KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal held a formal meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song on Tuesday.
In the meeting, FNCCI President Dhakal said that Nepal can become the main destination for Chinese investors and tourists. FNCCI President Dhakal drew Ambassador Chen's attention to the potential of foreign investment in Nepal's productive sectors such as energy and tourism infrastructure.
He also stressed the need for direct flights from the main cities of China to all the international airports of Nepal for the promotion of tourism. FNCCI President Dhakal suggested that Nepal should be included in the list of main destinations for Chinese tourists.
He informed the Chinese ambassador that FNCCI was working on the promotion of small entrepreneurship and also appealed to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to support those entrepreneurs for observation tour of China.
The FNCCI President drew the attention of the Chinese ambassador to the possibility of the operation of Chinese banks in Nepal. Dhakal suggested that the Chinese government also take initiatives for the effective operation of Tatopani transit point, which has been closed for a long time.
During the meeting, Ambassador Chen said that Chinese investors were eager to invest in Nepal and suggested that Nepal should create the environment necessary for investment. He said that Chinese investors were attracted to the manufacturing industry, agriculture, energy and other sectors.
Ambassador Chen said that an environment should be created to bring in foreign investment in Nepal and arrangements should be made to get returns easily. He mentioned that even in China, the policymakers were concerned about foreign investment in the beginning, however, they improved it later. He asserted that policy stability and ease of dealing will be necessary for investors. Ambassador Chen presented the example of China becoming the main producer in the world due to foreign investment.
Moreover, Ambassador Chen informed the office bearers of the privates sector organisation about the opening of Tatopani transit point and the Chinese Bank interested to enter Nepal.
FNCCI Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha was also present at the meeting.
