Stress on energy‚ investment

KATHMANDU:

Private sector has stressed on cooperation in energy, trade and investment security during the Prime Minister Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai’s visit to the southern neighbour.

“It is necessary to provide safety to the Indian investors to attract Indian investment,” said Suresh Kumar Basnet, president of Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC) at the Reporters’ Club here today. “Bhattarai must sign investment safety agreement with India,” he said, adding that the government should also give priority to energy export agreement as energy is potential export commodity. “However, the energy export rate should be equal to current import rate from India.”

NCC has also asked to hold discussion on removing ban on export of four goods including vegetable ghee and copper. Private sector will also raise issue of double taxation system, access to Bishakhapatnam port and free transaction of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 Indian currency denomination notes in the Nepali market, he added.

Lawmaker and industrialist Binod Chaudhary urged the government to emphasis on economic agenda as the country political transaction. “PM’s India visit should give emphasis on export opportunities to reduce trade deficit,” he said, urging the government to build confidence of Indian investors.

Another lawmaker and industrialist Diwakar Golchha also stressed on solving problems in quarantine and improving access to Indian ports. “The Premier’s visit must build trustful atmosphere between the two countries,” he said.

President of Federation of Nepal Small and Cottage Industries Lata Pyakurel stressed on attracting Indian investment in herbs processing industries.

Similarly, president of National Industries and Trade Association Shyam Pathak hoped that PM Bhattarai’s visit will be successful in attracting Indian investment and removing trade barriers.

Nepal-China Trade Association

Nepali traders engaged in Nepal-China trade has established Nepal-China Trade Friendship Association to develop harmonious economic relation between the two countries. The association established under the leadership of Durga Bahadur Shrestha, also has Keshav Man Shrestha as vice-president, Sudeep Kumar Regmi as general secretary, Mahendra Parajuli as treasure and Subhash Kumar Agrawal, Pradeep Kumar Agrawal and Badri Adhikari as members.

Source: THT