FNCCI holds talks with MNBC to boost trade, investment

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) held a discussion with a visiting delegation from the Malaysia–Nepal Business Council (MNBC) to explore expanding business relations, investment and mutual cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting held at the FNCCI Secretariat in Teku, Kathmandu, on Thursday, focused on possibilities for Nepal–Malaysia bilateral trade, investment promotion, tourism expansion and development of the construction, agriculture, energy, information technology and service sectors. FNCCI officials outlined opportunities for enhanced collaboration.

Speaking at the event, FNCCI Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha said that Nepal prioritises regional cooperation through organisations such as BIMSTEC and SAARC, and seeks to reduce its trade deficit with Malaysia by increasing exports and attracting further investment. He added that the Malaysian private sector could play significant role in linking Nepal with ASEAN, the South-East Asian economic group.

Highlighting Nepal’s favourable investment climate, Senior Vice President Shrestha stated that the Government of Nepal has recently amended eight investment-related acts to create investment-friendly environment. “The Council of Ministers has approved the framework for bilateral investment agreements and our foreign-exchange reserves are robust,” he said. “Under these conditions, FNCCI stands ready to facilitate investment into Nepal.”

FNCCI Vice President Jyotsna Shrestha identified additional areas for Nepal–Malaysia cooperation, including tourism, agriculture, health, education, human resources and information technology.

Similarly, FNCCI Treasurer Bharat Raj Acharya observed that recent policy reforms have further improved Nepal’s investment climate and assured that FNCCI remains prepared to assist Malaysian businesses in investing and expanding trade in Nepal.

The Malaysian delegation was led by MNBC President Pardip Kumar Kukreja, who remarked on the significant potential for investment and trade between Nepal and Malaysia. “I am aware of opportunities for trade and investment between our countries. Malaysia has made strides in infrastructure development, information technology and tourism. Collaboration with Nepal is viable in these fields, and if the government and businesses here wish, MNBC is ready to provide the necessary facilitation,” he said.

Nepali industrialists and businesspeople urged Malaysian investors to capitalise on Nepal’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and strategic location, particularly in the tourism and infrastructure sectors. Meanwhile, representatives of the Malaysian delegation emphasised the potential of Nepal’s tourism sector and the prospect of introducing Malaysian technology and expertise to Nepal.