Press Release
Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, delivered a keynote address at the inaugural session of the symposium on ‘enhancing bilateral economic cooperation with countries having diplomatic relations with Nepal’ organized today in New Delhi for Delhi-based ambassadors and diplomatic missions concurrently accredited to Nepal. The Symposium that runs today and tomorrow is a joint undertaking of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal, the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, the Institute for Strategic and Socio-economic Research and the Pavilion Group Nepal.
In his address, Hon Foreign Minister highlighted that there is a consensus among the political parties in Nepal on the need and importance of foreign investment to achieve economic growth and realize the country’s vision of development. Nepal is an open and liberal economy, he said, and the investment in Nepal is fully protected.
Hon Dr. Mahat elaborated on the prospects and opportunities of investment in the areas of comparative advantage in Nepal including hydropower, tourism, agro-industry, infrastructure and manufacturing. He also spoke about various sector-specific incentives provided to foreign investment in Nepal.
The Foreign Minister said that growing improvement of cross-border infrastructure and connectivity between Nepal and India provides further opportunities for expansion of trade and investment.
The Minister of State of External Affairs of India, H.E. Gen VK Singh, also addressed the symposium highlighting deep-rooted Nepal-India relations and substantial engagements between the two countries in trade, investment, tourism and other components of economy. He assured of India’s continued support to Nepal’s development efforts.
H.E. Mr Deep Kumar Upadhyay, Ambassador of Nepal to India, made the welcome remarks in the programme. Prof. Bishwambher Pyakuryal, Chairman of ISSR, chaired the session.
Honourary Consul of Nepal to Scotland Ms. Sunita Poddar handed over a cheque amount of £45,000, collected following the devastating earthquakes in Nepal, to Hon Foreign Minister during the programme to be deposited in the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.
Embassy of Nepal,
New Delhi,
May 5, 2017