NICCI hosts discussion program with CII Business Leaders Mission to Nepal

CII Business Leaders Mission to Nepal led by Mr. A.P. Mull was in Kathmandu from 9th to 11th September 2009 met Rt Honourable Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal, Honourable Commerce & Supplies Minister Mr. Rajendra Mahato, other dignitaries of the Government of Nepal, business community of Nepal. In honour of the Mission, Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) hosted discussion program among the CII Mission, NICCI Members, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Supplies (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), Federation of Nepalese Small & Cottage Industries (FNSCI), Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN), Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Nepal Freight Forwarders’ Association (NEFFA), Nepal Goods Carriers Association (NGCA) on Thursday, 10th September 2009 in Kathmandu. The Mission was composed of Hydropower sector, Infrastructure, Container and Terminal Service, Engineering, Logistic Supports, Education, Communication, Health/Medical, Herbal, Steel and Poultry Feeds.

In the program, replying the welcome remarks of NICCI President, indicating at the alarming trade deficit of Nepal with India, Mr. A.P. Mull, leader of the CII Business Leaders Mission to Nepal said –“Yes, we do share that the trade deficit of Nepal should be brought down. Like H.E. Ambassador has been suggesting that lets go ahead and power Nepal, when you power Nepal with the Hydropower, you will cut down your trade deficit with India and may be even with China, and any country you could supply the power too, specially like we were discussing today morning with the Prime Minister that there is perhaps a potential of 100 and 50 thousand MW, that is enormous. And once you have power you will have pollution free air. Still lot of things requires to be done when we come to public health and environment and climate issues, and there also the CII could help.”

Suggesting for concrete policies, Mr. Mull said “Apart from that, we discussed in lot of other sectors where there can be very close cooperation - like in agriculture, steel, education, and lot of others. Yes, there are issues, there are uncertainties but what we have requested that the political parties, the government may come up with a common policies related to these sectors that should remain constant and they should endure beyond the government. It’s only when there is certainty with regards to policies that investors are convinced with the enduring policies will come and then economic growth could be possible. I mean we all realize that you can not trade with somebody who is not your equal, there is no point because unless both grow, there is no benefit to either, both must grow, in fact all countries must grow” 

Earlier, welcoming the CII delegates, NICCI Members and business community of Nepal, President of NICCI Mr. Arun K Chaudhary said – “We have gathered here for a productive interaction rather than just limiting that to an intellectual exercise. During my short interaction with my friends from India you know I have observed that they were people who have come here to find business opportunity and at the same time, to have the definite answer to their questions rather than just assurances. We have invited today friends from both sides India and Nepal so that they can explore synergies and business possibilities. I should say I was overwhelmed when Mr. Sen told me Arun why don’t we talk about how can we reduce the trade gap between India and Nepal that’s spirit we are talking about.”

He said –“You know, there are immense possibilities in Nepal, may it be hydro, may it be education, may it be health etc. So what I feel is you know some sort of a joint position paper is prepared during this visit and identify the issue where urgent attention is required at both end Nepal and India and all the chambers work jointly to resolve it otherwise all these efforts according to me will futile.”

He further said, “I want to urge everybody to utilize NICCI, Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry as a platform to find answer to their queries. Let me remind you once again like I told you yesterday, we have problems but just need a paradigm shift in looking at it. Change is inevitable and when it happens the growth and development will have a quantum. Please remember despite of a global turn down, Nepal has shown an impressive market growth in many sectors. It is imperative to get convinced  that economic activity is the only way out to this crisis which Nepal is facing today.” Quoting the words of H.E. Ambassador Mr. Rakesh Sood - “ It is in India’s interest to have a prosperous Nepal as a neighbour” Mr. Chaudhary urged to make the discussion most interactive and productive.”

After welcome remarks and replies from the counterpart, there was a candid discussion among the business communities of India and Nepal regarding issues and prospects of multi-sectors business possibilities in Nepal.