Nepal, China discuss trade, investment

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Mar. 14: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Narayan Kaji Shrestha and vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the umbrella organisation of the Chinese government for foreign investment, Zhang Shaogang, held a meeting on Monday. 

In the courtesy meeting held at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the issues regarding trade and investment partnership were discussed. Wishing vice chair Zhang a successful visit, DPM Shrestha said that China was the second largest international trade partner of Nepal and it would always welcome Chinese investment in investment-friendly Nepal. 

DPM Shrestha pointed out the need to facilitate import and export by organising Kerung and Tatopani cross borders. He emphasised on moving forward according to the mutual understanding to reduce the existing huge trade deficit between the two countries. 

Stating that Nepal had strongly and firmly remained committed to One-China policy, DPM Shrestha congratulated President Xi Jinping for his third term and wished newly elected Prime Minister Li Qiang for successful tenure. 

Vice chairman Zhang said that though four-year-long COVID-19 pandemic had adversely affected China's foreign investment, it had become free from the infection now. He said that the Sino-Nepal exchange visits could not take place due to the pandemic, affecting the trade between the two countries. Stating that Nepal was an old and close friend of China, he said that the purpose of his visit was to bring more investment in Nepal.

He said that China would openly support Nepal if it came with an idea of ​​building a large-scale technology industry. He was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador Chen Song in the meeting.