KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari urged the Pakistani government to bolster trade activities in Nepal.

During a courtesy meeting with Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal, Abrar H Hashmi, in his office at Singha Durbar today, Minister Bhandari appealed for the same, articulating Nepal’s willingness to promote business partnership with all countries.

Apprising the Pakistani Envoy about the formation of Nepal-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group by the federal parliament of Nepal, Bhandari acknowledged the importance of parliamentary exchanges in further strengthening bilateral ties.

He also shared information on establishment of a joint economic commission at Finance Minister-level and formation of bilateral political consultation mechanism at Foreign Secretary level between the two countries, the Ministr called for continuous dialogue and contact between the two countries through this mechanism to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

He also informed on details about upcoming 7th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission and 5th Bilateral Political Consultation Mechanism, both of which will take place in Nepal.

“It’s high time for us to forge new trade agreements and review old ones to reflect the current economic reality and to facilitate trade,” the Minister urged, encouraging Pakistani investment in various sectors such as textile, tourism, technology, hydropower, agriculture, and infrastructure, among others in Nepal.

Regarding the regulatory challenges facing Nepali goods in Pakistan, the Minister requested Pakistani government to consider simplifying import process in Pakistan and reduction in custom charge in major Nepali exports. He emphasized holding regular meetings of the joint working groups related to agriculture and tourism.

In response, Pakistani Ambassador Hashmi said the Pakistani government too was interested in increasing trade activities in Nepal.

According to him, Nepali tea and coffee were being exported to Pakistan in a notable quantity at present and opined that the export would see a substantial increase if branding and enhancing quality of these products were stressed.
He viewed that the issue of double taxation system should be addressed to foster trade activities between the two countries.

According to Hashmi, total of 32 students had received scholarship this year to study in different disciplines in Pakistan. He also vowed to take initiatives with the Pakistani government to increase scholarship fund.

The Envoy pointed out the need to develop a tourism trail connecting the highest mountain in the country-Sagarmatha- in Nepal with Pakistan’s Mount K2, the second highest mountain in the world, to promote tourism between the two countries.

On the occasion, the Pakistani Envoy reaffirmed his commitment to make efforts for initiating direct flight between Kathmandu and Lahore.