Nepal-India trade and transit relations discussed

A delegation of Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) discussed promotion of Nepal-India trade and transit relations with newly appointed finance secretary Krishna Hari Puskar.
The team led by President of NICCI Mrs. Shreejana Rana comprising two vice presidents Mr. Sunil KC and Mr. Harkirat Singh Bedi, Secretary General Mr. Ramesh Sharma, Treasurer Mr. Kunal Kayal, Director Genera Mr. Keshab Man Singh and Deputy Director Mr. Marshal Rathour met newly appointed finance secretary Mr Pushkar at his office at Singhadurbar on Friday and discussed on promotion of bilateral trade and transit relations.
The team further briefed him about NICCI and the role played by NICCI to bring FDI form India in 90’s era and still working to revive those era in coming days as well.
“India is the single trading partner of Nepal having 2/3 international trade of Nepal, 100 percent transit affairs related to bilateral trade and 90 percent transit affairs of third country are via India, 40 percent FDI is from India, 20 percent tourists are from India and India is the next door of Nepal trade as most of the industrial and consumers imports are also coming from India, and most of our Nepal’ exports are also going to India,” reminded Mrs Rana.
Above all now India is also becoming development and trading partner of mist awaited electricity and NICCI is playing facilitator role on these activities from very beginning of its establishment for the last 29 years as so far, she said, adding that NICCI is the only bilateral body playing role for the promotion of bilateral economic activities from private sector in Nepal.
The team also informed secretary that, to promote bilateral tourism between Nepal and India, NICCI is also looking after the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting for promotion of bilateral tourism.
Since NICCI is focusing and planning on bringing more FDI from India A team informed the Secretary that, NICCI is preparing for its Mega flagship event Nepal-India Partnership Summit, in which, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Nepal Investment Board, both the embassies have agreed to be part of the Summit and since Ministry of Finance is main government agency working on the economic development of the country, NICCI also wish Ministry to join hand and extend support to this event and other Programs planned and organized in days ahead.
In the Courtesy Call, NICCI team also requested that since NICCI is the most vibrant Bi-National Chamber of Commerce working on promotion of Nepal-India Economic Relation and Cooperation, and since all major Indian joint venture companies are associated with NICCI as active members including other Nepali Companies doing business with India from many sectors, NICCI looks forward active participation and support of Finance Ministry in the programs organized by NICCI and similarly requested secretary to include NICCI as a major stakeholder for bringing FDIs from India and provide space in every programs and projects organized or initiated by Ministry of Finance in coming days.
Newly appointed finance secretary Mr. Krishna Hari Pushkar has acknowledged the greetings and wishes expressed by NICCI delegation team. Secretary Puskar informed the delegation that he knows about NICCI when he was in Nepal Embassy in Delhi and appreciated the work done by NICCI in past as well as at present and assured that Ministry of Finance will definitely place NICCI as a major stake holder of the economic development as well as the major concern body for bringing FDIs from India and surely be invited in every program which are on the pipeline and support NICCI’s future program in possible extent.