Koshi CM, Israeli Ambassador discuss boosting agriculture & labor ties

KATHMANDU: Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki met today with Israel’s Ambassador to Nepal, Shmulik Ari Bass, at the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office in Biratnagar.

The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation between Nepal and Israel across key sectors such as agriculture, labor, employment, and health.

During the discussions, Chief Minister Karki highlighted the historic friendship between the two countries and emphasized the need to further strengthen bilateral ties.

He noted that many Nepali nationals work in Israel primarily in agriculture and caregiving (‘caregiver’) roles and stressed the importance of organizing and formalizing these work opportunities.

Recognizing Israel’s expertise in innovation and technology transfer, CM Karki expressed Koshi Province’s readiness to collaborate with the Israeli government.

He praised Israel’s advancements in modern agricultural techniques and underscored Koshi Province’s potential as a hub for agricultural production, signaling openness to partnerships that promote sustainable development.

The Chief Minister also outlined plans to promote entrepreneurship in agriculture by providing interest subsidies to attract youth to the sector.

He emphasized that equipping farmers with both theoretical and practical training could contribute significantly to economic growth through agriculture.

In addition, CM Karki requested Ambassador Bass to facilitate the release of Nepali youth, Bipin Joshi, stating, “The Koshi Province government appeals to His Excellency the Ambassador for efforts toward Joshi’s release.”

He also urged collaboration with local agricultural institutions, including Manmohan Technical University (Buddiganga, Morang) and Gauradaha Agriculture Campus (Jhapa), to advance the province’s agricultural initiatives.

Ambassador Bass acknowledged the long-standing and cordial relationship between Nepal and Israel, dating back to the tenure of Nepal’s first democratically elected Prime Minister, BP Koirala.

He highlighted abundant opportunities for Nepali workers in Israel’s caregiving and agricultural sectors and emphasized the importance of skill development to maximize the workforce’s potential.

Pointing to Israel’s significant progress in agriculture despite a relatively small workforce, Ambassador Bass suggested Nepal could achieve similar outcomes through modern technology and innovative practices.

He confirmed that the Israeli government is ready to support agricultural collaboration with Koshi Province in the near future.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing optimism about expanding bilateral cooperation and leveraging expertise in agriculture, labor, and technology to benefit both nations.