KATHMANDU, Nov. 3: Nepal and Pakistan have called for stronger economic cooperation, increased trade and investment, and greater private sector engagement to deepen their long-standing bilateral relations.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Mohammad Aamir Khan, at Chamber Bhawan on Monday, according to the NCC.
Agrawal said that despite maintaining friendly relations since establishing diplomatic ties on March 20, 1960, Nepal and Pakistan had failed to expand economic cooperation to its expected level. Although the two countries signed a bilateral trade agreement in 1982 and established a Joint Economic Commission in 1983, trade between them remains limited, he said.
Calling for concrete economic outcomes from existing diplomatic ties and agreements, Agrawal stressed the need to increase direct business contacts, improve market access and encourage joint investments and partnerships between the private sectors of both countries.
He identified export opportunities for Nepali tea, large cardamom, ginger, medicinal herbs, essential oils and processed agricultural products in the Pakistani market. According to him, Nepali products could gain a stronger foothold in Pakistan if their quality, packaging, branding, certification and regular supply were ensured.
Agrawal also pointed to Pakistan’s experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and textiles as areas from which Nepal could benefit. He suggested exploring cooperation in pharmaceutical production, medical equipment, healthcare services, technical training, research and joint investment.
Ambassador Khan said Pakistan attaches considerable importance to its relations with Nepal. Despite the two countries sharing historical and cultural links and strong people-to-people connections, their economic ties have not developed as expected, he said.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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