Thursday, December 12, 2019

France urged to encourage private sector to invest in Nepal

Nepal requested France to encourage its private sector to explore opportunities in the Nepali market given the political stability, policy and institutional reforms and a business-friendly environment lately.
During the first Bilateral Consultation Mechanism held in Kathmandu today, the French side also stressed on the need to enhance Nepal’s competitive edge, including through branding its organic products. The meeting also agreed to provide cooperation towards making the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) a success.
The Bilateral Consultation Mechanism – at the foreign ministry level – has been formed to reviewing the bilateral relations and sharing views on regional and international issues of common interest on a regular basis between Nepal and France. The joint secretary of Foreign Ministry Nirmal Raj Kafle and ambassador of France to Nepal Francois Xavier Leger signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), on behalf of their respective governments, in Kathmandu this morning, to form the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism. On the occasion, foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and the Nepali and French delegates to the first meeting of the mechanism were present. The foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and director for Asia and Oceania of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Thierry Mathou led their respective delegations to the meeting.
During the meeting, the two sides also took stock of all aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on further promoting cooperation between the two countries. They also shared views on the importance of continuing the exchange of high level visits, in the context of the successful visit of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to France this June.
The two sides, on the occasion, also discussed the various ways and means of enhancing economic partnership, including in the areas of trade, tourism and investment, and promoting people-to-people contacts. “They discussed on matters of regional and international importance during the meeting,” a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry reads. “The two ministries agreed to further engage in several issues of common interest such as Climate Change and the UN Peacekeeping,” it reads, adding that France will positively consider its meaningful participation in Sagarmatha Sambaad – international dialogue dedicated to important issues of Climate Change and its effects on mountains – going to be organised by Nepal.
Prior to the meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, director Mathou paid a courtesy call on Gyawali at the latter’s office..

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