The fourth meeting of the Nepal-China non-governmental cooperation forum is to be held from November 27 to 30 in Wuxi city in East China, according to the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).

FNCCI president Pradeep Shrestha, who is also the leader of the Nepalese delegation, told Xinhua Sunday that the meeting will focus on the expansion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

"We will discuss with Chinese business community the cooperation in areas such as hydropower, agro-based industry, textile and garments, pharmaceuticals, construction, tourism and trade, among others," Shrestha said.

Shrestha said the meeting will also explore the possibility of setting up a mechanism to narrow the trade deficit between the two countries.

Nepal recorded a deficit of US$128 million in its trade with China in 1998/1999 fiscal year.

The 36-member Nepali delegation left here Sunday night for China to take part in the meeting.

Nepal-China non-governmental cooperation forum was set up in 1996. Its third meeting was held in Nepal last year.

(Xinhua 11/26/2000)