Speech delivered by Rt. Hon. Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari, President of Nepal at the Nepal-China Economic and Trade Forum,
Beijing, 28 April 2019
Distinguished Business Leaders of Nepal and China,
Friends from Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am happy to address the joint meeting of business community of Nepal and China. I sincerely thank the organizers for hosting this very important event on the occasion of my State visit to this close friendly country.
Nepal and China are neighbours and close friends, sharing a long history of friendship and cooperation. Geography, culture and traditions bind our two countries and peoples.
We are trustworthy friends. We have been faithfully conducting our relations on the basis of the ‘Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence’. Our relations are trouble-free.
Our commitment to One China policy is strong and unshakable. We have taken concrete measures to ensure that our territory is not used for any activities directed against China.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have settled political issues through the promulgation of a progressive constitution in September 2015. It has ended decade-long political transition.
We have a stable government, which is the strongest in the history of Nepal. The Government has a clear vision, agenda and direction of the development of the country.
Economic transformation is our priority agenda. We have to move fast to realize people’s ever exorbitant expectations. We do not have luxury to waste time and energy. ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ is our national resolve. Our development efforts keep our people at the centre.
Dear friends,
Our development challenges are huge and manifold. Our country is endowed with both natural and human resources. But we lack adequate material resources and technology to tap development potentials. Therefore, we need support and cooperation of international community including neighbours to realize our national resolve.
China is our most trusted and reliable development partner. Government and the people of Nepal always appreciate the Government and the people of China for their continued support and assistance to the socio-economic development endeavours of Nepal.
BRI has opened the additional windows of opportunities for investment. I would like to urge the Chinese entrepreneurs and businessmen to tap its benefits.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have an-investment friendly environment in Nepal. Political stability has ensured policy stability and security of the investors.
Comprehensive reforms related to policy, structural and procedural matters have been undertaken for investment protection. Process of reform will continue.
We are going to operationalize one stop centre soon to facilitate foreign investors. At present, tax regime in Nepal is liberal and predictable.
Multinationals companies working in Nepal are making good return of their investment. This confirms that Nepal is an attractive destination for investment.
Last month, Nepal successfully hosted Investment Summit. Let me happily share with you that presence of the Chinese entrepreneurs was the largest in the Summit.
We welcome substantial Chinese investment in every sector. Protection of investment is our responsibility. We have accorded top priority to facilitate Chinese investment in Nepal.
Government of Nepal has announced the year 2020 as Visit Nepal Year. We expect qualitative rise in the number of tourists from our next door neighbour, China.
If a large number of Chinese tourists can make their holidays in faraway lands, why cannot Nepal be made the most favoured destination? Chinese friends will not miss their homes while in Nepal.
We need your cooperation for greater publicity of Nepal as a tourist destination. We welcome investment in tourism infrastructure.
Against this backdrop, I would like to request the Chinese investors to confidently invest in and transfer technology to Nepal and reap the benefit.
Thank you, Xie Xie!