Suraj Vaidya elected dean of Honorary Consular Corps Nepal

KATHMANDU: Suraj Vaidya, president of Vaidya's Organization of Industry & Trading Houses (VOITH), has been elected unopposed as dean of the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCCN) at a general meeting in Kathmandu.

Vaidya, former president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and honorary consul of the Philippines, succeeds Bhola Thapa, Nepal-based honorary consul for Bulgaria. At the same meeting, Pasang Dawa Sherpa was elected as vice-dean of HCCN.

Vaidya brings long-standing experience from Nepal’s industrial sector through his family’s six-decade-old business group, which operates as the official distributor of Toyota vehicles and has expanded into the cement and hospitality sectors.

Following his appointment, Vaidya said his main priorities will be bringing foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nepal, promoting tourism, and strengthening economic diplomacy. In a press statement issued on Thursday after assuming the role, he said he would actively move to expand economic cooperation and make relations between Nepal and the international community more effective.

Noting that HCCN currently represents more than 64 countries worldwide, Vaidya said those nations contribute significantly to the global economy, trade, technology, innovation, tourism, and investment. He pointed out that expanding Nepal’s relations with these countries—which account for a combined population of over 5 billion and an economic size of more than $100 trillion—presents a major opportunity for national economic development.

He emphasised that economic diplomacy has become increasingly critical as Nepal seeks to attract investment, create jobs, expand tourism, and increase international trade. He added that honorary consuls act as a bridge for cooperation not only government-to-government but also among the private sector, investors, entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and communities.

During his tenure, HCCN will work alongside the Government of Nepal, relevant ministries, constitutional bodies, and the private sector to deepen ties with the nations it represents. The initiative aims to bring in high-quality foreign investment, boost tourism, encourage technology and knowledge transfer, expand trade and market access, and strengthen educational and cultural exchanges.

Vaidya expressed HCCN’s readiness to mobilise its international network, experience, and goodwill, and committed to working with diplomatic partners, business leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen Nepal’s international image and contribute to building a prosperous, globally connected country. He also thanked HCCN members for their trust and acknowledged the contributions of the immediate past dean and former leadership in developing the organisation.