Nepal & Vietnam strengthen ties through tourism, agriculture & trade initiatives

KATHMANDU: In a significant step towards enhancing bilateral ties, Nepal and Vietnam convened at the Soaltee Hotel in Kalimati, Kathmandu, for a high-level meeting.

The meeting, was attended by esteemed delegates including His Excellency Mr. Nguiyen Thanh Hai, Ambassador of Vietnam to Nepal, Dr. Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, Honorary Consul of Nepal in Vietnam, and Mr. Deepak Kumar Malhotra, President of the Nepal-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industries, aimed at fostering collaboration in key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and trade.

Both nations expressed mutual interest in boosting tourism, with a focus on increasing Vietnamese tourist arrivals to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Discussions also centred around leveraging Vietnam’s expertise in agriculture to support Nepal’s agricultural development. The meeting highlighted the importance of enhancing information technology to facilitate smoother trade between the two countries.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the agreement to launch a food processing project in Nepal with support from Vietnam, aimed at enhancing food security and promoting economic growth in Nepal.

Looking ahead, a Nepali delegation is scheduled to visit Vietnam in August 2024 to further discuss with the representative of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the representative of the Government of Vietnam, regarding initiatives such as direct air services between the two countries and streamlining international transit flights in Vietnam to facilitate easier travel and enhance investment opportunities. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai expressed his commitment to facilitate the initiative as soon as possible.

The meeting also marked the commitment of both nations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their bilateral relations with various programs and discussions throughout the year.