Frist of all I like congratulate & extend best wishes for the success of 31st annual general meeting of Nepal India chamber of commers & industry.

Nepal India chamber of commerce &industry is a platform that has consistently promoted bilateral trade investment and economic co-operation between our two countries. NICCI has played a vital role as a bridge- connecting policy with practice entrepreneurs with opportunities and ideas with implementation. Nepal & India share a deeply interlinked Economic ecosystem. India remains Nepal's largest trading partner the biggest source of investment and a key collaboration in energy connectivity, technology and manufacturing. But more importantly, our business communities share trust built over decades

Today this partnership stands at a turning point with tremendous opportunities emerging in areas that were unthinkable just a few years ago. The global economic landscape is shifting rapidly. Supply chains are being reshaped, digital trade is expanding, and renewable energy is becoming a main focus for investment decisions. For Nepal & India, these changes bring exceptional opportunities in:
● Hydropower & energy trade
● Transport & digital connectivity
● Investment & technology partnership

Nepal offers a unique opportunity in:
● IT & digital services
● Agro processing
● Tourism & hospitality
● Startup collaboration & innovation ecosystem
● Manufacturing relocation

NICCI can play a catalytic role in channeling these investments effectively. While opportunities are expanding, challenges remain and must be tackled with honesty & urgency.
a. High logistics costs & procedural delays still burden cross-border trade.
b. Policy unpredictability discourages long-term investment.
c. Limited harmonization of standards create avoidable trade barriers.
d. non-tariff barriers still remain a major obstacle to Nepali exports.

In spite of continuous willingness to address these issues by both governments of Nepal & India, NICCI’s voice is essential to ensure reforms which are grounded in practical realities. Recent announcements of the Reserve Bank of India that authorized Indian Bank to extend Indian rupee-denominated loans to business communities in Nepal will facilitate Nepali businesses to access credit in INR, which can be used for trade financing & working capital needs. Similarly, the Reserve Bank of India has amended rules to allow high-denomination Indian rupee (INR) notes to circulate between Nepal & India, ending a long-standing restriction where only INR 100 or lower could be legally carried or used across the border.

I extend our heartfelt thanks & gratitude to the Reserve Bank of India for these facilitating notifications. I appreciate and encourage NICCI to continue fostering trust, deepening engagement & shaping policies that strengthen this partnership.

Ladies & Gentlemen,
Nepal–India relationship is not just a diplomatic bond — it is a commercial partnership generated from people-to-people relationships, a cultural & religious connection, and a shared aspiration for a better future.

Let us work together to transform challenges into opportunities and opportunities into shared prosperity.

Wishing NICCI a successful AGM and a visionary year ahead.

Thank you.