Nepal-Zambia to explore opportunities

KATHMANDU: Experts have urged to explore bilateral trade and investment between Nepal and Zambia.
In a Round Table meeting oragnized by Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) and the High Commission Republic of Zambia, New Delhi ‘Nepal- Zambia Relation: The Future Ahead’, in Kathmandu on Friday, Sunil KC, CEO of AIDIA said that the major objective of the Round Table meeting was to discuss on finding opportunities for exploring bilateral trade and investment in Zambia.
Judith K.K Kang’goma Kapijimpanga, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to Nepal, on rthe occasion, delivered the keynote speech, by a general presentation with the geographical, economic and political aspects of the country. She shared that Zambia and Nepal present similarities as they both are high-altitude and landlocked (or ‘land-linked’) countries.
Official relations between the two States are quite ancient as they were both members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Zambia is a mineral-wealthy country and ranked eighth in world as copper producer and has 6 percent of the world reserve. Zambia has 20 percent of cobalt and emerald world reserve and its Emeralds are considered to be world’s best.
She further stressed that both Zambia and Nepal have Agriculture and tourism as major source of national economy. “So, these sectors provide an enormous opportunity to explore and invest,” she said, urging both the countries to exploit this avenue for betterment of bilateral trade relation. “There are other opportunities of investment in both countries such as Transportation, telecommunications and Education.”
She also highlighted that Zambian economic characteristics is in favour of Foreign Investment as it has political stability and growing economy. Zambia which is also a gateway to Southern, Central and Eastern Africa, can become important market. Zambia economy is integrated and it’s a member of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
While delivering the special remarks in the programme, Ganesh Shah, former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, stressed that both countries should explore the possible avenues for betterment of enhancing bilateral trade relation between two countries.
Likewise, Bishnu Hari Nepal, Former ambassador of Nepal to Japan too stress on exploring possibilities of investment in different sector such as Mining, Education and Agriculture.