The ninth meeting of the Nepal-China non-governmental
cooperation forum is inaugurated Tuesday in Kathmandu.
The forum, established in 1996, is co-organized by the
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)
and All China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC). This
ninth meeting's theme is "Prosperity through investment and
tourism."
The meeting is inaugurated by Finance Minister of Nepal Ram
Sharan Mahat by lighting panas (a kind of lamp).
For the first three months, China's foreign trade with Nepal
witnesses great leap with total amount reaching US$71 million
increased by 46.99 percent, with exporting US$66 million increased
by 41.88 percent and importing US$5 million increased by 176.57
percent, during his speech, Chinese delegation leader, ACFIC vice
chairman Zhang Longzhi introduced.
Zhang says, "Chinese government encourages Chinese entrepreneurs
and businessmen to go abroad for business and investment at win-win
situation."
Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of FNCCI and co-chairman of
Nepal-China non-governmental cooperation forum offering welcome
remarks at the inauguration ceremony. He says, "The FNCCI, from the
Nepalese side and ACFIC from the Chinese side has meant that both
the governments believe that the future of Nepal-China ties lies in
the development of strong bond between the trade and industrial
communities, intellectuals and academia."
President Dhakal hopes to enhance the trade balance of the two
countries' trade, "We need support and co-operation from Chinese
friends in providing some preference to Nepali products in the
Chinese market our exports. This will not only increase Nepal's
export to China even the Chinese investors will also be encouraged
to further import raw materials from Nepal. The Chinese
entrepreneurs also can help us in marketing our products and
initiate products in line with what the Chinese consumers
like."
He also promises, "I from the FNCCI side would like to repeat
our assurances of extending full support and co-operation if and
when you decide to invest in Nepal."
The meeting, joined by businessmen, officials and scholars from
both sides, will last for two days to Wednesday.
(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2007)
