FNCCI urges govt to work with honorary consuls to sharpen economic diplomacy

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President and dean of the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has urged the government to work more closely with honorary consuls to sharpen Nepal’s economic diplomacy.

Speaking at an interactive workshop on Nepal’s export trade: status, challenges and possibilities, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Economic Diplomacy Division and the HCCN in Chandragiri, Kathmandu, Dhakal said Nepal should leverage its 64 honorary consuls to drive development, noting that they already promote trade, tourism, investment and cooperation abroad at no cost to the state.

“Treat the HCCN not as formal envoys but as economic diplomats,” he added, highlighting their role in disaster relief and as bridges to the global economy.

Welcoming MoFA’s newly formed Economic Diplomacy Division, Dhakal predicted better coordination among the government, the HCCN, the private sector and diplomatic missions. He stressed that economic diplomacy extends beyond trade to encompass employment, technology, branding and tourism.

Stating that private sector contributes more than 81% of GDP and generates 86% of employment, the FNCCI President said businesses seek respect, recognition and a seat at the decision-making table rather than financial aid. He added that trade conferences held during the prime minister’s visits to India, China and the UAE have unlocked new investment opportunities and could be staged more frequently with MoFA’s support.