FNCCI president, Israeli ambassador discuss expanding economic, labour ties

KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Anjan Shrestha and Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass met at the FNCCI Secretariat on Tuesday to discuss expanding economic, trade, investment and labour ties between Nepal and Israel.

Both sides urged greater private-sector involvement, investment promotion, innovation, technology transfer and business collaboration to deepen bilateral economic relations. They agreed on the need to renew an existing agreement between FNCCI and the Foundation of the Israeli Chamber of Commerce, which dates back to 1993.

Shrestha said Israel’s economic development offers lessons for Nepal and highlighted areas where Israeli experience could benefit Nepal, including agricultural modernisation, renewable energy, digital innovation and health.

FNCCI president praised employment opportunities Israel has provided for Nepali workers, particularly caregivers, and said the government-to-government (G2G) labour agreement has helped ensure transparent and safe foreign employment. He noted that Nepali workers have recently gone to Israel through institutional channels and that Israel’s interest in recruiting workers individually for home caregiving and the agricultural sector could open further opportunities for Nepali youth.

Shrestha added that political stability, ongoing policy reforms and efforts to simplify business procedures are making Nepal more attractive to foreign investors.

Ambassador Bass said Israel is willing to provide more employment opportunities to Nepali workers and called Israel a safe destination for Nepali women seeking caregiving roles. He said Israel is also interested in investing in Nepal, but Israeli investors seek legal clarity on investment security, double-taxation exemption, and the ease of repatriating profits.

Bass identified areas for expanded cooperation, including trade in cement, herbs and medicinal products, tea, and value-added agricultural goods, along with technology transfer and private-sector collaboration. Both parties expressed confidence that increased direct cooperation between industrialists and businesspeople of the two countries would create new opportunities for trade, investment and technology exchange.

FNCCI said it is ready to increase trade delegation exchanges, business-to-business meetings, joint investments and institutional partnerships, and pledged to act as a bridge between Nepali and Israeli business communities.