the protests over the last few weeks in Bangladesh, the government conveyed its sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives and wished for speedy and full recovery of the injured.

"We call for calm and restraint by all and stress the importance of an orderly return to the democratic process. We are confident that the strong and resilient people of Bangladesh will be able to ensure a smooth transition towards peace and stability," the statement reads. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 August 2024.        

Indian Ocean gateway to international markets for Nepal: Minister Saud

Kathmandu, May 13

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Praskash Saud addressed this afternoon the Plenary Session of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) being held in Dhaka.

On the occasion, he underscored the strategic, economic and ecological significance of the Indian Ocean and highlighted its importance as a gateway to international markets for landlocked countries like Nepal, the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka informed in a press statement on Saturday.

While underlining the natural link between mountains and the oceans, FM Saud stressed the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change on mountains, oceans, as well as the lives and livelihoods in the coastal and hinterland states.

According to the embassy, he called upon the countries to work together to ensure real, robust, and responsible actions for a healthy Indian Ocean and for a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient future of the region.

Earlier in the morning on Saturday, Foreign Minister Saud visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka along with other members of delegation to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

On the sidelines of the conference, he held separate meetings with Takagi Kei, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Dr. Mohamed Maliki bin Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Education of Singapore, and Afreen Akhter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States. “Matters of mutual interest were discussed during the meetings,” said the embassy.

The 6^th IOC is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, India Foundation, and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies of Singapore under the theme 'Peace, Prosperity and Partnership for a Resilient Future'.

FM Saud will return to Kathmandu on Sunday, May 14.

 Published in Friday Supplement of The Rising Nepal daily on 14 May 2023.

Dhaka-Lumbini flights discussed

Kathmandu, Jan. 31

Foreign Minister Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal has discussed starting direct flight form Dhaka airport to the Gautam Buddha International Airport.

In a meeting with Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Tuesday afternoon, she requested to start flights between Dhaka and Bhairahawa.

The two also discussed enhancing cooperation and partnership between Nepal and Bangladesh in tourism, trade and agriculture sector.

Ambassador Choudhary requested FM Dr. Paudyal to hold a meeting with her Bangladeshi counterpart, Dr. AK Abdul Momen at the ceremony to be organised on the occasion of Sri Lanka's 75^th Independence Day in Colombo on February 4.

The ministers are scheduled to attend the ceremony. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 1 February 2023. 

NCC, LCCI agree for bilateral trade, tourism promotion

 Kathmandu, Dec. 22

Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) and Lalmonirhat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) of Bangladesh have discussed business facilitation between the two countries.

They have also reached an agreement to increase businesses through the development of road and air infrastructure. As this year marks the 50th year of the establishment of the bilateral ties between the two countries, the business representatives of the two countries have agreed to cooperate in the fields of energy, tourism and industry.

President of NCC, Rajendra Malla, said that Nepal, India and Bangladesh have signed a tripartite agreement for energy trade. "To exploit the opportunities in this sector, we call for investment from Bangladesh and effective implementation of the agreement," he said.

Malla emphasised that along with the road network in Bangladesh, the relationship should be expanded at the citizens level by expanding air connectivity. In the context of Nepal's high trade deficit with Bangladesh, he suggested finding products with export potential.

As Nepal has the potential to reduce its trade deficit through energy trade, Malla requested for its facilitation and investment in electricity projects here.

In the context of the high demand for energy in Bangladesh, there was a bilateral discussion on various options for exporting from Nepal. Although there is an energy trade agreement between Nepal, Bangladesh and India, its practical implementation has not yet been completed.

Malla also said that Nepal is open for investment even in small and medium industries in Nepal and that they will take initiatives with the government for the protection of such investment.

Morol Humayun Kabir, Senior Vice-President of LCCI, stressed the need for developing road infrastructure to facilitate trade between the two countries. He said that both countries should take initiative to increase air and road connections as well.

Kabir said that they were ready for investment in the energy and tourism sectors in Nepal, but the chamber should take initiatives for policy facilitation.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 December 2022.

Nepali ambassador to Bangladesh presents credentials

Kathmandu, Aug. 31

Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari presented his ‘Letters of Credence’ to Md. Abdul Hamid, President of Bangladesh, at a special ceremony held at the President’s Office in Dhaka the other day.

Following the ceremony, Ambassador Bhandari paid a courtesy call on the President, Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka said in a statement. 

The ambassador stated that the bilateral cooperation between the two countries is growing steadily in the fields of trade, energy, education, tourism, and people-to people contacts, among others. He further expressed his commitment to work towards enhancing Nepal-Bangladesh ties during his tenure.

President Hamid recalled that Nepal was one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh after its liberation war in 1971 and expressed satisfaction over the state of excellent relations existing between the two countries since then.

