NBCCI concludes 11th AGM; Chapagain re-elected as president

KATHMANDU: The 11th annual general meeting (AGM) of Nepal–Brazil Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI) concluded on Sunday. Chief guest, Brazilian Ambassador to Nepal Carlos Alberto Michaelsen den Hartog, opened the meeting.

The AGM elected a new executive committee under the chairmanship of Akhil Kumar Chapagain. The committee includes Bikram Rai, Cheng Agrawal and Vinay Upadhyaya as vice presidents, and Niraj Timilsina as general secretary.

Jyotsna Shrestha and Prem Pandey were picked as secretaries, Rakesh Shrestha treasurer, and Gokarna Lamichhane, Sher Bahadur KC, Bijay Chaudhary, Sushil Kadariya, Nirmal Raj Paudel, Lavaram Dahal and Phadindra Raj Giri executive members, according to the NBCCI.

On assuming the presidency, Chapagain said he was committed to making mutual trade, investment, technical cooperation and cultural relations between Nepal and Brazil more effective.

“We must now take bilateral trade with Brazil to a new stage. Nepali handicrafts, tea, textiles and tourism, and Brazil’s raw materials, agricultural technology and educational exchange can be beneficial for both sides,” he said.

Ambassador Hartog said his four-year term in Nepal had been unforgettable and that he would continue to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations between Nepal and Brazil, wherever he may be.

The AGM report highlighted the potential for Nepal to export agricultural products, handicrafts, ready-made garments and tourism services to Brazil. It also noted that importing raw materials, industrial equipment, technology, wine and food items from Brazil could make Nepali industries more competitive.

The event was attended by businesspeople, industrialists, embassy officials, diplomats, representatives of various organisations and NBCCI members.