FM urges foreign investors to invest in Nepal without any fear; government ready to provide the kind of business environment foreign investors wanted

Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada has urged the foreign investors to invest in enterprises in Nepal without any reservations as political stability has been established in the country.

Speaking in a discussions programme between the industrialists and businessmen of Nepal and France here today, he said the investment made by the foreign investors would be secured and production enhanced with the government adopting an investment-friendly policy for orienting the country towards industrialisation.

The discussions programme was organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). "The government is ready to provide the kind of business environment the French investors wanted," Finance Minister Khatiwada said and stressed on the need of expanding the trade network to the benefit of both countries. He believed that French airlines' operating direct flights to Nepal would contribute to tourism promotion and advocated for a strong economic relationships between the two countries a la the diplomatic ties.

On the occasion, Investment Board Nepal's chief executive officer Maha Prasad Adhikari had given a presentation on the possible projects for investment in Nepal along with the conclusions of the Nepal Investment Summit 2019 held recently in the country.

FNCCI president Bhawani Rana, while making it clear that improvements have been made in the policy and laws related to investment, said efforts are being made to attract foreign direct investment in coordination of the government and the private sector. France's Ambassador to Nepal, François-Xavier Leger pledged every possible cooperation from his side to make the programme fruitful through business collaboration between the two countries.

Chief of the Regional Economic Department at the Embassy of France in New Delhi and Minister Counsellor, Joe Mark Fane said the French investors were willing to invest in Nepal and the investment opportunities have to be explored. Representatives of 15 noted French companies are participating in the programme.

On the occasion, the Nepali industrialists and businessmen had interacted with the French industrialists and business persons the possible areas for collaboration and investment in Nepal.

The representatives of the French companies had presented the possibilities of business and investment partnership in hydropower and renewable energy, information and communications technology, sustainable and smart urbanization, agriculture and food processing, urban transportation, waste management, among other sectors.