Sharing the fond memories of his visit to Nepal in November 2019 and that of the visit of President of Nepal to Bangladesh in March 2021, he said that there were tremendous potentials for a stronger economic partnership for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Acting Foreign Secretary and Senior Officials from the President’s Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh were present on the occasion.

Ambassador Bhandari was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission Kumar Rai, Military Attaché Col. Roshan Shumsher Rana, and Second Secretary Ranjan Yadav during the ceremony.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 1 September 2022. 

Bangladesh to purchase 50 MW power from Nepal

 Kathmandu, Aug. 25

The fourth meeting of Energy Secretary Level Joint Steering Committee of Nepal and Bangladesh has been completed with notable achievements. The meeting of the committee was held in the Capital on Thursday between the Energy Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI), Sushil Chandra Tiwari, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MoEMR) of Bangladesh, Mohammad Habibur Rahman.

The financial modality of 683 MW reservoir project, Sunkoshi III Hydroelectricity, which Bangladesh wants to invest in, was also on the agenda. But it has been agreed to finalize the modality in the next meeting after the review of the Detailed Feasibility Study (DFS).

Kulman Ghising, Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), who participated in the meeting, informed that Nepal handed recently completed DFS report to Bangladesh.

"There were extensive discussions about Sunkoshi III in both the joint working committee and the steering committee," he said. "After discussing the report of the project proposed to be made with the investment of the Bangladesh government, the latter will bring a proposal in the next meeting. It has been agreed that the meeting will make the final decision about it."

Spokesperson of the MoEWRI, Madhu Kumar Bhetwal informed that there is an agreement between the NEA and Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) to set up a joint company for the construction of the project. Such a company will be established within six months. According to Ghising, there is a possibility that the upcoming fifth round of meetings will be held within the next six months.

According to the feasibility study conducted by the Electricity Development Department, this project will be built at Lubhughat, which is at the border of Khanda Devi of Ramechhap and Temal village of Kavre. A 180 metres high dam will be built there. The reservoir of the project extends 45 km upstream.

The reservoir will be extended above Balefi Bazar towards the Sunkoshi River and upto Sipaghat towards the Indrawati River. Out of 2.356 billion units of electricity produced annually, 622.23 million units will be produced during winter. On Tuesday, the Bangladeshi delegation also made an on-site inspection of the project area.

Agreement on Nepal-Bangladesh electricity trade could also not be signed during the meeting considering the role of India. The best option for now is to use the Indian transmission line to take Nepal's electricity to Bangladesh. Apart from this, the construction of another transmission line is also being discussed as an alternative. But both options require positive cooperation from India so the meeting has decided to move forward with India.

Ghising informed that the meeting has decided that both the countries will continue dialogue with India through their respective mechanisms and to expand cooperation by holding tripartite meetings to realise the electricity trade between Nepal and Bangladesh.

Likewise, Bangladesh has agreed to purchase about 50 MW of electricity from Nepal immediately. For this purpose, the Indian transmission system will be used to wheel the energy to Bangladesh. The transmission line can flow about 50 MW energy now.

For this, a meeting among the NEA, Indian electricity trading company – National Vidyut Vyapar Nigam – and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will be hold to finalise the modality of transmission.

Similarly, the BPDB has promised to buy and sell electricity within a month for the purchase of 500 MW of electricity of the GMR Upper Karnali Hydroelectricity Project.

Last month, Investment Board Nepal has given a deadline to GMR to complete the PPA within six months and complete the financial management within a year and a half. GMR had been saying that the electricity purchase and sales agreement with the Power Development Board has been reached at the final stage. GMR Upper Karnali Hydropower Company is advancing the process to sell electricity at 7.7 cents per unit.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 August 2022. Primary story by Gopal Chandra Subedi. 

Lawmakers stressed on hydropower, trade cooperation with Bangladesh

Kathmandu, Aug. 5

An eight-member parliamentary delegation led by Pabitra Niroula Kharel, Chairperson of the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Nepal, called on Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s office in Dhaka on Friday.

Discussions in the meeting were focused on ways to build on bilateral cooperation and further consolidate economic ties, the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka said in a statement on Friday.  

Lawmaker Kharel stressed the need to enhance parliamentary exchanges between the two countries. She further stated that both countries could benefit if the cooperation on hydropower, trade, and tourism sectors were expedited through the established mechanisms.

Prime Minister recalled the contribution and support of Nepali leaders during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 and expressed satisfaction over the state of excellent bilateral relations.

She highlighted the potentials existing in the fields of trade, energy, tourism, education, and people-to-people contacts, and underlined the importance of cooperation under the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) framework.   

Earlier on Thursday, the parliamentary delegation had an interaction with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.

The interaction was focused on strengthening parliamentary relations including through the establishment of friendship groups in the parliaments of both countries.

Prior to this, a luncheon was hosted by State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Shahriar Alam in the honour of the visiting delegation.

