FNCCI to host 2 key economic conferences
KATHMANDU, FEB 21 -
Two high-profile economic events are scheduled to be held in Kathmandu within a month of each other. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FNCCI ) announced on Thursday that it would be hosting the Nepal Economic Summit in February and the Business Conclave in March to discuss ways to realize the country’s economic potentials.
The apex body of the country’s private sector said that the two events were expected to draw a large number of foreign investors and varied influential business personalities. Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, President-Designate of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Ajay Shriram, Vice-President of Standard Chartered Bank Sir Thomas Harris and the governor of Yunan province of China are slated to attend.
The Nepal Economic Summit will be held from Feb 24-26 in Kathmandu. FNCCI President Suraj Vaidya said that the economic summit would provide a forum for the government and the private sector to discuss key economic agendas.
The FNCCI said that the gathering would also play a constructive role in helping the government in its endeavour to get Nepal out of the list of the least developed countries (LDCs) by 2022.
“We are according priority to three major sectors—tourism, agriculture and clean energy at the economic summit. The country needs to reform its policies and create an investment-friendly climate in these sectors to achieve economic prosperity,” said Vaidya. He added that international speakers, economists, representatives of the private sector and successful businessmen, among others, had been invited to the event.
According to him, the event aims to look at potential sectors from a different perspective. “We are looking forward to discussing expanding tourism to the country’s Western, Far Western and Eastern regions. We want to examine the prospects of religious-cultural tourism, educational tourism and medical tourism, among others.”
Prime Minister Sushil Koirala is scheduled to inaugurate the Nepal Economic Summit. Participants from the US, the UK, India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia, the Philippines, Germany, Thailand and other countries will be attending the conference.
CII President-Designate Shriram will speak on the opening day while Usaid Administrator Shah will present the concluding remarks. Vice-president of Standard Chartered Bank Sir Thomas is also slated to address the event.
Meanwhile, the Business Conclave will run from March 23-25 in Kathmandu where former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir is slated to be the keynote speaker. The former prime minister is credited with transforming a country known for mining and farming into an industrialized country. Many Nepali migrant workers are employed in this Southeast Asian country.
“It will be inspiring to listen to the one who has played a crucial role in taking Malaysia to prosperity,” said Vaidya, adding that the governor of Yunan province of China too would be present during the event.
The three-day Business Conclave will bring together 250-300 foreign investors who will discuss the investment potential of 27 projects in the three major areas of focus. Participants will deliberate on this issue at the National Economic Summit too.
“The estimated cost of implementing the 27 projects is around Rs 300 billion,” said Vaidya. “And we intend to sign at least five joint ventures with foreign partners during the event.”
Source: The Kathmandu Post
