Distinguished Chief Guest, President Sunil KC, Hon'ble Minister of Finance of Nepal, Mr. Rameshore Khanal, Former Ambassador Mr. Manjeev S. Puri, Guest of Honour, Deputy Chief Mission of India to Nepal, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, Keynote Speaker, Dr. Bindu Lohani, President of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, President of Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Mr. Birendra Raj Pandey, Office bearers and members of NICCI, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Good afternoon.

It is a pleasure to be here with you today at the 31st Annual General Meeting of the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I thank NICCI for inviting me and giving me this opportunity to share a few thoughts on a very important partnership for Nepal’s economy.

First of all, I would like to sincerely congratulate NICCI for its consistent and meaningful work over the past three decades. NICCI has played a vital role in strengthening business relations between Nepal and India. Through regular dialogue, policy advocacy, business forums and practical support to investors and traders, NICCI has helped build trust between the private sectors of our two countries. NICCI has been a strong bridge between governments and businesses, and this role is more important today than ever before.

Nepal and India share a unique relationship. We have open borders, deep cultural ties and a long history of economic cooperation. India is Nepal’s largest trading partner and one of the biggest sources of investment. Many Nepali businesses depend on India for raw materials, technology, logistics and market access. At the same time, Nepal offers India opportunities in hydropower, tourism, agro-processing, manufacturing and services. NICCI has helped both sides understand these opportunities better and turn them into real partnerships.

I would also like to appreciate NICCI for focusing not only on big businesses but also on small and medium enterprises. MSMEs are the backbone of our economy. When they grow, jobs are created and local economies become stronger. NICCI’s efforts to support MSMEs, promote joint ventures and encourage cross-border investments deserve special recognition.

From the perspective of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, we see Nepal-India economic cooperation as a key pillar for Nepal’s growth. FNCCI works closely with the Government of Nepal to improve the business and investment environment and we also engage actively with our counterparts in India. We strongly believe that closer private sector cooperation can help both countries benefit from regional and global value chains.
Nepal today is at an important stage of economic transition.

The government is giving priority to economic growth and private sector-led development. There is growing focus on improving laws, policies and procedures related to investment, trade and industry. Recent reforms aim to make doing business easier, more transparent and more predictable.
Nepal offers attractive investment opportunities. Our hydropower potential is well known and cross-border energy trade with India is already becoming a reality. Tourism is another major area, with opportunities in hotels, resorts, cable cars, wellness centres and adventure tourism. Agro-processing, IT and digital services, manufacturing and infrastructure development also offer strong potential. With the right partnerships, these sectors can grow faster and create long-term value. At the same time, we are aware of the challenges. Issues related to logistics, trade facilitation, regulatory clarity and access to finance still need attention. FNCCI continues to raise these issues with the government and we are encouraged that the government listens to the voice of the private sector. Strong platforms like NICCI help ensure that concerns related to bilateral trade and investment are discussed in a constructive way.

Looking ahead, I believe there is great scope to deepen Nepal-India business cooperation. We should focus more on value-added trade, joint manufacturing, technology transfer and skill development. We should also encourage more Indian investment in Nepal and support Nepali
businesses to integrate better with Indian supply chains. Regular dialogue, like the one NICCI promotes, is essential for this. I would once again like to congratulate NICCI on successfully completing 31 years of service to the business community. I also extend my best wishes for the success of this AGM. FNCCI remains committed to working closely with NICCI to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation between Nepal and India.

I wish you all a very productive meeting and continued success in the years ahead.

Thank you.