The delegation also visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Dhaka, to pay respect to the ‘Father of the Nation’ of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.

The delegation include lawmakers Chandtara Kumari, Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatt, Dev Prasad Timalsena, Lila Devi Sitaula, Narad Muni Rana, Sarala Kumari Yadav, and Under Secretary at Federal Parliament Secretariat Gopal Sigdel.

The delegation is on a visit to Bangladesh from 3-6 August 2022. They will depart Dhaka for Kathmandu on Saturday. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 August 2022. 

Nepal-Bangladesh diplomatic relations at 50

Kathmandu, Apr. 8

Presidents and prime ministers of Nepal and Bangladesh have exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On this special occasion, President Bidya Devi Bhandari extended congratulations to her Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Abdul Hamid, as well as the government and people of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement on Friday.

She recalled that Nepal was one of the earliest countries to recognise Bangladesh’s independence five decades ago and expressed satisfaction at the excellent relations between the two countries reinforced by growing cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, energy, culture and education.

President Bhandari recalled her State Visit to Bangladesh in March 2021 on the occasion of the celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, and expressed the confidence that the bilateral cooperation would continue to grow and deepen in the days to come.

Separately, Prime Minister Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba sent a congratulatory message to his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina. PM Deuba stated that the two countries have been advancing collaboration and partnership in trade, tourism, energy and connectivity among others offering new and vast potentials for mutual benefit, read the statement.  

The Prime Minister further mentioned that Nepal and Bangladesh have been working in close cooperation, both at regional platforms such as SAARC, BIMSTEC and BBIN and at multilateral forums such as UN and WTO on matters of mutual interests including climate change, sustainable development, multilateral trade and public health.

Similarly, Bangladeshi President Hamid, in his message to President Bhandari, expressed satisfaction over growing trade and economic relations between the two countries.

While appreciating the fact that both countries have been maintaining very close relations, the President of Bangladesh also recalled his official goodwill visit to Nepal in 2019.

"President Hamid also expressed confidence that Nepal and Bangladesh would continue to work together for the attainment of shared vision of prosperity and development for both countries and peoples," read the statement.

On the same occasion, Bangladesh PM Hasina, in her message to PM Deuba, highlighted the shared socio-cultural linkages and multitude of commonalities that have developed over the years through mutual support and cooperation between the two countries.

Nepal and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations on April 8, 1972.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 April 2022.  

Nepal, Bangladesh to sign various agreements, MoUs during Prez visit

Kathmandu, Mar. 21

President Bidya Devi Bhandari is leaving for Dhaka, Bangladesh for a two-day state visit from 22 to 23 March.

She is paying the visit at the invitation of her Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Abdul Hamid. This is the first top-level visit from Nepal to Bangladesh in one-and-a-half decades.

President Bhandari will leave Kathmandu for Dhaka in a special chartered plane of Nepal Airlines Corporation. President Hamid will welcome her in Dhaka. She will be accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, secretaries and senior officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Office of the President and other relevant ministries, said the MoFA.

During her visit, the two countries will sign agreement on the amendment of transit mechanism. Bangladesh is likely to allow Nepal to use the Rohanpur-Singabad Railway route for transit.

Likewise, Memorandum of Understanding on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, bilateral tourism promotion and cultural exchanges will be signed.

Similarly, the two countries will discuss energy cooperation as well. Nepal is making preparations to export about 200 megawatt of electricity within four months, by the end of the current Fiscal Year 2020/21.

Bangladesh has said that it could import as much as 9000 MW electricity from Nepal while the Upper Karnali Hydroelectricity Project had also signed an agreement to export electricity to Bangladesh.

President Bhandari will attend the celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, in Dhaka, the capital city. She is scheduled to deliver a statement on 'Nepal-Bangladesh Relations and Bangabandhu's Birth Centenary'.

The President is also scheduled to hold talks with her Bangladeshi counterpart Hamid at Bangabhaban and attend a State Banquet hosted by the latter in her honour.

During her stay in Dhaka, she will visit National Martyrs Memorial at Savar and Bangabandhu Museum at Dhanmondi. She will also visit the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka and meet Nepali nationals in Bangladesh.

According to the MoFA, a cultural troupe will also be a part of the Nepali delegation which will show a cultural performance during the birth centenary celebration programme in Dhaka.

Earlier in November 2019, Bangladeshi President Hamid had paid a four-day goodwill visit to Nepal.

Then, he had pledged support and partnership to realise Nepal's national aspiration of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali' and stressed on increasing the frequency of high-level exchanges between the two countries. Bangladesh also wants to develop partnership at global and regional platforms like the United Nations, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and BIMSTEC.

Last year in February, during the visit of Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Nepal and Bangladesh had made agreements in bilateral trade and investment, infrastructure, waterways, agriculture and education.

