FNCCI president, Russian ambassador discuss taking economic cooperation to a new phase
KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has stressed the need to advance economic and trade relations between Nepal and Russia to a new phase.
During a meeting with the Russian ambassador to Nepal, Aleksei Vladimirovich Surovestov, at the FNCCI secretariat in Teku on Saturday, FNCCI President Anjan Shrestha pointed out the potential to increase the export of Nepali goods to the Russian market. He also highlighted opportunities to bring Russian investment into Nepal's hydropower, tourism, infrastructure, and technology sectors.
Shrestha noted that because the current volume of bilateral trade is relatively small, priority must be given to direct contact between the private sectors, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, and the identification of commercial opportunities.
FNCCI President Shrestha emphasised the need to organise a business forum or council meeting in the near future. This will be achieved by reactivating the cooperation established in 2011 between the FNCCI and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.
On the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Russia, Ambassador Surovestov said Russia is keen to transform their long-standing friendship into effective economic and commercial cooperation.
The ambassador indicated that Russian support could be expanded in areas prioritised by Nepal for its economic development and prosperity. He also expressed a positive view on increasing contact and dialogue between the private sectors of the two nations.
Both FNCCI president and the Russian ambassador highlighted tourism as a crucial channel for expanding economic relations. They also stressed the need for continuous dialogue between the government and private sectors to resolve practical complications concerning geographical distance, transport costs, and payment systems.
High-ranking officials from the embassy and the director general of FNCCI were among those present at the gathering.
