FNCCI president, Spanish Chamber executive discuss Nepal–Spain economic cooperation

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal met Spanish Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Imaculada Riera Rene at the FNCCI Secretariat in Kathmandu. The meeting focused on economic cooperation, trade, investment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and long-term partnerships between Nepal and Spain.

During the meeting, Dhakal emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral ties through the private sector, noting that collaboration with Spain could bring technology, capital and experience to the Nepali market. He affirmed the private sector’s full readiness for such cooperation.

Expressing gratitude for the initial draft of the proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU), Dhakal said he was confident it would lay the foundation for a shared vision and enduring partnership. He added that both sides would sign the MoU shortly after a detailed review.

“This proposed MoU covers practical aspects such as trade promotion, investment, market information exchange, delegation support and co-operation among SMEs, which are all positive,” Dhakal said. He predicted that the agreement would become a powerful platform for joint investment, technical co-operation and knowledge-sharing.

Dhakal also observed that the MoU would help Spanish businesses understand Nepal more easily and enable Nepali enterprises to use Spain as a gateway to Europe. He highlighted SMEs as the backbone of both economies and pointed to recent policy reforms in Nepal that had created ample opportunities for foreign investors. He identified tourism, infrastructure, hydropower, renewable energy, agricultural processing and information technology as sectors with significant potential for Spanish investment.

Imaculada Riera Rene described Nepal’s investment opportunities as very attractive and expressed a strong desire to deepen business cooperation. She said tourism, technology, agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure offered particular promise. Rene added that the MoU would elevate private sector coordination and trust between the two countries to a new level.

Both parties agreed that joint initiatives were essential to deepen economic ties and that business communities would benefit from shared programmes and collaborations.

Former FNCCI President Chandi Raj Dhakal and FNCCI treasurer Bharat Raj Acharya also attended the meeting. In June, during a Spanish programme led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s delegation, Dhakal had invited Rene to visit Nepal.