The President is scheduled to return on 23 March, Tuesday.

In the first eight months of the current Fiscal Year 2020/21, Nepal imported goods worth Rs. 37.1 billion from Bangladesh and exported goods worth Rs. 407 million incurring a trade deficit of Rs. 33 billion. The bilateral trade with Bangladesh is witnessing deficit for the past many years.

Bangladesh was the 26^th largest trade partner of Nepal in the fiscal year 2018/19 with Rs. 4.24 billion import and Rs. 1.29 billion export.

 Trade between the two countries was promoted following the opening of the Kankadbhitta-Phulbari-Banglabandh transit route in 1997, and Nepal had trade surplus with Bangladesh till 2013/14. 

 Nepal and Bangladesh had singed a Trade and Payments Agreements and a Transit Agreement in 1976. The latter has allowed Nepal to use Khulna-Chalna and Chitagong ports and Biral, Banglabandh, Chilhati and Benapole points at the Bangladesh-India border. 

 Nepal exports green vegetables, animal feed and herbals to Bangladesh and imports garments and food items from Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the major destinations for medical education for Nepali students while Nepal is a destination for Bangladeshi tourists.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 March 2021. 

Bangladesh positive to supply urea to Nepal

Kathmandu, Sept 1

Bangladesh has replied positively to Nepal’s request for the urgent supply of urea, a chemical fertiliser.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina to help Nepal with the fertiliser supply as the country was reeling under the acute shortage of it at a time when the demand is at the peak.

The two prime ministers had a telephone conversation on Tuesday afternoon.

According to a tweet of PM Oli, the Bangladeshi PM had positively taken his request for the urgent supply of urea for this crop season.

He has sought Bangladesh’s support of 50,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser to Nepal on refundable basis.

While sharing Nepal’s efforts for scaling up agricultural production, both for domestic consumption and export, he stated that Nepal can benefit from Bangladesh’s success story in the field of agriculture.

Shortage of chemical fertilisers has become a recurring problem in every crop season for the past many years. The country needs about 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes of fertilisers, but the government has been supplying as much as 400,000 tonnes – half of the total demand, which has seriously affected the yield of major crops across the country.

Owing to the scarcity of the much needed fertilisers, farmers in the areas bordering with India have begun to smuggle it from across the border.

The smuggling not only demands higher price of the urea but also increases the fear of coronavirus contagion during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, about 2,500 tonnes of urea that was stuck at the Kolkata Port in India for the last couple of months has arrived in Birgung last week and is dispatched to different 19 districts.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, about 71,500 tonnes of fertiliser being imported to distribute during this paddy season has been stuck at Kolkata and Kandla Port in Gujrat, India.

Approximately 21,500 tonnes of urea inbound to Nepal, imported by the Salt Trading Company Limited, was stuck in Kandla for the past 3 to 4 months due to lockdown in Nepal and India. Likewise, 50,000 tonnes urea imported by the Agriculture Inputs Company Limited is also stuck in Kolkata.

AICL said that it would take about three weeks to bring the 55,000 tonnes from Kolkata Port.

The MoAD was planning to distribute about 450,000 tonnes of fertilisers to the farmers at a subsidised rate of Rs. 700 for a 50 kg sack, but only 121 tonnes was in the transit. It means there would be a large gap between the demand and supply of the fertilisers.

The MoAD had issued an appeal on 17 August expressing its helplessness regarding the fertilisers import. “The ministry had a timely estimation of the fertiliser shortage and made a provision of additional budget for 120,000 tonnes of chemical fertilisers (70,000 tonnes urea and 50,000 tonnes of DAP),” it had said in the appeal.

Although the tender for fertilisers supply were announced by the AICL and STC in January, the coronavirus pandemic disturbed the transport and supply.

The MoAD had said that it was saddened at the plight of the farmers in the absence of fertilisers supply.

 

Talks on bilateral interest

During the conversation, the two Prime Ministers exchanged views on various matters of common interests, including cooperation in power generation, grid connectivity and power supply from Nepal to Bangladesh.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promotion of barrier-free and balanced trade between the two countries, improved transit facility for Nepal through Bangladesh, enhanced connectivity and promotion of tourism were also the agenda of discussion.

“We underlined the need for enhancing cooperation between our two countries on trade, energy and transit among others,” tweeted the PM.

PM Oli thanked his Bangladeshi counterpart for providing a new railway route through Rohanpur (Bangladesh) to Singabad (India) railway line.

He extended congratulations to PM Hasina, the government and people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The two Prime Ministers also exchanged experiences on the efforts made by their respective governments to fight against COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to strengthen cooperation to tackle this menace, said MoFA in a statement.

PM Oli thanked the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the supply of 5,000 vials of Remdesivir injection and other essential medicines and medical logistics to Nepal.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 2 August 2020.